NERC PhD studentship: Life-history variation in reproductive strategies of marine turtles

We are inviting applications for this NERC PhD studentship to commence September 2013. This studentship will be based in the Centre for Ecology and Conservation, Biosciences, Cornwall Campus, near Falmouth, under the supervision of Professor Brendan Godley ([Email Address Removed]) and Dr Annette Broderick.

We seek a talented ecologist to investigate the variation in reproductive strategies of marine turtles. As capital breeders, marine turtles typically lay multiple variable sized clutches, breed at intervals of 1-4 years and while some individuals are long distance migrants others forage locally between breeding years. The effects of such variation in life-history strategies are not known. This project will involve use and extension of our long term (>20yr) individual-based reproductive dataset on two species (green turtles and loggerhead turtles) in the eastern Mediterranean. The project will involve living and working at the field site in Cyprus from 15th May-15th Oct each year. Key attributes of the successful candidate will be: demonstrable field skills in marine turtle ecology, teambuilding, experience handling large datasets, GIS skills, statistical analysis and use of the program “R”. Although molecular skills are not a pre-requisite they would be an advantage and willingness to learn such laboratory techniques will be essential. To view other work carried out by the research group, including publications please visit: http://www.seaturtle.org/mtrg/

Eligibility: You must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a Masters degree or at least an Upper Second Class UK Honours degree (or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK) plus substantial post-graduate experience, in a relevant subject.

The studentship will cover a stipend at the standard Research Council rate (£13,726 per annum for 2013-2014), research costs and tuition fees at the UK/EU rate for students who meet the residency requirements outlined by NERC (see http://www.nerc.ac.uk/funding/available/postgrad/eligibility.asp). Students from EU countries who do not meet the residency requirements may still be eligible for a fees-only award.

Application procedures:

Please upload the following documents to the studentship application form - Click here to apply (see http://www.exeter.ac.uk/postgraduate/money/studentships/application/)
• CV
• Covering letter (outlining your academic interests, prior research experience and reasons for wishing to undertake the project).
• Transcript(s) giving full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained (this should be an interim transcript if you are still studying)
If you have any general enquiries about the application process please email [Email Address Removed] or phone +44 (0)1392 725150/723706/723310. Project specific queries should be directed to the supervisors.