Will selective breeding futureproof shellfish production against global change? Biosciences NERC GW4+ DTP PhD studentship

This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding from the NERC Great Western Four+ Doctoral Training Partnership (GW4+ DTP). The partnership aims to provide a broad training in earth and environmental sciences, designed to train tomorrow’s leaders in earth and environmental science. For further details about the programme please see http://nercgw4plus.ac.uk/

The studentships will provide funding for a stipend which is currently £14,553 per annum for 2017-2018, research costs and UK/EU tuition fees at Research Council UK rates for 42 months (3.5 years) for full-time students, pro rata for part-time students.


Supervisors:
Main Supervisor: Dr Robert Ellis (University of Exeter)
Co-Supervisors: Dr Eduarda Santos (University of Exeter) and Dr Ceri Lewis (University of Exeter)

Location: Streatham Campus, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon.

Project Description:
Sustainable intensification of aquaculture is vital to ensure adequate seafood provision for a growing human population. However, this industry faces significant production challenges in the coming decades associated with changing global climate, environmental sustainability and the increasing emergence and outbreak of disease. Urgent research is therefore required to improve resilience in this sector and enable production to be doubled by 2050 in order to meet increasing demand1.
Bivalve aquaculture is critical for this sustainable intensification, representing the least environmentally impactful production sector1. However, bivalves are also highlighted amongst the most vulnerable organisms with respect to climate change2. Whilst enhancing bivalve stocks through selective breeding programs has been highlighted as a vital tool for futureproofing production3,4, very little is known about the mechanisms that determine the success of this approach. This therefore represents a key question to address as part of a global effort to optimize shellfish aquaculture production globally.

Project Aims and Methods:
Focusing on mussels, the leading aquaculture sector in Europe by weight (36 % total), this project aims to address two critically important questions. Firstly whether local adaptation has led to wild mussel populations being tolerant of extreme environmental conditions, analogous to projected climate change scenarios. And secondly, where adaptive traits occur, whether selective breeding can be successfully used as a tool for stock enhancement within the mussel aquaculture sector. To address these questions the project will use a multi-disciplinary experimental approach employing physiological, genetic and transcriptomic techniques, undertaking a combination of both field and laboratory based trials. This will enable the assessment of mussel performance across a range of both current and near-future conditions, as well as elucidate factors determining the success, and thus viability, of selective breeding as a strategy for futureproofing bivalve aquaculture. Furthermore, to enhance global relevance, this project includes two international placements to work with key collaborators, Dr Anne Todgham (UC Davis, California) and Dr Mauricio Urbina (University of Concepción, Chile).

By simultaneously advancing current understanding of adaptation in a globally important marine species alongside the selective breeding of mussels, this project therefore offers an exciting opportunity, with the potential to revolutionize bivalve aquaculture globally.

Candidate:
This project would suit a candidate with a masters (or equivalent experience) in aquatic sciences, a strong background in marine biology/aquatic ecology, experience in working with marine invertebrate physiology/genetics (preferably in marine bivalves), and a strong interest in climate change, population ecology and/or aquaculture.

Training:
The student will receive extensive training in animal husbandry, field sampling and setting up/running climate change perturbation experiments, together with more specialized training in genetic, transcriptomic and physiology techniques.

Entry requirements:
Applicants should have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK. Applicants with a Lower Second Class degree will be considered if they also have Master’s degree. Applicants with a minimum of Upper Second Class degree and significant relevant non-academic experience are encouraged to apply.

All applicants would need to meet our English language requirements by the start of the project http://www.exeter.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply/english/.http://www.exeter.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply/english/.

Applicants who are classed as International for tuition fee purposes are not eligible for funding.