Study with CDT SuMMeR

PhD projects, studentships and application guidance

Getty. Brixham. Fishing community, maritime, marine, devon

Applications for Cohort 3 of the CDT SuMMeR are now closed for this year’s PhD Studentships.

The opportunities that have been offered by our host institutions for Round 2 of Cohort 3 can still be browsed via the information below.

The closing date for applications was 16:00 BST on 27 June 2024.

University of Exeter projects

CDTS331: Exploring factors underpinning resilience and identifying avenues for restoration of maerl beds, a priority habitat for marine conservation

Lead Supervisor: Mike Allen (m.allen5@exeter.ac.uk)
2nd Supervisor: Peter Robins (p.robins@bangor.ac.uk)
Associate Partner: Natural England

Project Description

Similar to reefs formed by colony-building hard corals, maerl (coralline algae) needs sunlight to photosynthesise and can aggregate to form dense biogenic habitats, known as maerl beds (Figure 1), providing a 3-dimensional habitat on the seafloor. These beds are important nursery areas for fish and shellfish of commercial importance, e.g. cod, scallops; they have also been shown to sequester carbon at similar rates to salt marshes and seagrass beds. However, while listed as priority habitats under UK and European legislation, little is known about the reproduction and biology of these coralline algae. This knowledge is key to understanding the resilience of maerl-forming species to environmental and climate change, and for directing conservation actions to drive recovery and restoration of degraded maerl beds. This PhD will explore the environmental, biological and genetic factors that may be acting to drive degradation. Subsequently, we will look to propose management actions to remedy this situation, to halt decline and promote restoration.

Aims and Objectives

This project addresses key knowledge gaps in maerl biology and ecology: in reproduction, biology, resilience, connectivity and diversity of maerl-forming species using a multidisciplinary approach, including aquarium experiments, ocean current modelling, microscopy and genomics.

Aquarium experiments will explore how light restriction (sedimentation), salinity (freshwater discharge) and temperature (ocean warming) affect maerl. Microscopy will identify reproductive structures, enabling follow-up studies of when and under what conditions maerl-forming algae reproduce sexually/asexually. The project will utilise recently developed genomic and eDNA resources for two maerl-forming species (Phymatolithon calcareum and Lithothamnion corallioides); this will allow investigation of the adaptability of maerl and assessment of organismal diversity within maerl beds using eDNA. In conjunction with our stakeholder partners, results will feed directly into the conservation, management and restoration of maerl beds. The student will have the opportunity to feed into the planning and execution of laboratory trials, and field assessments of diversity, including sample collection and eDNA surveys.

Training

Training will be given in ocean current modelling, genomics and eDNA analysis, field-based marine diversity sampling and assessment, and in the use of aquarium facilities at the Exeter Aquatic Resource Centre (ARC), allowing investigation of maerl growth patterns under differing environmental stressors. A visit to a partner laboratory in Spain will allow the student to learn the techniques required for accurate identification of algal reproductive structures.

The student will be based at Exeter (Streatham campus), with access to a fully equipped, modern molecular research laboratory and the Exeter Sequencing Service. The Exeter team hold a large selection of maerl samples from different sites around England and Wales, which the student will be supported to supplement early in the project, providing opportunities for field work, and aquarium studies. The student will work with supervisors and stakeholder partners (Natural England and NRW) to feed project findings into national policies.

Supervisory Team

The project will be supervised by a transdisciplinary team Mike Allen (University of Exeter), Peter Robins (Bangor University) and Dr Magnus Axelsson (Natural England), with support from Profs Jamie Stevens (University of Exeter) and Jason Hall-Spencer (University of Plymouth). In addition, Dr Viviana Peña Freire (University of A Coruña, Spain) and Dr Frances Ratcliffe (Natural Resources Wales) will provide supervisory support.

Figure 1. A maerl bed at St Mawes Bank in the Fal Estuary, Falmouth, England’s largest known maerl bed.

