Improved extreme climate indices for food security risk analysis, NERC GW4+ DTP PhD studentship for September 2025 Entry Ref: 5405

Supervisors

Lead Supervisor Dan Bebber, University of Exeter, Biosciences

Additional Supervisors

Peter Falloon, Bristol University & Met Office, Biosciences 

Ben Youngman, University of Exeter, Mathematics 

Catherine Bradshaw, Met Office and University of Exeter, Geography 

Location:  Penryn Campus, University of Exeter

About the Partnership

This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding from the NERC Great Western Four+ Doctoral Training Partnership (GW4+ DTP). The GW4+ DTP consists of the Great Western Four alliance of the University of Bath, University of Bristol, Cardiff University and the University of Exeter plus five Research Organisation partners: British Antarctic Survey, British Geological Survey, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, the Natural History Museum and Plymouth Marine Laboratory. The partnership aims to provide a broad training in earth and environmental sciences, designed to train tomorrow’s leaders in earth and environmental science. For further details about the programme please see http://nercgw4plus.ac.uk/

For eligible successful applicants, the studentships comprises:

• An stipend for 3.5 years (currently £19,237 p.a. for 2024/25) in line with UK Research and Innovation rates
• Payment of university tuition fees;
• A research budget of £11,000 for an international conference, lab, field and research expenses;
• A training budget of £1,000 for specialist training courses and expenses.

Project details

For information relating to the research project please contact the lead Supervisor via d.bebber@exeter.ac.uk

Project Aims and Methods

The increasing occurrence and severity of extreme climate events globally poses significant challenges to agriculture and food security. However, there is a limited understanding of these impacts and how to quantify them effectively. While empirical approaches have been attempted and dynamic process-based models explored, both methods have shown limitations in accurately representing extreme event impacts on crop yields. Preliminary research by the supervisory team, which integrates production and trade data with novel agroclimatic indices, has highlighted the difficulties in accurately capturing yield shocks at the national level. 

This studentship aims to develop improved climate indices to assess extreme event impacts on agriculture, thereby supporting resilience and adaptation planning. The project will: (1) evaluate existing impact indices and models for their effectiveness in explaining changes in food security, (2) develop and demonstrate improved assessment methods using case studies across various geographies, and (3) apply these methods to future impact assessments to support risk management. UK crop yields will be the focus of the research, with opportunities to extend the analysis internationally. The project will also contribute to the enhancement of climate observations and models, with the student encouraged to develop their own research ideas within the project scope. 

Project partners

The Met Office will meet any extra expenses (travel, subsistence) incurred by the student while working at the Met Office. There is also time and expertise delivered by the two Met Office co-supervisors (Pete Falloon and Catherine Bradshaw). 

Training

The DTP offers funding to undertake specialist training relating to the student’s specialist area of research

Entry requirements

Applicants should have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK.  Applicants with a Lower Second Class degree will be considered if they also have Master’s degree. Applicants with a minimum of Upper Second Class degree and significant relevant non-academic experience are encouraged to apply.

All applicants would need to meet our English language requirements by the start of the project http://www.exeter.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply/english/.

The closing date for applications is Midnight 13th January 2025. Interviews will be held between 24 February and 7 March 2025.  

For more information about the NERC GW4+ DPT please visit https://nercgw4plus.ac.uk