University studentships support development of ideas and solutions that benefit the global ocean

The Solutions for the Marine Environment (SERVO) programme will fully fund projects addressing some of the planet’s most pressing challenges
Aerial view of Sargassum seaweed in Atlantic ocean
The University of Plymouth is creating a series of opportunities for early career researchers anywhere in the world to explore some of the major conservation issues of our time.
The Solutions for the Marine Environment (SERVO) PhD studentships will enable candidates to develop and pursue projects that have the potential to address some of the key challenges facing the global ocean.
This could be in topics ranging from marine pollution and maritime cyber security, to mitigating the effects of climate change and encouraging global shifts in human behaviour.
The programme will enable nine students to be enrolled on 3.5-year studentships, during which time they will get the opportunity to work alongside world-leading researchers aligned to the University’s Marine Institute.
Uniquely, in addition to topics suggested by academics, prospective PhD candidates will also be able to work with academics and industry partners to develop proposals of their own without having to seek external funding for their work.
This will enable the brightest students from anywhere in the world, and irrespective of their financial status, to help tackle global challenges.

Harnessing the ocean’s potential, while protecting it from further harm, requires imaginative solutions across a range of disciplines.

This programme will allow us to fund research by some of the planet’s most exciting young minds, and create a multidisciplinary and global team focusing on varying aspects of marine-related issues. By learning from our scientists, partners and each other, doctoral students will be able to take a systems thinking approach to develop solutions that will deliver positive and lasting global change. It is about the best candidates and the best solutions to some of the planet’s most pressing issues.

Richard Thompson OBE FRSProfessor Richard Thompson OBE FRS
Director of the Marine Institute

The SERVO programme is intended to fully fund three PhD studentships per year for three years, with the first candidates expected to begin their research projects in October 2025.
It is open to students from the UK and internationally, with funding available to fully cover their tuition fees in addition to financial support towards their living and research costs.
The supervisory team they work alongside should be led by a University academic, but also include leading national or international co-supervisors from relevant academia and/or industry.
This, it is hoped, will ensure the candidates not only advance scientific understanding but also explore ways their research can be factored into future policy and commercial decision-making.
The studentships have been made possible through a significant philanthropic donation, and complement a number of the University’s existing PhD programmes in being closely aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
They are all designed to support future generations of researchers who are developing solutions for the planet’s most pressing challenges.

The ocean is arguably our planet’s most precious resource.

It is of huge significance from an environmental and economic perspective, while also playing a critical role in global culture and society. Our researchers lead the world when it comes to advancing the appreciation and action that will ultimately preserve our ocean’s health. This innovative new scheme will enable us to inspire early career researchers to continue that work, and we are immensely grateful for the donation that has made it possible.

Judith Petts DBEProfessor Dame Judith Petts DBE
Emeritus Professor

Solutions for the Marine Environment (SERVO) PhD studentships

Developed by the Marine Institute , this programme aims to deliver progress on key global challenges that align with the Institute’s research priorities: towards net zero, sustainable blue economy, safe seas, healthy oceans, and digital ocean.
The call for project proposals for 2025 is now open.
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