Study

Study with us at all levels from undergraduate to PhD. Below you can find more information about our study options.

Undergraduate

Studying in the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences offers you a choice of exciting degree pathways. Our Earth and Planetary Science degree gives you the opportunity to visit geological sites of meteor activity as well as the freedom to conduct your own research project. Previous students have, through their research projects, gone on to be successfully published in leading planetary science journals. There are also excellent opportunities for our students to enter industry after graduation. Among other institutions, some of our alumni have gone on to join the prestigious intern programme at the Lunar and Planetary Institute in the USA.

Postgraduate research

Our group includes a diverse range of people at various levels of study. We always look to welcome new students into our group and would be happy to hear from anyone with a background in geology, geochemistry, chemistry, physics or planetary science at degree level. While not necessary, it is beneficial if you have experience in conducting independent research. Much like our undergraduate students, our postgraduate students have taken up opportunities on the intern programme at the Lunar and Planetary Institute, and some have also had the opportunity to visit NASA and take part in mission planning activities.

Want to join our group?

If you’re interested in joining our group as an independent research fellow, please visit the Department website to find out about available funding opportunities:

• Support for researchers on the Earth and Environmental Sciences website

If you’re interested in joining our group as a PhD student you can find out details of our advertised research projects on the Department website:

• Doctoral training on the Earth and Environmental Sciences website

If you want to work with our planetary science research group academic staff to develop your own PhD project at any time, we suggest that you discuss ideas on the following topics with these people:

• Analytical instrument development – Jamie Gilmour or Ray Burgess;
• Antarctic meteorite research – Katherine Joy or Rhian Jones;
• Experimental petrology – Rhian Jones or Joshua Snape;
• Lunar samples and exploration mission research – Katherine Joy or Romain Tartese or Joshua Snape;
• Martian sample analysis science research – Ray Burgess, Greg Holland, or Jamie Gilmour;
• Volatile records in meteorite groups – Rhian Jones (meteorites) or Romain Tartese (meteorites, Moon).

Explore the research profiles of these staff on the People page. You can explore more about funding opportunities for postgraduate research on the University website:

• Funding on the University website

Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Ernest Rutherford Fellowship applications 2025

• Departmental application deadline: 1 August 2025
• STFC application deadline: 1 October 2025

Ernest Rutherford Fellowships (ERF) enable early career researchers with clear leadership potential to establish a strong, independent research programme. The Ernest Rutherford Fellowships are intended for early career researchers who do not have an academic position.

The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at The University of Manchester has an Ernest Rutherford Fellowship quota. To be considered as a candidate to be put forward to STFC, please complete the application template for the departmental selection process. The application deadline for the departmental selection process is 1 August 2025.

We strongly recommend that you should contact the Department for an informal discussion, in advance of submitting your application. Please get in touch with Prof Rhian Jones, or one of the other Planetary Science group members. We will be happy to provide further guidance.

You can read more about our group at the link below:

• Planetary Science Research Group

To be considered for nomination, please read the information on the STFC website (Ernest Rutherford Fellowship 2025 – UKRI) and complete the Expression of Interest template according to the guidance given.

We aim to inform you of our decision no later than 15 August 2025.