PhD in Ecosystem Biology and Sustainability

The primary focus of the Ecology, Evolution, Behaviour and Environmental Economics research cluster is fundamental and applied aspects of ecology, environmental economics, conservation, aquaculture, animal behaviour, molecular taxonomy and molecular genetics, particularly involving links between these aspects. The cluster has a high level of research activity involving academic staff, Postdoctoral scientists, and postgraduate research students. The cluster has a high level of research activity involving academic staff, Postdoctoral scientists, and postgraduate research students.

Research strengths

• Animal behaviour/communication
• Biodiversity and ecosystem services
• Coastal and deep-water marine biology
• Ecological management
• Economics of water quality and sustainable catchment management
• Ecosystem ecology, modelling and mathematical biology
• Freshwater biology/fish biology
• Invasive species and their impact
• Molecular ecology, systematics, and phylogeography in algae, plants, invertebrates, fish, and mammals
• Sustainable aquaculture of shellfish and algae
• Urban land use, economics, and management
• Valuing biodiversity, agri-environment schemes and outdoor recreation including use of GIS and spatial econometrics
• Wildlife ecology, especially of birds and mammals

Special features

The group has a wide range of strong international and national links and it benefits from applied research centres such as Quercus, which specializes in conservation biology and biodiversity. The School is also closely involved in the University's Institute for a Sustainable World.

Students have access to modern laboratories and offices based in the Medical Biology Centre, close to the main Lanyon site. Students also have access to the University's Marine Laboratory, which is located in Portaferry, directly at the Narrows of Strangford Lough (the largest sea lough in the British Isles) and these facilities are used by resident staff and students as well as associated researchers from Queen's and international visitors.

Due to Northern Ireland's unique geology, mild climate, relatively long coastline and a long history of settled agriculture, we have a wide variety of interesting habitats, which provide a stimulating and challenging environment for those wishing to pursue research in these areas.

Queen’s University Belfast is ranked in the Top 200 Universities in the World (QS World University Rankings 2019)

140 in the world for graduate prospects (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020)

Founded in 1845 as Queen's College Belfast, one of three Queen's Colleges in Ireland, it became an independent university in 1908 and is the ninth oldest university in the UK. Today, Queen’s is a member of the Russell Group, combining excellence in research and education with a student-centred ethos.

Queen’s is ranked 8th in the UK for Research Intensity (REF 2014/ Times Higher Education) with over 75% of its research assessed as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ in REF 2014.

We’re A Global University

Students enjoy being educated by world-leading academics working at the forefront of their disciplines and a significant investment in the student experience has resulted in high levels of student satisfaction and employability rates.

Global Research Institutes

Building on its disciplinary excellence, the University has created four flagship Global Research Institutes which bring leading academics together to tackle some of the greatest global challenges of our time in the areas of: Global Peace, Security and Justice; Cyber Security; Health Sciences; and Food Safety.

The Faculty Of Medicine, Health & Life Sciences

The Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences at Queen’s deliver high quality, leading-edge education, through world-class staff, focused on the needs of society. We provide an educational experience that is research-led and enriches our students intellectually, socially and culturally.

Our hope is that students from around the world will join with us to both learn and also bring new ideas and approaches to help drive forward our ambitions to enhance and advance life. Queen's is at the heart of Belfast's culture, as well as its art and social scenes. We're proud to be part of a bustling, cosmopolitan city boasting a vibrant social life and rich cultural heritage.

Addressing Global Challenges

Through our education and research, we strive to address some of the world’s greatest challenges, our academic staff undertake world-leading research through our Schools and Global research institutes in Health Sciences and Global Food Security. This has resulted in new treatments for patients and greater levels of protection for the food we eat.

Faculty Schools

The School of Biological Sciences The School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences The School of Nursing and Midwifery The School of Pharmacy