Funding

Self-funded

Project code

ELS10071027

Department

School of the Environment and Life Sciences

Start dates

October, February and April

Application deadline

Applications accepted all year round

Applications are invited for a self-funded, 3 year full-time or 6 year part-time PhD project.

This PhD will be based in the School of Environment and Life Sciences and will be supervised by Professor Alex Ford.
 

The work on this project will:

  • Measure baseline behaviours in crustaceans
  • Develop and use state-of-the-art behavioural analysis software
  • Determine the effects of environmental stressors on anxiety like responses in crustaceans

There is an increasing body of research indicating that environmental contaminants have the capacity to alter behaviours in wildlife. Anxiety like behaviours are essential for an animals ability to evade predation. This study would look into the baseline anxiety like responses to key crustacean species with the view to developing quantifiable behavioural endpoints for ecotoxicological research. The study would develop and employ a range of state-of-art behavioural analysis tools available at the Institute of Marine Sciences.

Fees and funding

Visit the research subject area page for fees and funding information for this project.

Funding availability: Self-funded PhD students only. 

PhD full-time and part-time courses are eligible for the UK Government Doctoral Loan (UK and EU students only).

Bench fees

Some PhD projects may include additional fees – known as bench fees – for equipment and other consumables, and these will be added to your standard tuition fee. Speak to the supervisory team during your interview about any additional fees you may have to pay. Please note, bench fees are not eligible for discounts and are non-refundable.

Entry requirements

  • You'll need a good first degree from an internationally recognised university (minimum 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

We would be looking for a candidate with at least an undergraduate degree in biological/environmental sciences. The candidate would be interested in field and laboratory based research plus competent in data analysis plus some coding experience desirable.

How to apply

We’d encourage you to contact Prof Alex Ford ([email protected]) to discuss your interest before you apply, quoting the project code.

When you are ready to apply, please follow the 'Apply now' link on the Biological Siences PhD subject area page and select the link for the relevant intake. 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.

Please note, to be considered for this self-funded PhD opportunity you must quote project code ELS10071027 when applying.