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

Fish in a biogeochemical barrel: taking aim at the evolutionary consequences of nutrient colimitation in freshwater. 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 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, as well as in advanced chemical analysis. 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, engineerings, maths). Candidates with additional (e.g. Masters) qualifications will be looked on favourably.

For further details please contact Dr Andrew MacColl, [Email Address Removed].