{"id":63292,"date":"2025-09-23T19:51:56","date_gmt":"2025-09-23T19:51:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/opportunitiesforyouth.org\/?p=63292"},"modified":"2025-09-23T19:51:56","modified_gmt":"2025-09-23T19:51:56","slug":"fully-funded-dphil-studentship-in-ai-remote-sensing-and-forest-resilience-to-climate-at-the-university-of-oxford","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/opportunitiesconnect.com\/?p=63292","title":{"rendered":"Fully Funded DPhil Studentship in AI, Remote Sensing, and Forest Resilience to Climate at the University of Oxford"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"440\" data-end=\"813\">The University of Oxford is inviting applications for a <strong data-start=\"496\" data-end=\"533\">fully funded doctoral studentship<\/strong> supported by the <strong data-start=\"551\" data-end=\"571\">Leverhulme Trust<\/strong>, beginning in <strong data-start=\"586\" data-end=\"600\">April 2026<\/strong>. This opportunity will be based at the <strong data-start=\"640\" data-end=\"680\">Environmental Change Institute (ECI)<\/strong> within the School of Geography and the Environment (SoGE), and hosted by the <strong data-start=\"758\" data-end=\"810\">Biodiversity and Earth Observation (BioEO) group<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"815\" data-end=\"949\">The Leverhulme Trust Studentship is titled:<br data-start=\"858\" data-end=\"861\" \/><strong data-start=\"861\" data-end=\"947\">AI, Remote Sensing, and Forest Resilience to Climate \u2013 Insights for Public Health.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"951\" data-end=\"1304\">This project brings together advanced technologies and interdisciplinary research to explore how climate-driven stresses affect tropical forests and the public health outcomes linked to them. It provides an exceptional opportunity for researchers to study the intersections of climate change, forest ecology, artificial intelligence, and human health.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"1306\" data-end=\"1309\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"1311\" data-end=\"1332\">Project Overview<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"1334\" data-end=\"1731\">The project will focus on the <strong data-start=\"1364\" data-end=\"1385\">Amazon rainforest<\/strong>, one of the most biodiverse and climate-critical ecosystems in the world. Climate-driven stresses such as <strong data-start=\"1492\" data-end=\"1503\">drought<\/strong> and <strong data-start=\"1508\" data-end=\"1516\">heat<\/strong> are reshaping forest functional strategies. The doctoral research will investigate how these ecological shifts intersect with <strong data-start=\"1643\" data-end=\"1669\">public health outcomes<\/strong> and <strong data-start=\"1674\" data-end=\"1706\">socio-economic vulnerability<\/strong> across municipalities.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1733\" data-end=\"1770\">Key aspects of the project include:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1772\" data-end=\"2280\">\n<li data-start=\"1772\" data-end=\"1927\">\n<p data-start=\"1774\" data-end=\"1927\">Integration of <strong data-start=\"1789\" data-end=\"1811\">functional ecology<\/strong>, <strong data-start=\"1813\" data-end=\"1831\">remote sensing<\/strong>, and <strong data-start=\"1837\" data-end=\"1864\">artificial intelligence<\/strong> with <strong data-start=\"1870\" data-end=\"1886\">epidemiology<\/strong> and <strong data-start=\"1891\" data-end=\"1924\">socio-environmental modelling<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1928\" data-end=\"2074\">\n<p data-start=\"1930\" data-end=\"2074\">Mapping of forest functional strategies using data from permanent plots, UAV and satellite spectral time series, and environmental covariates.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2075\" data-end=\"2182\">\n<p data-start=\"2077\" data-end=\"2182\">Reconstruction of multi-decadal changes in forest function using archives such as Landsat and Sentinel.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2183\" data-end=\"2280\">\n<p data-start=\"2185\" data-end=\"2280\">Linking ecological changes with disease incidence and public health challenges in the Amazon.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr data-start=\"2282\" data-end=\"2285\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"2287\" data-end=\"2311\">Research Objectives<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"2313\" data-end=\"2356\">The studentship has four main objectives:<\/p>\n<ol data-start=\"2358\" data-end=\"3164\">\n<li data-start=\"2358\" data-end=\"2581\">\n<p data-start=\"2361\" data-end=\"2581\"><strong data-start=\"2361\" data-end=\"2404\">Characterise tree functional strategies<\/strong> using trait datasets and permanent plots, and develop AI\/ML models to predict these strategies from UAV and satellite spectra combined with climate, hydrology, and soil data.