PhD Researcher in Marine Biology: This PhD scholarship focuses on understanding the mechanisms driving recruitment variability in key fish populations inhabiting sandy beaches in South West England. Building on an extensive time series data and biological sampling, the project aims to provide crucial insights for fisheries conservation and management amidst ongoing environmental changes.
PhD Project on Inshore Fish Populations
Designation
PhD Researcher in Marine Biology
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Research Area | Fish Ecology and Conservation |
| Location | South West England |
| Eligibility/Qualification | First or upper second-class honours degree in a biological or marine science, with a relevant master’s qualification preferred |
Research Area
The research will focus on the following objectives:
- Investigating how physical beach characteristics influence fish abundance and epifaunal assemblages.
- Understanding the relationship between habitat characteristics, prey availability, and fish diet, growth, and venom potency.
- Analyzing how climatic changes and beach features contribute to interannual variations in fish populations.
- Developing a recruitment model for fish relying on sandy beaches.
Description
The project involves extensive field sampling, laboratory assays, and the analysis of large datasets. The successful candidate will engage with longstanding ecological data to unravel the influence of biotic and abiotic factors on fish populations. The research will include methodologies such as biochemical techniques for assessing fish growth and venom potency, field survey techniques, and statistical modeling to explain recruitment variation.
Training will be provided in various interdisciplinary research tools and the candidate will partake in collaborations with stakeholders including the RNLI and Natural England.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should contact the supervisory team to discuss the project further. Specific application procedures and requirements will be provided upon inquiry.
Last Date to Apply
Until position filled
For more information, please reach out to the supervisory team:
- Dr. Benjamin Ciotti, Lecturer in Marine Biology, Lead Supervisor
- Dr. Bryce Stewart, Associate Professor, Second Supervisor
- Dr. Michael Collins, Lecturer in Marine Biology, Third Supervisor
