Dr J Ironside
No more applications being accepted
Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
For full details of this scholarship, please visit: http://kess2.ac.uk/au30004/
This PhD project aims to compare the genetic diversity, growth and development of cockles from fisheries with a history of recurrent mass mortalities with those from fisheries exhibiting a normal, multi-age structure. Comparisons of genetic diversity between cockle age classes may detect signatures of natural selection as well as providing valuable information on patterns of larval recruitment from year to year. Comparisons of morphology, physiology and behaviour between the Burry Inlet and healthy populations will provide information on why the Burry Inlet cockles typically fail to survive to reproduce beyond their first year.
Proposed methodologies
Field Work
The student will collect cockles and cockle larvae from the intertidal zone at the Burry Inlet and other locations containing cockle habitat. This will allow comparisons of age classes present at a given time and will also allow a the same cohort of cockles to be sampled repeatedly as it ages over the course of the project.
Population genetics
Following DNA extraction, genetic diversity of cockles from different locations and different age classes will initially be compared using an established panel of microsatellite markers. Next-generation sequencing methodologies will then be used to detect signatures of selection in a subset of samples.
Phenotypic traits
Growth, behaviour and physiology of cockles from the Burry Inlet and other locations will be compared under common garden conditions in the laboratory. This will allow the student to ascertain how Burry Inlet cockles differ from healthy population, and whether early mortality in Burry cockles has a direct environmental cause or if differences between the Burry and other populations are maintained under laboratory conditions.
The studentship
Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarships (KESS 2) is a pan-Wales higher level skills initiative led by Bangor University on behalf of the HE sector in Wales. It is part funded by the Welsh Government’s European Social Fund (ESF) convergence programme for West Wales and the Valleys.
The successful candidate will need to be resident in the convergence area on registration, and must have the right to work in the region on qualification. The successful applicant should have a minimum of a 1st or good 2:1 in a relevant degree, and be available to take up the studentship by 1st October 2018. The project is part-funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) through the European Union’s Convergence programme administered by the Welsh Government. KESS II PhD scholarships are collaborative awards with external partners. (Applicants need to only apply, they do not need to search for partners).
To apply, please submit the following to the Postgraduate Admissions Office (address below) by 1st June 2018:
1. A completed Research Programme Application Form, two references. Application and reference forms may be downloaded from http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/postgrad/howtoapply/
2. A completed KESS II Participant proposal form (put the reference number AU30004 in the top right hand box of the application form) and an up-to-date CV. KESS II application forms are available to download at the link below.
http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/rbi/staff-students/knowledge-economy-skills-scholarships/currentscholarshipvacanciesandapplicationforms/
3. A PhD proposal of up to 1,000 words where you expand on your experience and interests and describe why you are a good candidate for this research studentship. Please refer to the Project Description.
Value of Award: A stipend of £14,340 (rising in accordance with inflation for the remaining two years). Each scholarship has an additional budget for travel, equipment/consumables and training to support your research. KESS II PhD Scholarship holders do not pay fees.
Length: Full-time for 3 years. (Theses must be submitted 6 months after the funded three year study period.)
Training: The achievement of a Postgraduate Skills Development Award (PSDA) is compulsory for each KESS II scholar (The PSDA is based on a 60 credit award, which is an additional award to the PhD).
Eligibility: To be eligible to apply for a KESS II award, you must be resident, upon starting the scholarship, in the Convergence Area of Wales and you must be able to take paid employment in the Convergence area on completion of the scholarship.
Informal enquiries should be made to Dr Joseph Ironside at [Email Address Removed] or 01970 621518
Address for applications:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Recruitment & Admissions
Student Welcome Centre
Aberystwyth University
Aberystwyth
SY23 3FB
Quote Reference AU30004
Funding Notes
Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarships (KESS 2) is a pan-Wales higher level skills initiative led by Bangor University on behalf of the HE sector in Wales. It is part funded by the Welsh Government’s European Social Fund (ESF) convergence programme for West Wales and the Valleys.
The successful candidate will need to be resident in the convergence area on registration, and must have the right to work in the region on qualification.