NZPS Structure

A Doctoral Training Programme (DTP) provides students with skills and experiences in high-priority science areas within the remit of the primary funder, Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). NZPS is primarily funded by a NERC Doctoral Focal Award as it has a well-defined scientific focus and strong collaborative connections with non-academic partners. There are more career development opportunities, training options and cohort support than you could expect from a conventional PhD course.

With NZPS you will:

Be registered as a PhD student in one of our four partner universities. All students are supervised by at least two members of academic staff at different NZPS institutions. Co-supervisors can also join from external institutions and industry partners, offering further opportunities.

PhD topics will address carbon reduction in environmental science, covering all NERC science domains – atmospheric science, climate change, ecology, geosciences, environmental chemistry, hydrology, oceanography, cryosphere and terrestrial, marine, and freshwater environments – with a polar focus.

All of our PhD projects will also focus on one or more of our thematic focus areas: AI/Computing, Earth Observation, and Low-Carbon Technologies.

Undertake a cohort-level programme of events that includes a residential component. Although all students participate in cohort events, there is no grading and they do not count towards your PhD award.

Start your PhD research immediately, in parallel with the NZPS programme of events, which are weighted towards the first year.

Attend cohort network events, both online and face to face, will take place throughout your PhD period.

Training and events

We offer a distinctive programme of NZPS events designed to complement your wider career development. Throughout your training, you will gain subject specialist knowledge and learn collaboratively within your cohort. Several weeks in your first year are dedicated to these activities, with additional events delivered across subsequent years.

Core Components

Cohort events Residential workshops and student conferences build on the skills training provided by your home institution and focus on three core themes:

AI and Computing (e.g., numerical modelling, digital twins, data management and analysis, machine learning techniques)

Earth Observation (satellites and remote sensing methods)

Low carbon technologies (e.g., autonomous vehicles, platforms and sensors, renewable energy systems)

Career skills Delivered partly at cohort level and partly tailored to your individual development needs.

Peer learning A defining feature of a DTP, offering opportunities to share expertise through team-based activities, collaborative problem solving, and practices, such as peer review of research outputs.

Placement During years 2–3 of the NZPS DTP, our candidates will undertake a three-month placement with one of our partner organisations across a wide range of sectors or public sector agencies. See our Partners page for the current list of potential organisations.