University of Plymouth projects

CDTS329: Advanced Modelling of Two-Way Coupling Effects in Floating Offshore Wind Farms (FLOW): Integration and Impacts on Marine and Atmospheric Systems (FLOW-IIMAS)

Lead Supervisor: Deborah Greaves (deborah.greaves@plymouth.ac.uk)
2nd Supervisor: Matthew Palmer (mpa@pml.ac.uk)
Associate Partner: Met Office

Project Description

The "Advanced Modelling of Two-Way Coupling Effects in Floating Offshore Wind Farms (FLOW): Integration and Impacts on Marine and Atmospheric Systems (FLOW-IIMAS)" PhD offers an innovative opportunity for those interested in pursuing research at the forefront of renewable energy technology. The programme's groundbreaking research initiative explores the intricate interactions between floating offshore wind farms and their surrounding marine and atmospheric environments. The FLOW-IIMAS programme employs state-of-the-art modelling techniques and access to laboratory and field data to optimise the sustainability and efficiency of FLOW technologies, thereby advancing the understanding of how wind power can be harnessed above and below the ocean's surface.

Aims

Enhance Environmental Modelling: Develop sophisticated models to accurately depict the complex two-way interactions between FLOW installations and their environments.
Optimize FLOW Design: Use these models to improve the design and operation of FLOW farms, ensuring they are more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly.
Advance Policy and Practice: Generate insights that will inform policy recommendations and best practices for the deployment of offshore wind technologies globally.

Training

Participants in the FLOW-IIMAS program will receive comprehensive training in:
Advanced Computational Modelling: Learn to use and develop state-of-the-art simulation models that integrate atmospheric and oceanic dynamics, including but not limited to FVCOM, WRF, SWAN, OpenFAST

Interdisciplinary Research Skills:
Gain expertise across oceanography, atmospheric sciences, environmental engineering, and data analysis.
Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with a broad network of industry experts, policymakers, and community groups to ensure research relevance and impact.

Project Structure

Year 1: Foundations and Modelling Framework Development: Conduct a thorough literature review and become proficient with complex modelling tools (WRF, FVCOM, SWAN).
Year 2: Data Collection and Initial Simulations: Implement models to simulate different FLOW types and begin preliminary validations with real-world data.
Year 3: Advanced Modelling and Environmental Impact Studies: Refine models and conduct detailed studies on the environmental impacts of FLOW.
Year 4: Application and Dissemination: Extend the framework to other FLOW types, synthesize findings into a doctoral thesis, and disseminate results through conferences, publications, and policy roundtables.

Supervisory Team

The project will be supervised by Deborah Greaves (with Jiaxin Chen and Lars Johanning at the University of Plymouth), Matthew Palmer (with Ricardo Torres at Plymouth Marine Laboratory), Ségolène Berthou (Met Office), Michael Blair (The Crown Estate).

CDTS330: Plastic pellet pollution: establishing safe and proportionate clean up responses

Lead Supervisor: Dr Sarah Gall (sarah.gall@plymouth.ac.uk)
2nd Supervisor: Dr Winnie-Courtene-Jones (hello.winniecj@gmail.com)
Associate Partner: Scottish Government’s Marine Directorate (previously Marine Scotland)

Project Description

The research generated by this exciting transdisciplinary PhD will be at the cutting edge of work to address plastic pellet pollution in the marine environment, with direct relevance to global policy. The research will include ecological, social and economic components; you will be working in the field to test a variety of clean-up methods, assessing their efficacy and working with stakeholders to determine the best approach to cleaning up pellet pollution.

Aims and Objectives

The overall aim of this PhD is to provide a robust evidence base for decision making around clean-up of plastic pellets in intertidal marine environments. This will be delivered by five interrelated research questions:

RQ1. What is currently known about plastic pellet pollution in the marine environment?
RQ2. How effective are the various options for clean-up at removing plastic pellets?
RQ3. Are there unintended environmental consequences of clean-up?
RQ4. What are the social and economic costs of clean-up operations?
RQ5. What are appropriate guidelines for pellet spill clean-up in different intertidal environments, and what should be the priorities for management of spills?

