Biosciences (Restoration Ecology) : Fully Funded PhD Studentship in Assessing and enhancing functional biodiversity in solar parks and ecological restoration projects (RS848)

Funding provider: Swansea University and Welsh Government

Subject areas: Restoration Ecology, Biodiversity, Population and Community Ecology 

Project start dates:

• 1st October 2025 (preferred) 
• 1st January 2026 (as required) 

Supervisors:  

• Dr Konstans Wells 
• Dr Aisling Devine 
• Dr Penny Neyland 
• Prof Luca Börger 

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Biological Sciences 

Mode of study: Full-time only (due to funding) 

Place of study: Faculty of Science & Engineering, Swansea University 

Project description:  
As part of the Restoration Ecology and Dynamics (READY) Doctoral Focal Award, we invite applications to the following PhD project: Assessing and enhancing functional biodiversity in solar parks and ecological restoration projects.

Solar parks are rapidly becoming a prominent feature in our landscapes, representing one of the most significant newly emerging changes in anthropogenic land-use. While their primary function is to generate renewable energy (at the cost of covering large areas with solar panels), there is growing recognition that solar parks also offer a unique opportunity to restore and enhance terrestrial biodiversity and ecosystem services. However, critical gaps remain in understanding how the design, structure, and landscape context of solar parks influence ecological communities, and how habitat enrichment strategies can be tailored for best conservation success. 

This PhD project will combine empirical fieldwork with cutting-edge spatio-temporal ecological modelling of systems dynamics to investigate: 

• The occurrence and distribution of species within and around solar parks, identifying key “winners and losers” in terms of biodiversity.
• How species interactions, including plant-pollinator networks, are structured across the heterogeneous habitats of solar parks.
• The functional diversity of birds, small mammals, and arthropods within solar parks and adjacent grassland habitats.
• Landscape-scale modelling to understand the interplay between species occurrence, conservation priorities, and the cost-benefit of various restoration strategies in the context of the broader regional biodiversity landscape.

A key component of this project will be the integration of cost-benefit analysis to assess the effectiveness of different restoration efforts, exploring their potential to meet both local and regional biodiversity conservation targets. The student will use advanced modelling techniques to predict how different solar park configurations could balance biodiversity gains with the practicalities of land-use and energy production. 

Training and Methodology: 
This project offers unique training in both field ecology and advanced ecological modelling. The successful candidate will: 

• Design and conduct field experiments in solar parks and other grasslands in Wales, monitoring plant-pollinator interactions, and the biodiversity of vertebrates and invertebrates.
• Conduct control greenhouse experiments to understand plant growth dynamics as relevant for the study system and model parameterisation
• Use spatial analysis tools (e.g., GIS, remote sensing), develop landscape-scale models and use statistical modelling techniques to integrate ecological data within conservation planning frameworks.
• Engage with stakeholders, including local authorities and industry partners, to ensure the practical applicability of the research findings.

Impact and Ambition: 
This PhD project aims to generate predictive modelling frameworks that will inform the design and management of solar parks to maximize their potential for biodiversity restoration. By developing innovative tools for spatial planning and ecological restoration, the research will directly contribute to meeting biodiversity conservation targets in Wales and other regions with similar land-use pressures. Placement opportunities will be available. 

Candidate Profile: 
We are seeking an ambitious and highly motivated candidate with a strong background in applied and quantitative ecology, environmental science, biology, or a related field. The ideal candidate will have an interest in ecological modelling, spatial analysis, and conservation planning, with experience in ecological fieldwork or quantitative data analysis being advantageous. Full training in field work techniques, ecological modelling and GIS will be provided by an interdisciplinary supervisor team.  

Funding duration – 4 years 

For more details please see here: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/postgraduate/scholarships/research/biosciences-fse-welsh-gov-phd-rs848.php