Environmental Biology

As a research student in the Environmental Biology program at the University of Essex , you’ll work at the heart of our internationally acknowledged and well-connected research community. We offer world-class supervision and training opportunities, and encourage you to engage with other researchers, professionals, practitioners and research users, where possible for example using the generous funding from Proficio to attend conferences and training courses.

Specialist facilities

Our School provides a comprehensive range of facilities for environmental biology research which include:

• high-throughput molecular ecology facilities

• aquaria, mesocosms and other facilities for ecology and behaviour studies

• analytical facilities for measuring trace gases, hydrocarbons and lipids

• a greenhouse with GM containment and controlled environment growth facilities

• a Plant Phenomics Facility for high throughput screening of model plant species

• extensive microbial cultivation facilities

• advanced bioimaging suite to visualise and analyse images of biological processes in real time

A dedicated study room allows all our postgraduate research students to have access to a desk and a computer outside of the research laboratories. This provides a focal point for our postgraduates, facilitating reading and writing as well as good communication and a sense of community.

Your future

Many of our postgraduates continue their scientific research by taking up postdoctoral positions in the UK and overseas. Others go on to work with industry, governmental and non-governmental organisations and environmental agencies.

Research areas

• Environmental microbiology

• Photosynthesis

• Plant productivity

• Ecology

• Marine and environmental science