Application Guidance

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact nzps@northumbria.ac.uk

General Application Information:

• Each applicant is only allowed to apply once and select must select one project to apply to.
• You will apply for a PhD under the supervision of a specific supervisory team, and your application will need to clearly state which project you are interested in and why
• We recommend that all applicants contact the lead supervisor of their first choice project to check that you are interested in the proposed topic and to discuss the proposal with the supervisor. We normally suggest contacting the supervisor via email first and arranging a meeting with them (online or in person). 
• If you are trying to decide between multiple projects, contacting more than one potential supervisor is fine.
• Lead supervisors for each project will be involved in the selection process.
• If you are invited to an interview, we will ask you to expand on your interest in your first choice project as part of the recruitment process.
• We will try to offer successful candidates their first-choice project after interviews, but some candidates may be matched with another supervisory team and offered an alternative project. 
• Some project proposals have already been developed alongside external partners or with support from industry, but for other projects we may be able to organise new collaborations depending on what you are interested in.

Required application documents:

Applications should be made by completing and submitting this form and emailing the following documents to nzps@northumbria.ac.uk by 17.00 (GMT) on 7th January 2026 (DEADLINE EXTENDED TO 09.00 GMT Monday 12 January 2026).

This programme has now closed for applications for 2026.

• Copies of your relevant university degree transcripts and certificates
• A copy of your IELTS or TOEFL English language certificate (where required)
• A copy of your passport (photo page)
• A 2-page CV.

Format guide for application documents:

• Each document should be submitted as a separate attachment and should be named as follows: [candidate surname, candidate forename – [document]]. For example: Smith, Annie – BSc transcript.
• Please submit .pdf documents where possible for your transcripts and certificates.
• Do not combine documents into one pdf. You may zip separate documents into a zip file to send via email if required.
• When emailing your application, please use the email subject header: NZPS Application 2026_candidate surname, candidate forename

Applications not meeting these criteria may be rejected.

Personal statement guidance:

A structured personal statement will be requested as part of the application form. We will ask the following questions:

• Why do you want to undertake doctoral research? (500 character limit)
• What attracted you to the Net Zero Polar Science Doctoral Training Programme (DTP)? (500 character limit)
• Why did you select your first choice of research project and the associated supervisory team? (1000 character limit)
• What skills and experiences have prepared you for PhD research? (2000 character limit) Please provide evidence of how your knowledge, understanding, skills and experiences in education, research, work or life have prepared you for the PhD project you are applying for. This section allows you to highlight aspects of your CV that are most relevant.

Additional optional question:

• Is there anything that you would like to tell us about personal circumstances that might have affected your application? (500 character limit)

References are not requested at the point of application. The referees you list as part of your application may be contacted to provide a reference if you are invited to interview. If you are offered a studentships after interview, you will be asked to directly enrol via your Home institutions application systems. You may also be asked to provide references at this point.