Predicting the Implications of Changes in Migration Phenology for the Conservation of Atlantic Salmon

We are recruiting a high calibre PhD researcher to work on a three year fully funded studentship investigating changes in the migrations of Atlantic salmon in relation to factors including climate change, with an emphasis on how changes in smolt migrations are impacting survival to spawning adults.

The Atlantic salmon is an ecological and economically important species whose populations are generally in decline across its range. Increasingly, evidence suggests that when the salmon migrate to sea as smolts, their condition (e.g. body size) and timing of seaward migration - their ‘migration phenology’ - strongly influence their marine growth and survival. However, due to environmental changes (e.g. warming from climate change), smolt migrations now occur earlier and average smolt body lengths are decreasing. These changes might thus be adversely impacting sea growth and survival, and so the long-term sustainability of populations.

The research will therefore test hypotheses relating to the causes of the contemporary population declines in anadromous salmonids, especailly Atlantic salmon, with a focus on changes in their migration phenology. Testing will be completed using modelling approaches, with models initially developed using a long-term dataset on the River Frome, Dorset, before exploring the utility of these models on other salmon rivers in Britain and Northern France. Research objectives (O) are to: (O1) quantify general impacts of smolt condition (including length, weight and condition) on marine survival (e.g. age- and stage-specific survival); (O2) test the importance of smolt condition on marine survival versus alternative factors; (O3) explore the mechanisms driving impacts of smolt condition on marine survival; and (O4) use results of (O1) to (O3) to generalise findings to other populations and species, and identify potential management mitigation tools.

Field data collected in the studentship will add to long-term salmon data on the Frome, during which juvenile fish have been measured and tagged. Data from fixed tag recording stations and recapture events then provide individual smolt migration data and their complete life histories (i.e. immature juvenile to adult spawner). These are the data that will be used to develop the population models to test the relationships between migration phenology, marine growth and survival, and adult run size.
The studentship provides a range of training and research opportunities. Applicants are expected to have some experience of migratory fish ecology and statistical modelling techniques. PhD partners are the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust and their partners in the SAMARCH European Inter-regional project (http://samarch.org/).

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 4 years.
The PhD Studentships are open to UK, EU and international students. Candidates for a PhD Studentship should demonstrate outstanding qualities and be motivated to complete a PhD in 4 years and must demonstrate:

• A 1st class honours degree and/or a relevant Master’s degree with distinction or equivalent.If English is not your first language you’ll need IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 minimum (with a minimum 6.0 in each component).

It is desirable for candidates to have experience of the ecology of migratory fish and statistical modelling techniques.

In addition to satisfying minimum 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.