Project details
Recent decades have been characterised by unprecedented environmental transformations across the globe, with rapid changes in climate and natural habitat fragmentation driven by food production systems and business practices. Although our understandings on how environmental change impacts aquatic biodiversity are improving, considerable knowledge gaps remain, including in species whose lifecycles encompass multiple habitats over large spatial scales, and especially in migratory species that use multiple environments across in their lifecycles. An example of such long-distance migrating fishes is the European eel that migrates between the South Atlantic and Northern Europe and where there are substantial knowledge gaps on the ecology and phenology of their emigration to Europe in their initial life-stages.
The aim of this PhD is to use European eel as an appropriate critically-endangered model migratory species to determine the migration ecology and phenology of their juvenile migrants as they enter their continental habitats for the first time. Using biotelemetry, physiology and eDNA methods and assessing the social importance of juvenile migrants (e.g. subsistence exploitation), objectives (O) are to:
O1. Evaluate the migration phenology and ecology of juvenile life-stages of the model species across continental Europe, including quantifying their body mass, age composition and trophic ecology;
O2. Test relationships between juvenile abundance, habitat connectivity and the extent of environmental transformation in populations of the model species;
O3. Evaluate how shifts in juvenile recruitment have wider ecological and social implications, including how management responses can enhance recruitment success.
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The closing date for applications is 17 April 2023.
Supervisors
Robert is an aquatic ecologist who specialises in fish ecology. His research interests cover the impacts on aquatic fauna of anthropogenic stressors, including invasive alien species (including parasites), habitat loss and climate change. Robert works on issues ranging from the ecological consequences of biological invasions through to the predicting the impacts of climate change on fish life history traits. He generally applies empirical approaches, including stable isotope analysis and aquatic telemetry and population genetics.
Outputs of his work have included the development of risk management schemes for invasive species, analysis and evaluation of invasive fish eradication programmes and increased understandings of invasion patterns and processes. Robert works on a range of natural systems (e.g. River Severn, Norfolk Broads, River Frome) and experimental systems using more controlled conditions.
Subjects of recent publications include predicting the impact of climate change on the growth and distribution of cyprinid fishes, the use of biocontrol to manage invasive fish populations and how invasive fish and parasites affect food web structure. Robert is an associate editor for the Journal of Applied Ecology and Biological Invasions.
Funding
A fully-funded Studentship includes a maintenance grant of £17,668 per year to contribute towards living expenses during the course of your research, as well as a fee waiver for 36 months. Associated costs, such as for fieldwork and conference attendance, will also be met under the Studentship.
Academic support
The Research Development Programme, developed by the Doctoral College in line with the Researcher Development Framework (Vitae).
An added benefit is the opportunity to meet researchers from other academic schools at BU through the activities of the Doctoral College and benefit from their experiences, skills, and perspectives.
Full entry requirements
The BU PhD and MRes Studentships are open to UK, EU and International students.
Candidates for a PhD Studentship should demonstrate outstanding qualities and be motivated to complete a PhD in 4 years and must demonstrate:
- Outstanding academic potential as measured normally by either a 1st class honours degree (or equivalent Grade Point Average (GPA) or a Master’s degree with distinction or equivalent
- An IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 minimum (with a minimum 6.0 in each component, or equivalent) for candidates for whom English is not their first language and this must be evidenced at point of application.
In addition to satisfying minimum entry criteria, BU will look closely at the qualities, skills and background of each candidate and what they can bring to their chosen research project in order to ensure successful completion.
Applicants will be asked to submit an online application form and a proposal (approximately 1500 words) outlining their understanding of the project for which they are applying, the approach they would envisage taking and what qualities they will bring to the research community.
Please note:
- current BU Doctoral students are not eligible to apply for a Studentship
- current MRes/MPhil students can apply, subject to satisfactory completion of their Research Degree prior to being able to take up the award
- PhD Studentships cannot be used to support BU staff to complete doctoral programmes.
Additional entry requirements:
Candidates are expected to have some relevant field based experience and knowledge of the application of fish telemetry methods.
International entry requirements
If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence that you can understand English to a satisfactory level. English language requirements for this course are normally:
IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 (with a minimum 6.0 in each component) or equivalent.
View further information about our English language requirements.
A number of pre-sessional English and preparatory programmes are offered through our partner institution, Bournemouth University International College, and will get you ready for study at BU at the appropriate level.
You can also find further details of the international qualifications we accept, and what level of study they apply to, on our postgraduate entry requirements page.
How to apply
Click the green ‘Apply now’ button at the top of the page and complete the online application form. You can find further guidance about applying for a postgraduate research degree in our Postgraduate Research section.
The closing date for applications 17 April 2023.
Careers
A research degree can open new career opportunities in commercial research and development, consultancy, or could lead you to starting your own business. You may alternatively consider a career in academia. You may wish to undertake research to contribute to your knowledge of a specialist subject, or develop your employability by enhancing your skills in project management and analysis.