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2582\" data-end=\"2817\">\n<p data-start=\"2585\" data-end=\"2817\"><strong data-start=\"2585\" data-end=\"2621\">Reconstruct multi-decadal shifts<\/strong> in forest functional strategies using harmonised Landsat-Sentinel datasets, while testing how agrarian economic contexts (Techno-productive Trajectories) influence climate-forest relationships.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2818\" data-end=\"3006\">\n<p data-start=\"2821\" data-end=\"3006\"><strong data-start=\"2821\" data-end=\"2843\">Model associations<\/strong> between shifts in forest strategies and disease outcomes such as dengue, malaria, leishmaniasis, Chagas, schistosomiasis, leptospirosis, hantavirus, and others.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3007\" data-end=\"3164\">\n<p data-start=\"3010\" data-end=\"3164\"><strong data-start=\"3010\" data-end=\"3051\">Evaluate socio-economic vulnerability<\/strong> to identify contexts in which risks between forest change and health outcomes are either amplified or reduced.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<hr data-start=\"3166\" data-end=\"3169\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"3171\" data-end=\"3192\">Supervisory Team<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"3194\" data-end=\"3271\">The doctoral student will be supervised by a team of international experts:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"3273\" data-end=\"3597\">\n<li data-start=\"3273\" data-end=\"3387\">\n<p data-start=\"3275\" data-end=\"3387\"><strong data-start=\"3275\" data-end=\"3305\">Dr Jes\u00fas Aguirre Guti\u00e9rrez<\/strong> (Titular Associate Professor, BioEO, University of Oxford) \u2013 Primary Supervisor<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3388\" data-end=\"3441\">\n<p data-start=\"3390\" data-end=\"3441\"><strong data-start=\"3390\" data-end=\"3409\">Dr Andre Acosta<\/strong> (BioEO, University of Oxford)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3442\" data-end=\"3546\">\n<p data-start=\"3444\" data-end=\"3546\"><strong data-start=\"3444\" data-end=\"3465\">Dr Milton Barbosa<\/strong> (BioEO, University of Oxford and Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3547\" data-end=\"3597\">\n<p data-start=\"3549\" data-end=\"3597\"><strong data-start=\"3549\" data-end=\"3577\">Dr Claudia Torres Code\u00e7o<\/strong> (FIOCRUZ, Brazil)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"3599\" data-end=\"3762\">This team provides expertise in ecology, AI, epidemiology, and socio-environmental systems, ensuring an interdisciplinary and comprehensive research environment.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"3764\" data-end=\"3767\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"3769\" data-end=\"3793\">Studentship Details<\/h2>\n<ul data-start=\"3795\" data-end=\"4146\">\n<li data-start=\"3795\" data-end=\"3827\">\n<p data-start=\"3797\" data-end=\"3827\"><strong data-start=\"3797\" data-end=\"3812\">Start date:<\/strong> 1 April 2026<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3828\" data-end=\"3865\">\n<p data-start=\"3830\" data-end=\"3865\"><strong data-start=\"3830\" data-end=\"3848\">Mode of study:<\/strong> Full-time only<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3866\" data-end=\"3938\">\n<p data-start=\"3868\" data-end=\"3938\"><strong data-start=\"3868\" data-end=\"3884\">Eligibility:<\/strong> Open to both Home (UK) and International applicants<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3939\" data-end=\"4146\">\n<p data-start=\"3941\" data-end=\"4146\"><strong data-start=\"3941\" data-end=\"3953\">Funding:<\/strong> Covers full University fees and maintenance stipend at least at the standard UK doctoral rate for up to three years. Final amounts and any additional allowances will be confirmed upon offer.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 data-start=\"4148\" data-end=\"4192\">Training and Development Opportunities<\/h3>\n<ul data-start=\"4194\" data-end=\"4791\">\n<li data-start=\"4194\" data-end=\"4342\">\n<p data-start=\"4196\" data-end=\"4342\">Access to doctoral training provided by the <strong data-start=\"4240\" data-end=\"4290\">School of Geography and the Environment (SoGE)<\/strong> and the <strong data-start=\"4299\" data-end=\"4339\">Environmental Change Institute (ECI)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4343\" data-end=\"4462\">\n<p data-start=\"4345\" data-end=\"4462\">Participation in the BioEO laboratory, the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery, and associated project workshops.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4463\" data-end=\"4646\">\n<p data-start=\"4465\" data-end=\"4646\">Use of high-performance computing resources and access to large geospatial datasets (UAV imagery, Sentinel-2, Landsat, TerraClimate\/ECOSTRESS, health and socio-economic datasets).