About the Project
River connectivity is of fundamental importance for ensuring freshwater fishes are able to access the range of functional habitats required for completion of their lifecycle (e.g. habitats for feeding and spawning). Many river fishes are very mobile, regularly moving considerable distances to access different functional habitats. Rivers with high habitat heterogeneity and connectivity, including to laterally connected, off-channel lakes, can thus sustain more diverse fish communities and economically important fisheries than rivers that have been disconnected from off-channel habitats. When rivers are disconnected from adjacent lakes for extended periods, such as when those lakes are being restored by biomanipulation, then it provides the opportunity to study how the lake-river disconnection impacts the behaviour and ecology of the resident and mobile fish communities. Thus, the PhD aims to determine how biomanipulation affects the ecology of the resident fish community in the restored lake, and how lake-river disconnection impacts the behavioural ecology of the mobile fishes across different spatial scales. The study river is the River Bure, Norfolk, and Hoveton Great Broad (HGB) is the eutrophic, connected lake being biomanipulated (involving river disconnection and fish removals). Focal fish species are bream Abramis brama, a highly mobile species, and pike Esox lucius, a more sedentary species. The research aims are met through a combination of extant data and collation of new data on fish behavioural ecology and other communities from the river and broad. In particular, there will be focus on integrating fish movement data from telemetry with data on fish trophic ecology. The PhD thus provides substantial research opportunities and training in freshwater and fish ecology, including in telemetry and, stable isotope analysis. Although the successful candidate will be based at Bournemouth University, they will spend considerable time in the field.
How to apply: Applications are made via our website using the Apply Online button below. If you have an enquiry about this project please contact us via the Email NOW button below, however your application will only be processed once you have submitted an application form as opposed to emailing your CV to us.
Candidates for funded PhD studentship must demonstrate outstanding qualities and be motivated to complete a PhD in 3 years.
Fully-funded studentship candidates must demonstrate outstanding academic potential with preferably a 1st class honours degree and/or a Master’s degree with distinction or equivalent Grade Point Average. An IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 minimum (with a minimum 5.5 in each component) is essential for candidates for whom English is not their first language.
In addition to satisfying basic 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.
Funding Notes
Funded candidates will receive a maintenance grant of £14,000 (unless otherwise specified) per annum, to cover their living expenses and have their fees waived for 36 months. In addition, research costs, including field work and conference attendance, will be met.
Funded Studentships are open to both UK/EU and International students unless otherwise specified.