ECOSOLUTIONS PhD Programme

About the project

S hape the future of a non-toxic environment.

Join the ECOSOLUTIONS PhD Programme.

Are you passionate about solving complex environmental challenges? Do you want to help create non-toxic environments that benefit society and nature alike? Do you want to see the bigger picture and be part of a PhD programme that embraces system level thinking? The NERC-funded ECOSOLUTIONS PhD Training Programme is your opportunity to make a difference!

ECOSOLUTIONS DFA recruitment for September 2027 is now open

Deadline for applications: 30th November 2026

Why ECOSOLUTIONS?

Led by the Universities of Sheffield and York and the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, ECOSOLUTIONS is a cutting-edge, transdisciplinary initiative. This innovative programme combines science, policy, and societal engagement to transform chemicals policy and management, enabling a safe, sustainable chemicals sector and non-toxic environments.

ECOSOLUTIONS will train the next generation of transdisciplinary, solution-focussed graduates that can apply systems-level thinking to facilitate the delivery of a non-toxic UK environment and a safe and sustainable chemicals products sector for environmental, economic and societal benefit.

Your PhD will be part of a cohort-based challenge that combines cutting-edge environmental science with approaches from other disciplines (natural, health and social sciences, engineering). You will deliver a new approach to chemicals assessment and management that moves from describing chemical risk to a solution-based, systems approach to prevent or manage both current and future pollution.

Cohort 1 (2025 start) will address the challenge of delivering a non-toxic urban environment.

Cohort 2 (2026 start) will address the challenge of delivering non-toxic rural landscapes and food systems.

Cohort 3 (2027 start) will address the challenge of delivering sustainable chemical design and development .

As part of the PhD programme, you’ll receive 3 years and 9 months of funding to focus on the urban challenges and take part in a dynamic training and development programme, including:

ECOSOLUTIONS graduates will be systems-focused innovators who can identify solutions to critical problems, can work across sectors and disciplines and have the competencies and confidence to pursue a career as an independent researcher in a wide range of sectors.

About

The ECOSOLUTIONS student journey

Partnerships

• Induction course: Connect with fellow students, supervisors, and the ECOSOLUTIONS team while exploring the programme’s mission.
• Primer course: Gain foundational knowledge on chemical impacts, policy landscapes, and sustainable chemical innovation.
• Transferable skills workshops: Master data management, big data methods, research practices, communication, and more.
• Systems-solutions workshops: Collaborate across disciplines to address urban chemical pollution and develop actionable solutions.
• Three-month secondment: Work with a partner organisation, applying your research in real-world contexts.
• International conferences: Share your findings and network with global experts.

Research areas