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4647\" data-end=\"4712\">\n<p data-start=\"4649\" data-end=\"4712\">Support for reasonable research, travel, and fieldwork costs.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4713\" data-end=\"4791\">\n<p data-start=\"4715\" data-end=\"4791\">College membership at one of Oxford\u2019s colleges (confirmed at offer stage).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr data-start=\"4793\" data-end=\"4796\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"4798\" data-end=\"4827\">Eligibility Requirements<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"4829\" data-end=\"4861\">Applicants should demonstrate:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"4863\" data-end=\"5390\">\n<li data-start=\"4863\" data-end=\"5077\">\n<p data-start=\"4865\" data-end=\"5077\">A <strong data-start=\"4867\" data-end=\"4903\">master\u2019s degree with distinction<\/strong> (or distinction in dissertation at minimum) in Geography, Environmental or Plant Sciences, Ecology, Remote Sensing, Data\/Computer Science, Epidemiology, or related fields.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5078\" data-end=\"5168\">\n<p data-start=\"5080\" data-end=\"5168\">A <strong data-start=\"5082\" data-end=\"5147\">first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree<\/strong> in any discipline.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5169\" data-end=\"5251\">\n<p data-start=\"5171\" data-end=\"5251\">Strong <strong data-start=\"5178\" data-end=\"5217\">quantitative and programming skills<\/strong> (R required, Python desirable).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5252\" data-end=\"5320\">\n<p data-start=\"5254\" data-end=\"5320\">Experience with GIS\/remote sensing workflows and large datasets.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5321\" data-end=\"5390\">\n<p data-start=\"5323\" data-end=\"5390\">Interest in tropical forest ecology and links with public health.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 data-start=\"5392\" data-end=\"5429\">Desirable Skills and Experience<\/h3>\n<ul data-start=\"5431\" data-end=\"5631\">\n<li data-start=\"5431\" data-end=\"5478\">\n<p data-start=\"5433\" data-end=\"5478\">Machine learning and deep learning methods.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5479\" data-end=\"5532\">\n<p data-start=\"5481\" data-end=\"5532\">Trait-based ecology or epidemiological modelling.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5533\" data-end=\"5567\">\n<p data-start=\"5535\" data-end=\"5567\">Tropical fieldwork experience.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5568\" data-end=\"5631\">\n<p data-start=\"5570\" data-end=\"5631\">Strong aptitude for computational and data-driven research.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"5633\" data-end=\"5735\">Applicants from <strong data-start=\"5649\" data-end=\"5697\">underrepresented backgrounds and communities<\/strong> are especially encouraged to apply.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"5737\" data-end=\"5740\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"5742\" data-end=\"5766\">Application Process<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"5768\" data-end=\"5947\">Applications must be submitted via the University of Oxford\u2019s <strong data-start=\"5830\" data-end=\"5867\">online graduate admissions system<\/strong>: <a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ox.ac.uk\/admissions\/graduate\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"5869\" data-end=\"5945\">www.ox.ac.uk\/admissions\/graduate<\/a><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5949\" data-end=\"5965\">When applying:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"5967\" data-end=\"6467\">\n<li data-start=\"5967\" data-end=\"6031\">\n<p data-start=\"5969\" data-end=\"6031\"><strong data-start=\"5969\" data-end=\"5980\">Course:<\/strong> Select \u201cDPhil in Geography and the Environment.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6032\" data-end=\"6088\">\n<p data-start=\"6034\" data-end=\"6088\"><strong data-start=\"6034\" data-end=\"6058\">Proposed Supervisor:<\/strong> Dr Jes\u00fas Aguirre Guti\u00e9rrez.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6089\" data-end=\"6197\">\n<p data-start=\"6091\" data-end=\"6197\"><strong data-start=\"6091\" data-end=\"6110\">Research Title:<\/strong> \u201cAI, Remote Sensing, and Forest Resilience to Climate \u2013 Insights for Public Health.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6198\" data-end=\"6271\">\n<p data-start=\"6200\" data-end=\"6271\"><strong data-start=\"6200\" data-end=\"6219\">Reference Code:<\/strong> Enter \u201c26SOGE01\u201d in the departmental funding tab.