China Scholarship Council PhD studentship
Title: Uncovering the principles that govern ecosystem re-assembly
Supervisor: Dr Athen Ma
School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science
Queen Mary University of London
Abstract: Our natural environments are subjected to reoccurrence of extreme climatic events such as heatwaves, posting serious threats to biodiversity, and ecosystem services, such as pollination and food production. A better understanding on how ecological communities respond and mitigate the effects of an environmental stressor will therefore greatly enhance our ability to guide conservation and management efforts.
Species do not exist in isolation but is part of a complex organisation of interactions, manifesting into non-random structural patterns at the whole-network level. While these structures help explain ecosystem function, dynamics and stability, the principles that underpin their assembly and re-assembly are largely unknown. In network science, theoretical concepts based on optimisation of cost or reachability have been used to characterise the way in which complex networks evolve over time, but this line of research is largely unexplored in natural ecosystems. The overall aim of this project is to perform novel merging of network science with community ecology so as to reveal the mechanics that underpin the changes in the topology of ecological networks under climate change. Findings will provide important insights into their temporal dynamics and compensatory response to an environmental disturbance, paving the way for a more predictive approach in ecology.
Other information
Successful candidate will be working with an interdisciplinary team of experts from Electronic Engineering and Computer Science, Mathematics and Biological Science. Candidate should have a background in electronic engineering, computer science, mathematics or a similar STEM subject with an interest in ecology, and must meet the English language requirements (e.g. IELTS Academic minimum score 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking.)
For more information, please contact Dr Athen Ma (athen.ma@qmul.ac.uk).
To find out more about Athen’s research group, visit: https://sites.google.com/view/athenma/home
Application deadline for QMUL: 28th January 2026
To find out more about CSC scholarships at QMUL: https://www.qmul.ac.uk/scholarships/items/china-scholarship-council-scholarships-1.html
To find out more about English language requirements:
https://www.qmul.ac.uk/international-students/englishlanguagerequirements/undergraduate-and-postgraduate-programmes/
S&E Doctoral Research Studentships 2026/27 for Underrepresented Groups
The Queen Mary Faculty of Science and Engineering is inviting applications for Doctoral Research Studentships from UK candidates from underrepresented groups (e.g., Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic) in research in the UK. Up to 3 PhD studentships (in addition to many other opportunities across our schools in S&E) are being offered and will be awarded on the basis of the excellence of the applicant.
The proposed research topic must fit within the strategic research areas and remits in the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Queen Mary. Studentships will be awarded to the most outstanding candidates applying for a full-time or part-time PhD programme starting in autumn 2025. Awards are tenable for up to 3.5 years, and cover tuition fees and a maintenance stipend at the QMUL rate (c. £21,874 p.a. full-time, £10,937 part-time for 2025/26; and 2026/27 rates tbc).
Eligibility
In order to be considered for an award, applicants should have (or expect to have by the end of the 2025/26 academic year) a master’s degree or equivalent in an appropriate field (that includes also bachelor’s degrees with research-oriented projects or thesis). You must be a UK permanent resident from an underrepresented group in research, e.g., Black, Asian and other
Minority Ethnic (with the priority for this round given to those from Black origin) and eligible to pay home student fees. You will also be considered for other studentships if indicated in the application.
How to apply
You are strongly advised to find an appropriate academic supervisor and to work together on the application materials consisting of your online application form, CV, Research Proposal, and Personal Statement. Please use 11pt arial font with 2cm page margins. The A4 page limits are 2 each for the CV and Research Proposal, and 1 for the Personal Statement. You
should apply via the QMUL online portal by 17:00 on 28th January 2026. Please clearly indicate that you would like your application to be considered for the “Science and Engineering Underrepresented Group Doctoral Research Studentships” on the opening line of your Personal Statement.
How your application will be assessed
Your application will be considered and ranked by a School selection panel. Selected applications will then be considered by the Faculty Panel with a broad range of subject specialists and expertise in Doctoral Training. The School panel will evaluate applications using the following criteria with equal weighting:
• Quality of proposal – i.e., the significance, originality, and motivation of the proposed research; its underpinning ideas, aims, and research questions; the research design, methodology; the suitability of the proposal for doctoral research. This also includes the feasibility of the project, i.e., the project’s timeline; the identification of training needs; justification of any fieldwork and study visits; and fit with the expertise and interests of the named supervisory team.
• Excellence of applicant – i.e., previous academic achievements in relevant subject areas; any relevant professional/practitioner experience (particularly for applicants with non-standard academic trajectories); and relevant knowledge, skills, and/or training for the proposed research
Offers will be made to successful candidates in March 2026, to be accepted or declined within one week. Please note that these awards cannot be deferred.