The National Oceanography Centre (NOC), in partnership with the University of Southampton and leading UK research consortia, is inviting applications for fully funded Ph.D. Studentships and AtlantiS Marine Research Fellowships (2026–2027). Operating from world-class waterfront campuses in Southampton and Liverpool, NOC is one of the world’s top oceanic research institutions, pioneering ocean exploration from coastal waters to the deepest abyssal trenches.
About the National Oceanography Centre (NOC)
The National Oceanography Centre is an independent oceanographic research institute that operates the UK’s National Marine Equipment Pool (NMEP) and the British Royal Research Ships RRS Discovery and RRS James Cook. Through the Graduate School of the National Oceanography Centre Southampton (GSNOCS), doctoral researchers work alongside world-leading marine scientists and robotic engineers with direct access to advanced marine laboratories, autonomous underwater vehicles (Autosub), and global oceanographic datasets.
Doctoral Training Partnerships & Research Themes
Funded doctoral studentships for 2026–2027 are available across multiple Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) Centres for Doctoral Training and Landscape Awards:
- Marine Ecology & Biological Oceanography: Plankton food web dynamics, benthic biodiversity in deep-sea canyons and abyssal plains, microbial genomics, and biological carbon pump quantification.
- IGNITE & CROCUS Doctoral Programmes: Investigating marine climate interactions, oceanic tipping points, biodiversity shifts, and ecosystem-based coastal management.
- Marine Biogeochemistry & Carbon Cycling: Ocean acidification, nutrient stoichiometry, trace metal biogeochemistry (GEOTRACES), and marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) efficacy.
- Ocean Robotics & Autonomous Observation (SENSE CDT): Sensor integration on long-range gliders, machine learning for ocean acoustics, and autonomous subsea survey technology.
- AtlantiS ECR Fellowships: Dedicated postdoctoral and early-career fellowships focusing on North Atlantic ocean circulation, subpolar gyre dynamics, and coastal hazard mitigation.
Fellowship Awards & Financial Package
- Full Tuition Waiver: 100% coverage of university tuition fees at the UK Home/International rate.
- Tax-Free Annual Stipend: Minimum UKRI doctoral stipend of £19,237 per year (tax-free, adjusted annually for inflation) for up to 3.5 to 4 years.
- Research Training Support Grant (RTSG): Generous annual allowance for field sampling consumables, analytical costs, conference presentations, and international research travel.
- Expedition Access: Opportunities to participate in deep-sea research cruises in the Atlantic, Southern Ocean, or polar seas aboard RRS Discovery and RRS James Cook.
- AtlantiS Postdoctoral Salary: Early Career Fellowships offer competitive salaries ranging from £36,000 to £44,000 per annum with full UK pension and employee benefits.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must hold or expect to achieve a First-class or Upper Second-class UK Bachelor’s honours degree (or international equivalent) in Marine Science, Oceanography, Biology, Aquatic Ecology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, or Environmental Engineering.
- Candidates holding a Master’s degree (M.Sc. / M.Res.) with distinction or merit in relevant marine sciences are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Open to both UK domestic students and international candidates. Major NERC DTP programmes allocate funded studentships to international applicants.
- Proficiency in written and spoken English meeting University of Southampton doctoral admission standards (IELTS / TOEFL).
Application Process & How to Apply
Prospective doctoral candidates are encouraged to follow the multi-step application workflow:
- Browse available PhD projects listed under NOC / GSNOCS and affiliate DTPs (IGNITE, CROCUS, FLOOD-CDT) on the official portal and FindAPhD.
- Contact the designated Lead Supervisor by email, providing your CV and an introductory summary of your scientific background and research motivation.
- Submit a formal online postgraduate research application through the University of Southampton Admissions Portal or direct NOC Student Gateway.
- Upload required academic transcripts, CV, two academic reference letters, and personal statement.
Application Deadlines & Timeline
- Applications Open: Autumn 2026
- Application Review & Priority Deadlines: December 2026 – January 2027 (for Autumn 2027 intake)
- Interviews: January – February 2027
Official Links & Student Gateway
To view open projects, supervisor contacts, and detailed application guidelines, please visit the official portals below:
👉 National Oceanography Centre Opportunities: https://www.noc.ac.uk/
👉 GSNOCS Graduate School Southampton: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/oes/postgraduate/research_degrees.page
👉 NOC Student Gateway Inquiries: StudentGateway@noc.ac.uk