Dr D Bailey, Dr P Wright
No more applications being accepted
Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
A fully funded PhD studentship is available to carry out a research project on the role of coastal environments in the life cycles of important commercial fish species. This work in Scotland will form part of a larger project investigating whether the availability of suitable “nursery habitats” for fish is a limiting factor, and the roles of marine protected areas (MPAs) for commercial fish. The studentship is part of an international project led by New Zealand’s National Institute for Water and Atmospheric Research.
Our previous work on this topic has revealed population structure in the focal species (Atlantic cod, haddock and whiting) with distinct nursery and spawning areas in some cases [1, 2]. We have also shown associations between seabed type and biodiversity and the abundance of the focal species [3, 4]. These findings have important implications for management and conservation and the proposed PhD project will take this work forward.
The work will involve the analysis of spatial patterns in trawl and trap catches, and surveys of fish abundance and body size using traps, Stereo Baited Remote Underwater Video (S-BRUV) and Stereo Diver Operated Video (S-DOV). The student will assess the effects of seabed type, water depth, wave exposure, fishing type and intensity, and any legal protections (MPA or fisheries closure) on fish. Age, growth and settlement time will be examined using otolith microstructure from juveniles sampled in trawl and trap catches. This will allow us to determine whether certain habitats and nursery locations favour survival.
The student will undertake a wide range of field surveys in Scottish waters, and analyse new and existing trawl, trap and video datasets. The student will learn how to process and analyse otoliths. The student will also learn and utilise a wide range of statistical analysis methods to tease apart the many factors which are likely to affect the survival and growth of juvenile fish, and their eventual contributions to fish stocks.
The student will learn a wide range of practical and analytical skills, working in an area of great scientific and applied interest. This will be excellent preparation for careers in conservation and fisheries research or management.
The selected candidate will be expected to pass an ENG1 seagoing medical. SCUBA diving qualifications at HSE SCUBA, BSAC Dive Leader, PADI Divemaster or equivalent would be an advantage but are not essential.
SCUBA divers should be able to pass an HSE Commercial Medical.
ENG1 Seagoing Medical
www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/288511/your_health_at_sea_6.pdf
MA1 Commercial Diver Medical
www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ma1.pdf
Because the student will need to enter government buildings and vessels during the course of their work the selected candidate will need to undertake a Disclosure Scotland check.
www.mygov.scot/about-disclosure-scotland/
Evidence of statistical analysis ability will be essential. Familiarity with the statistics program R would be advantageous.The successful student will be enrolled at University of Glasgow, with supervisors at Glasgow, MSS and NIWA.
Please apply via the University online application system: www.gla.ac.uk/research/opportunities/howtoapplyforaresearchdegree/applyonline/ and enter the project title in the programme description box.
Start date: 1 November 2017
Funding Notes
The studentship is funded by a MBIE grant to New Zealand’s National Institute for Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) and Marine Scotland Science (MSS). The studentship covers fees at the Home/EU rate only, plus a stipend at the RCUK level, for a total of 36 months.
References
References
1. Wright, P.J., et al., Evidence for metapopulation structuring in cod from the west of Scotland and North Sea. Journal of Fish Biology, 2006. 69: p. 181-199.
2. Tobin, D., et al., The importance of life stage to population connectivity in whiting (Merlangius merlangus) from the northern European shelf. Marine Biology, 2010. 157(5): p. 1063-1073.
3. Elliott, S., et al., An assessment of juvenile Atlantic cod Gadus morhua distribution and growth using diver operated stereo‐video surveys. Journal of fish biology, 2016. 89(2): p. 1190-1207.
4. Elliott, S.A., et al., Juvenile gadoids habitat association and ontogenetic shift observations using stereo-video baited cameras. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 2017.
Continue with Facebook
