Funding

Self-funded

Project code

ELS10081027

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 Gordon Watson, Professor Joanne Preston and Dr Ian Hendy.

The work on this project will look at:

  • Shark ecology
  • Fisheries
  • Coastal ecology
  • Recreational angling

Collecting conservation-focussed data requires significant investment of time and money. Using existing minimal-cost methods (e.g. CAST project) the student will collect geolocated images of tope caught in competitions, then accounting for fishing effort, identify ecological ‘hotspots’. Linked to reproductive data extracted from images, sites will be surveyed (video, macrofauna/sediment etc.) to identify attractive traits to guide habitat protection. Telemetry data from tagged sharks will be integrated together with angler surveys, commercial and Angling data. Data from this project will ultimately contribute to pressure-reduction and spatial management strategies to identify remedial actions/recovery solutions for tope, one of the UK's most threatened shark species.

The successful candidate will have opportunities to acquire a diverse set of skills including, GIS mapping, ecological sampling, video analysis. You'll also work closely with the relevant agencies including The Southern Inshore Fisheries Conservation Agency and Angling Spirit Ltd, the company that runs the sea angling competitions.

In addition, you’ll have access to the Doctoral Development Programme and Department Postgraduate Researcher Training. Expected career opportunities would be academic research as well as conservation and fisheries resource management for government agencies, NGOs and environmental consultancies in the UK and beyond.
 

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 marine science or a related area
  • 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 a marine science background.

How to apply

We’d encourage you to contact Prof Gordon Watson ([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 ELS10081027 when applying.