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6272\" data-end=\"6467\">\n<p data-start=\"6274\" data-end=\"6467\"><strong data-start=\"6274\" data-end=\"6296\">Research Proposal:<\/strong> Provide a statement outlining your fit for the project, how you would shape it, and whether you would emphasise ecology\/remote sensing, AI methods, or health modelling.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"6469\" data-end=\"6613\">Please note: Word limits for application documents are strictly enforced. Submissions exceeding the limits will be filtered out automatically.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"6615\" data-end=\"6732\">Applicants selected for interview will receive guidance on the process, with interview questions shared in advance.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"6734\" data-end=\"6765\">Deadline for Applications<\/h3>\n<ul data-start=\"6767\" data-end=\"6790\">\n<li data-start=\"6767\" data-end=\"6790\">\n<p data-start=\"6769\" data-end=\"6790\"><strong data-start=\"6769\" data-end=\"6788\">7 November 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr data-start=\"6792\" data-end=\"6795\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"6797\" data-end=\"6812\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"6814\" data-end=\"7246\">The <strong data-start=\"6818\" data-end=\"6935\">Leverhulme Trust Studentship in AI, Remote Sensing, and Forest Resilience to Climate \u2013 Insights for Public Health<\/strong> at the <strong data-start=\"6943\" data-end=\"6967\">University of Oxford<\/strong> is a prestigious, fully funded opportunity for doctoral study. Combining advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence with pressing questions in tropical forest ecology and public health, the project offers a unique platform for impactful, interdisciplinary research.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7248\" data-end=\"7538\">With full financial support, access to cutting-edge resources, and guidance from a world-class supervisory team, this studentship provides an exceptional pathway for emerging researchers committed to addressing global challenges at the intersection of environment, health, and technology.<\/p>\n<p><b>For more Information and Applications:<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.geog.ox.ac.uk\/study\/graduate\/apply\/leverhulme-trust-studentship.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HERE<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Stay on <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/opportunitiesforyouth.org\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">opportunitiesconnect.com\/<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> for more opportunities.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The University of Oxford is inviting applications for a fully funded doctoral studentship supported by the Leverhulme Trust, beginning in April 2026. This opportunity will be based at the Environmental Change Institute (ECI) within the School of Geography and the Environment (SoGE), and hosted by the Biodiversity and Earth Observation (BioEO) group. The Leverhulme Trust&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":63293,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[44,31,32,25,33,38,42,43],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-63292","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"hentry","7":"category-awards","8":"category-continent","9":"category-courses","10":"category-education","11":"category-europe","12":"category-fellowship","13":"category-phd","14":"category-scholarships","15":"article","16":"","18":"has-excerpt","19":"has-avatar","20":"has-author","21":"has-nickname","22":"has-date","23":"has-comment-count","24":"has-category-meta","25":"has-read-more","26":"has-title","27":"has-post-media","28":"thumbnail-","29":"has-tfm-share-icons"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/opportunitiesconnect.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63292","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/opportunitiesconnect.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/opportunitiesconnect.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opportunitiesconnect.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opportunitiesconnect.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=63292"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/opportunitiesconnect.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63292\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opportunitiesconnect.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/63293"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/opportunitiesconnect.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=63292"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opportunitiesconnect.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=63292"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opportunitiesconnect.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=63292"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}