Why choose the E5 DTP?

On these pages you can read about the Edinburgh Earth, Ecology and Environment Engagement Doctoral Training Partnership (the E5 DTP) and its predecessor, E4.  You'll find information about our current students, their projects, and our partners. Both the E4 and E5 DTPs reflect a long-standing commitment to providing excellent training, research and collaborative opportunities. If you are already participating in our DTP, you will be familiar with the breadth of opportunities available. If you are considering applying, discover why the E5 DTP might be the right choice for you. 

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One of the highest concentrations of NERC-remit research in the UK

The E5 DTP is funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). Edinburgh and its surrounding regions have one of the highest concentrations of NERC-remit research in the United Kingdom.  It is home to the University of Edinburgh as well as the offices of large independent research organisations such as the Centre for Hydrology and Ecology, the British Geological Survey, Scotland’s Rural College, the National Museum of Scotland, and Forest Research. In addition, our partners at the Scottish Association for Marine Science and the Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre are all within easy reach, and there is a vibrant ecosystem of government, charity, and private businesses working in and around Edinburgh that are part of the E4 partnership. Altogether, there are several hundred specialists across all areas of NERC’s research remit working with us who can collaborate in PhD training and supervision. In our list of available projects, you will find a huge range of research topics, one of which may be perfectly suited to your interests. 

The clustering of environmental research around Edinburgh means that if you apply and are offered a position on our DTP, you will be part of a vibrant community of PhD students, researchers and professionals that extends naturally to many opportunities in science, policy, charity and business activities.

A vibrant and diverse research community with many opportunities

The clustering of environmental research around Edinburgh means that if you apply and are offered a position on our DTP, you will be part of a vibrant community of PhD students, researchers and professionals that extends naturally to many opportunities in science, policy, charity and business activities. Our community members have taken many and varied routes into environmental research and we encourage and support students from a diversity of subject and experiential backgrounds. As a result, our DTP is of sufficient size and diversity that we can offer an active menu of student-led activities to support your PhD journey, to go alongside numerous research groups and DTP training run by academic staff and non-academic partners.

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You can explore our students’ profile pages to discover the wide variety of activities our students have engaged in: Both the E5 and E4 DTPs offer flexible training and internship opportunities in addition to core scientific research that is part of your PhD. Our "A day in my PhD life" 5-minute videos, showcasing some of our current DTP students, give a fantastic insight into what an environmental science PhD looks like on a day-to-day basis, within E4 and also within the University of Edinburgh, and more widely in the City of Edinburgh and Scotland. We encourage prospective students to connect with our current and former students for firsthand insights into our programme.  The success of the E4 DTP speaks for itself, and we are confident that E5 will continue to provide a fantastic environment for PhD studies. 

A positive, supportive and inclusive environment

Each year, our DTP welcomes a cohort of about 25 students from a wide range of backgrounds, joining a thriving community of over 100 students. We take pride in the diversity of our student community and encourage peer-support, integration and inclusion through cohort-building, interdisciplinary collaboration, and multi-cohort events. We are committed to enhancing diversity among our students and encourage applications from under-represented groups through our Widening Participation scheme. We promote discussions and awareness around Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), continuously seeking ways to improve inclusivity within our programme. 

Who would not want to live somewhere where you can hike to the top of UK’s highest mountain on Saturday, go to a beautiful sandy beach on Sunday, and then talk science with any number of the UK’s leading environmental scientists on a Monday?

In addition to all the wide-ranging support services the University of Edinburgh has to offer, the E4/ E5 DTP dedicated administrative team is here to assist you and to provide support and guidance during your PhD journey. We strive to create a positive and supportive environment where you can thrive academically and grow as a professional. 

Finally, getting a PhD is not all about work and Edinburgh consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in the UK. Who would not want to live somewhere where you can hike to the top of UK’s highest mountain on Saturday, go to a beautiful sandy beach on Sunday, and then talk science with any number of the UK’s leading environmental scientists on a Monday?

Richard Essery

E4 DTP Director

Current DTP Students | The University of Edinburgh

DTP Alumni | The University of Edinburgh

Programme Structure | The University of Edinburgh

Studying in Edinburgh | The University of Edinburgh

"A day in my PhD life" videos | The University of Edinburgh

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion | The University of Edinburgh

Services and support | The University of Edinburgh