Funding
Self-funded
Project code
BIOL4731020
Department
School of Biological SciencesStart dates
October, February and April
Application deadline
Applications accepted all year round
Applications are invited for a self-funded 3-year PhD.
The PhD will be based at the University's Institute of Marine Sciences, located in the heart of the Solent, and will be supervised by Dr Joanne Preston, Dr Sarah Marley, Dr Philine zu Ermgassen and Dr Gordon Watson.
The work on this project will involve:
- Working as part of a large restoration ecology team to restore oyster reefs to the Solent, in collaboration with Blue Marine Foundation, the UK/Ireland Native Oyster Network and the European Native Oyster Restoration Alliance (NORA)
- Utilising a range of marine ecological techniques to monitor the ecosystem services provided by a restored biogenic native oyster reef
- Soundscape and acoustic monitoring of fish biodiversity gains from oyster restoration
We are approaching the UN 'Decade of Ecological Restoration' 2021–2030 which recognises the urgent need for ecological restoration to mitigate biodiversity losses, impacts of climate change and to provide the ecosystem resilience and services on which society and human welfare depends.
Restoration of marine habitats, particularly seagrass meadows, saltmarsh systems and shellfish reefs have been identified as key habitats controlling coastal water quality through bioremediation services; providing food security via provisioning services; offering coastal protection by reducing erosion impacts. Additionally these habitats can mitigate climate change as significant carbon sinks via primary production, sequestration and burial.
Native oysters and the reef habitats they create have disappeared throughout Europe and the UK. Globally, over 85 per cent of oyster reefs have been lost. Oysters create biogenic reefs and provide net gains in biodiversity by providing habitats for many other species. The biodiversity gain and wider ecosystem services of restored biogenic oyster reefs has been demonstrated in the USA with large scale restoration projects, however the early stage of European restoration means that we have yet to quantify and value the ecosystem services provided by restoration of O. edulis populations.
The Solent Oyster Restoration Project is one of Europe's largest restoration projects; to date, a total of 69,000 oysters have been restored in a combination of sanctuary seabed sites and a novel 'brood stock' restoration cage system. The next phase is to increase this number to 5 million oysters, and we are seeking an exceptional PhD candidate to be part of a larger team working to achieve this ambitious restoration goal.
Based at the Institute of Marine Sciences, this PhD project provides an exciting opportunity to quantify the benefits of oyster restoration, in terms of net biodiversity gain and ecosystem services provided by this once abundant habitat. This PhD will also provide the metrics to develop European relevant natural capital valuation of oyster restoration.
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 an upper second class honours degree from an internationally recognised university or a Master’s degree in Marine Biology, Marine Ecology or a related discipline. 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 are looking for a talented student with a passion for marine conservation and ecology, with the interpersonal skills to work well as part of a dynamic and collaborative team. You should be confident and willing to conduct extensive field sampling and boat survey work. Ecological data analysis skills are not required but a willingness to develop these is essential.
How to apply
We'd encourage you to contact Dr Joanne Preston (joanne.preston@port.ac.uk) 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.
If you want to be considered for this self-funded PhD opportunity you must quote project code BIOL4731020 when applying.