Fish in a biogeochemical barrel: taking aim at the evolutionary consequences of nutrient colimitation in freshwater

How does the abiotic chemistry of the environment affect biotic evolution? We have almost no idea! There is more information available on the genome sequence of most organisms than on their elemental composition! We seek an ecology, biology or chemistry graduate with an interest in evolution, for an exciting, interdisciplinary, collaborative PhD to investigate how fish evolution is affected by the chemistry of the water in which they live and the food they eat. The successful candidate will carry out fieldwork in the Scottish Outer Hebrides and fish husbandry in Nottingham. They will learn advanced chemical/stable isotope techniques to quantify and model the elemental composition of fish, their diet and environment, and use image analysis to quantify variation in fish morphology. Additional opportunities in bioinformatic analysis of genomic datasets are possible depending on the candidates own interests. The student will receive training in advanced statistical methods, and in evolutionary biology, and practical training in quantification of morphological phenotypes. The successful candidate will be based in Nottingham, but will make supervisory visits to Lancaster.

Applicants should have an interest in evolutionary biology and/or ecology and a STRONG background in chemistry (A level at least). Applicants should hold a minimum of a UK Honours degree at 2.1 or equivalent in a STEM subject (science, technology, engineering, maths). Candidates with additional (e.g. Masters) qualifications will be looked on favourably.