Research projects can range from ‘blue sky’ science to applied research addressing pressing societal and environmental problems. You will gain knowledge in research design as well as in management and communication.
The programme is supervised by research-active scientists across multiple disciplines, including physics, chemistry, biology, geology and social sciences. Research projects can be field based, desktop or in laboratories.
The programme is based at SAMS, an internationally recognised and vibrant multi-disciplinary centre of expertise in marine environmental science.
Funded PhD Projects
The following funded E5 Doctoral Training Partnership PhD projects will largely be based at SAMS and be supervised by SAMS Researchers. Please refer to the individual projects for full details.
Antarctic snow algae – consequences of lipid accumulation on photosynthesis and survival
Snow algae are microscopic photosynthetic organisms that form large blooms within snowpacks and are one of the major, but functionally least understood, terrestrial primary producer groups of the Antarctic flora.
Director of Studies and supervisory team: Matthew Davey (Scottish Association for Marine Science), Claudia Colesie (School of GeoSciences), Peter Convey (British Antarctic Survey).
Application deadline: 2nd December 2026 (12:00)
For full details and to apply please visit the E5 Doctoral Training Partnership project website.
Assessing the effects of changing nitrogen availability to diatoms along ocean biogeochemical gradients
This project will use observational and experimental datasets to test model predictions that future shifts in nitrogen speciation may reduce diatom abundance and alter food web structure.
Director of Studies and supervisory team: Supervisors: Robyn Tuerena (Scottish Association for Marine Science), Sian Henley (School of GeoSciences), Alex Poulton (Lyell Centre, Heriot-Watt University)
Application deadline: 2nd December 2026 (12:00)
For full details and to apply please visit the E5 Doctoral Training Partnership project website.
Carbon storage in a changing ocean
The project will study how effective are seagrass beds, fjord-like lochs, and cold-water coral skeletons in terms of C-storage by quantifying seafloor C-flux, respiration and organic-matter priming.
Director of Studies and supervisory team: Supervisors: Andrew Sweetman (Scottish Association for Marine Science), Sebastian Hennige (School of GeoSciences), Niall Burnside (Scottish Association for Marine Science)
Application deadline: 2nd December 2026 (12:00)
For full details and to apply please visit the E5 Doctoral Training Partnership project website.
SAMS Researchers form part of the supervisory teams for the following E5 DTP PhD projects
Southern Ocean carbon uptake, cycling and export in a changing climate
This project addresses a key question in marine and climate science by constraining carbon uptake, cycling and export in the Southern Ocean using a combination of novel and established methods.
Director of Studies and supervisory team: Sian Henley (School of GeoSciences), Lavenia Ratnarajah (University College London), Robyn Tuerena (Scottish Association for Marine Science)
Application deadline: 2nd December 2026 (12:00)
For full details and to apply please visit the E5 Doctoral Training Partnership project website.
How much ice is stored in the Antarctic periphery today?
This PhD project aims to quantify the present-day ice volume and bed topography of the Antarctic periphery, determine the main sources of uncertainty in these estimates, and identify where future observational campaigns would most effectively reduce that uncertainty in bed topography.
Director of Studies and supervisory team: Beatriz Recinos Rivas (School of GeoSciences), Robert Bingham (School of GeoSciences), Daniel Goldberg (School of GeoSciences), Alison Cook (Scottish Association for Marine Science)
Application deadline: 2nd December 2026 (12:00)
For full details and to apply please visit the E5 Doctoral Training Partnership project website.
Self-funded PhD Projects
We are open to talk to prospective students who have an idea for a PhD research project that sits well within our research areas and who are able to fund the project themselves.
VISIT OUR ADVICE PAGE ON SELF-FUNDED PhDS AT SAMS
Many PhDs come with full studentships, which cover fees and living expenses, so that students can focus on their research and be expected to complete their studies in 3 or 3.5 years.
Self-funded students will require to have approximately £20,000* per year for living expenses to be in line with RCUK doctoral stipends on top of the fees.
For UHI PhD projects, click here for the current fees.*
*FEES AND COSTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE ANNUALLY
Most of our PhD projects are registered through the University of the Highlands and Islands, and this page outlines the application procedure for UHI PhDs. Please note that we have several other doctoral training partnerships - most notably with the University of Edinburgh, and applications to these programmes follow procedures by other universities. Information regarding these can be found on the individual project adverts.
We adhere strictly to equality and diversity policies during all phases of recruitment so that we find the most talented and motivated students to join us.
Eligibility
To be eligible to study for a PhD at SAMS UHI, who need to possess - in a relevant discipline and from a reputable institution:
- A Master's qualification and / or
- A Bachelor degree with first class or upper second class honours and / or
- Another qualification or substantial experience that demonstrates your academic competence to complete doctoral training successfully (to be approved by the UHI Research Degrees Committee on the recommendation of the SAMS Director).
- Additionally, international students whose first language is not English and who do not hold a prior degree obtained in English must hold an IELTS qualification with a score of 6 or over in every section with a minimum score of 6.5 overall (6+ in writing), gained within two years prior to your registration date.
How to Apply
Most importantly you need to have identified an approved PhD project (including a Director of Studies / supervisory team) that you are unquestionably excited by. This can be a ready made project advertised on these pages OR a proposal you have developed with a SAMS supervisor and have funding for.
If you wish to apply for an advertised studentship you will find this under the ‘Funded Projects’ tab. Please complete the application form provided in the advertisement.
Return your completed application to the email stated on the form, accompanied by your cv and any supporting documentation listed below. Please submit your whole application as one pdf. Your referees should use the reference form provided and also return it to the email stated on the application form.
Supporting Documentation Required
The following documents should be emailed with your application and CV as one pdf file:
- Copies of all official qualification certificates and transcripts. If your official certificates/transcripts are not in English, they must be accompanied by a full certified translation provided by a professional translator/translation company.
- If English is not your native language, an English language test certificate (IELTS or equivalent), gained within the past two years;
- If you are not a UK national, a copy of the photo page of your passport. Also include any pages which indicate a right of abode in the UK;
- 2 academic references. If references are not available at the time of submission, they can be excluded from the single pdf file, however applicants are responsible for ensuring their referees submit the references to the email given on the application form by the deadline.
- If you wish to apply for more than one project, please submit separate applications.
Most PhD students will want to meet their potential supervisors to discuss the project, their personal suitability and to ascertain that they will be able to work together for a prolonged period of time.
For administrative issues, your first and main point of contact is the Postgraduate Academic Support Administrator who can be contacted by email to: phd@sams.ac.uk
The SAMS graduate school is convened by marine deep-sea ecologist and microplastic researcher, Professor Bhavani Narayanaswamy:
E: Bhavani.Narayanaswamy@sams.ac.uk T: +44 (0) 1631 559 305 (direct)
Learn more about our postgraduate community here.