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Role of ditch networks in agricultural landscapes to mitigate flooding and diffuse pollution

This project is part of the NERC-funded Centre for Doctoral Training, ECOWILD. For more details, and for a full list of projects offered under this programme, please visit: 

The agricultural landscape is a patchwork of different land covers. Fields are often separated by artificial drainage ditches, dug historically to make land more productive. However, as we move to more balanced multi-functional landscapes, with a greater emphasis on ecosystem services, the role these ditches play is crucial at a network and catchment scale. Management and maintenance e.g. vegetation cutting, ditch blocking, can provide flood and water quality control. This project brings together expertise in relevant topics in an experienced and supportive supervisor team to investigate the problems/stressors, hydrological functioning, and management solutions that ditches can provide in agricultural landscapes.

The project will provide opportunity for the student to gain knowledge and skills relating to agricultural and ditch systems. Fieldwork skills will be developed to collect a range of hydrological and chemical related data, including experimental design, fieldwork campaign planning and sensor technology aspects. There is also opportunity for the student to develop numerical modelling skills e.g. hydrological/hydraulic models, to upscale from local ditches to ditch networks and catchment scale impacts. Most importantly, the project will provide the relaxed environment for the student to be creative, show initiative and build confidence in their ability to lead a research project.

Most hydrological studies on ditches focus on local scale processes and impacts. The novelty of this PhD is the focus on ditches as a network and system rather than isolated features. Questions such as (1) how water propagates through the network, in terms of lag times and flow volumes, are important in understanding how they function; (2) how ditches contribute water to main watercourses, where, when and what relative proportions? will allow greater understanding of the system; and (3) how ditches can be used as Nature-based Solutions, and how their design, management and maintenance can optimise these functions.

Flood Risk and watercourse pollution are growing challenges in the 21st century due to climate change, agricultural intensification and urbanisation stressors. Ditches may look small, minor components of a river network, but dynamic expansion during storms results in them acting as rapid conveyors of large amounts of water, pollutants and sediment from over a wide proportion of catchments into main rivers causing flooding and related problems downstream. Flooding damages alone are up to £1.1billion per year on average in the UK. Nature-based Solutions, such as managing ditches, can help mitigate these challenges and work with nature to develop sustainable solutions.

We recognise that not every talented researcher will have had the same opportunities to advance their careers. We therefore will account for any particular circumstances that applicants disclose (e.g. parental leave, caring duties, part-time jobs to support studies, disabilities etc.) to ensure an inclusive and fair recruitment process.

Essential Skills:

·        Field-based skills

·        Modelling

·        Communication skills across a broad range of stakeholders

It is noted that you don鈥檛 need experience of all three of these skills as the project is flexible to work with the successful student to tailor it to their experience, current skills and interests, providing training opportunities to address any needs.

Supervisors

Dr Ian Pattison 鈥� Heriot Watt University

Professor Chris Spray 鈥� Tweed Forum

Dr Kelly Redeker 鈥� University of York

We will be holding a 鈥淢eet the Supervisor鈥� event on Tuesday 29th April at 11am BST for any interested applicants to ask any questions and find out more about the project. Please join us on this MS Teams link Meeting ID: 369 164 639 430 Passcode: qE9Jw7cj  

For more information on how to apply, please visit the ECOWILD website: 

Project specific enquiries: 

General enquiries: ecowild@hw.ac.uk

Funding

This is a full scholarship which will cover tuition fees for Home students and provide an annual stipend in line with UKRI recommended levels (currently £19,795 in 2024-25) for the 44 months duration of the project.

International candidates may apply but if successful, will need to demonstrate that they (or their supervisory team) have co-funding to cover the difference between home and international fees to be eligible. The difference in fees varies by programme. The current difference for 2024/25 academic year is approximately £20,000 per year.

Eligibility

This project is available to home and overseas students. International candidates may apply but if successful, will need to demonstrate that they (or their supervisory team) have co-funding to cover the difference between home and international fees to be eligible. The difference in fees varies by programme. The current difference for 2024/25 academic year is approximately £20,000 per year.

Applicants typically should have a first or upper second-class honours degree or equivalent in an appropriate subject and preferably a relevant Masters鈥� qualification or similar experience.

We recognise that not every talented researcher will have had the same opportunities to advance their careers. We therefore will account for any particular circumstances that applicants disclose (e.g. parental leave, caring duties, part-time jobs to support studies, disabilities etc.) to ensure an inclusive and fair recruitment process. For any informal enquiry regarding project,

English Language Requirements

Overseas students must be able to provide proof of their ability in the English language.

We require an IELTS certificate showing an overall score of at least 6.5 with no component scoring less than 6.0, or a TOEFL certificate with an overall score of at least 85, including reading 20, listening 19, speaking 20 and writing 21. Alternatively, if you have received an English-taught Bachelors or Masters degree from one of the countries listed on the  under 鈥榃ho does not need to prove their knowledge of English鈥�, and it was obtained less than five years from your intended start date, you should provide evidence of your award that clearly states it was delivered and assessed in English language.

Timelines

The closing date for applications is 5pm GMT Monday 12th May, and applicants must be available to start in October 2025.