Funding
Competition funded (UK/EU and international students)
Project code
ELS50210125
Department
School of the Environment and Life SciencesStart dates
October 2025
Application deadline
17 January 2025
Applications are invited for a fully-funded three year PhD to commence in October 2025.
The PhD will be based in the Faculty of Science and Health, and will be supervised by Dr Roy Smith, Professor David Martill and Dr Charles Wood.
Candidates applying for this project may be eligible to compete for one of a small number of bursaries available. Successful applicants will receive a bursary to cover tuition fees at the UK/EU rate for three years and a stipend in line with the UKRI rate (£19,237 for 2024/25). Bursary recipients will also receive a contribution of £1,500 per annum towards consumables, conference, project or training costs.
Costs for student visa and immigration health surcharge are not covered by this bursary. For further guidance and advice visit our international and EU students ‘Visa FAQs’ page.
The work on this project could involve:
- The analysis of the internal microstructure of pterosaur bones.
- A range of imaging techniques including scanning electron microscopy, field emission gun – scanning electron microscope, X-ray computer tomography scanning and synchrotron X-ray scanning tunnelling microscopy.
- Assessment of the biomechanical properties of pterosaur bones at macro-, micro- and sub-microscopic scales.
Pterosaurs, volant reptiles of the Mesozoic achieved massive wingspans during the Cretaceous, with some forms reaching spans of 11 m, the same as a Spitfire aeroplane. The bones of pterosaurs are highly derived, with most modifications in some way related to achieve a light, strong and aerodynamic skeleton. Modifications are seen in the reduction of size of the body skeleton, the thinness of long bone walls and aerodynamic cross-sections of wing bones at macro scale. At intermediate scales, the internal structure shows spiral, needle-like bracing, pneumatic cavities and foramina connected to a pneumatic diverticula system. At a microscopic level the bones show micro lamellae, elongation of the osteocyte lacunae (bone cell cavities) and systematic organisation of the canaliculi (micro vessels linking osteocyte lacunae) among others.
The three-dimensional arrangement and functionality of the osteocyte lacunae and canaliculi with respect to the biomechanics of the bone for flight has never been investigated, partly due to a scarcity of sacrificial pterosaur material, and methodological limitations. Advances in high resolution XCT scanning with capabilities of resolution at submicron level and available at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú make this a tangible possibility. This project aims to analyse the internal architecture and microstructure of a range of pterosaur bones at macro- micro and sub-macroscopic scales and to assess its biomechanical properties.
Entry requirements
You will need a good first degree from an internationally recognised university (minimum upper second class or equivalent, depending on your chosen course) or a Master’s degree in an appropriate subject. In exceptional cases, we may consider equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications. English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.
Candidates should have excellent computer literacy skills, a good knowledge or vertebrate palaeontology/anatomy and/or knowledge of processing XCT data is desirable.
How to apply
Please note that email applications are not accepted. If you have any project-specific questions please contact Dr Roy Smith (roy.smith@port.ac.uk) quoting the project code.
When you are ready to apply, please use the . Make sure you submit a personal statement, proof of your degrees and grades, details of two referees, proof of your English language proficiency and an up-to-date CV. Our ‘How to Apply’ page offers further guidance on the PhD application process.
If you want to be considered for this funded PhD opportunity you must quote project code ELS50210125 when applying.