PhD Studentship in School of Biology – Slug Physiology: Food Acceptability and Digestion

Start date and duration:
January 2017 for 3 years.

Overview:
Interested in behaviour and physiology of invertebrate animals? The PhD project will investigate the response of slugs to their food and methods that can be used to increase the palatability of molluscicidal pellets.

This studentship is one of a group of linked projects looking at ways to improve control of pest slugs whilst minimising contamination of water supplies with metaldehyde. The overall aim of this PhD position is to get a better understanding of slug’s response to their food, including:
•examining factors affecting acceptability and palatability of food
•investigating the interactions between slug gut physiology and new pellet types based on controlled release/ microencapsulation technology.

Sponsor:
UKWIR (https://www.ukwir.org/eng/about-water-industry-research)

Name of supervisor(s):
Dr Gordon Port, School of Biology (http://www.ncl.ac.uk/biology/staff/profile/gordonport.html#research)

Eligibility Criteria:
You must have at least a 2:1 Honours degree in biology, zoology or a related subject or international equivalent.

This award is available to UK/EU candidates. International candidates should indicate how they expect to pay the difference between UK/EU fees and International fees (about £11,000 per annum). If English is not your first language, you must have IELTS 6.5 with at least 5.5 in the written component.

How to apply:
You must apply through the University’s online postgraduate application system (http://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply/). To do this please ‘Create a new account’.

All relevant fields should be completed, but fields marked with a red asterisk must to be completed. The following information will help us to process your application. You will need to:
•insert the programme code 8020F in the programme of study section
•select ‘PhD School of Biology- Biological Sciences’ as the programme of study
•insert the studentship code bi017 in the studentship/partnership reference field
•attach a covering letter and CV. The covering letter must state the title of the studentship, quote reference code bi017 and state how your interests and experience relate to the project
•attach degree transcripts and certificates and, if English is not your first language, a copy of your English language qualifications
•You should also email your covering letter and CV to Dr Gordon Port.

Contact:
Dr Gordon Port
School of Biology
E-mail: [Email Address Removed]
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 6894