Training

You will receive training in ecological, economic and social research methods, statistical packages (R, NVivo), QGIS, and in how to engage with and communicate science to a range of stakeholders including regulators and policymakers.

Project structure

The project is stepwise and will be undertaken in chapters with each component lasting for 6-9 months, except for RQs 2&3 which will be complimentary and are likely to run concurrently. The team will support you to develop publishable content from each chapter.

Supervisory Team

The project will be supervised by Dr Sarah Gall (University of Plymouth), Dr Winnie Courtene-Jones (Bangor University), Dr Lynda Rodwell and Prof Richard Thompson OBE FRS (University of Plymouth) and Morag Campbell (Scottish Government’s Marine Directorate).

CDTS332: Understanding the Primary Drivers for Seagrass (Zostera marina) Regeneration and Loss

Lead Supervisor: Jennifer Rowntree (jennifer.rowntree@plymouth.ac.uk)
2nd Supervisor: Glen Wheeler (glw@mba.ac.uk)
Associate Partner: Ocean Conservation Trust

Project Description

In the shallow coastal waters around the UK, we are losing an important, but hidden habitat. Seagrasses are the only angiosperm that live fully in the marine environment, and they provide important nursery grounds for fish, can clean excess nutrients from the water and have the potential to sequester carbon to mitigate climate change. The Ocean Conservation Trust, based in the National Marine Aquarium, has been working to address seagrass habitat loss in the UK since 2013. They are leaders at growing subtidal seagrass for reintroduction and key partners in large scale restoration projects. Restoring habitats that have been degraded or destroyed is difficult, especially when we have limited information about the processes that govern growth and survival of the organisms involved. There are also huge challenges in delivering the scale of restoration effort required to meet government recommendations. In a partnership between the OCT, the Marine Biological Association and the University of Plymouth, this project seeks to answer outstanding questions that will lead to improved restoration success in seagrass beds and enable a faster roll-out of restoration activities.

Aims and objectives

The aims of the project are to understand the interactions between genetic, physiological and environmental factors in the regeneration and growth of Zostera marina in the UK. It will investigate whether success of regeneration is higher with seeds or rhizomes as a propagule source and what the wider impact of this might be on long-term habitat retention; how genetic and environmental factors interact to influence seagrass growth and survival; and how different populations of seagrass beds respond to perturbations and the reasons for this. Finally, it will identify the values held by different stakeholders, from government, to NGOs, to public and to investors of a successful restoration.

Project Structure

Project activities will be structured across the programme with an emphasis on gaining molecular skills in the first year. There will be field activities throughout the project, which will be coupled with plant growth experiments and application of physiological techniques from year two. The project will be supervised by a multidisciplinary team of researchers from three different institutes in Plymouth (UoP, MBA & NMA) providing a unique opportunity to experience different research environments and working in a transdisciplinary team.

Training

Training will be provided in molecular, physiological and ecological techniques along with experimental design and statistical analysis. Activities will be undertaken across laboratory, plant growth facilities and in the field and you will gain experience of ex-situ plant cultivation and in-situ planting and monitoring activities. You will also learn simple socio-ecological techniques to engage with stakeholders and understand their perspectives. By working closely with the Ocean Conservation Trust, you will also be directly involved in active seagrass restoration efforts within the UK.

Supervisory Team

The project will be supervised by Dr Jennifer Rowntree (University of Plymouth), Dr Glen Wheeler (Marine Biological Association), Mark Parry (Ocean Conservation Trust). In addition, Prof Melanie Austen (University of Plymouth) and Andy Cameron (Ocean Conservation Trust) will co-supervise.

Information for applicants

Cohort 3 of the CDT SuMMeR is now closed for applications.

Eligibility

Applicants should have a first or upper second-class honours degree in an appropriate subject and either a relevant master’s qualification or a wider range of experience in a relevant career path (which is equally as important).

Each applicant may apply for a studentship on up to three projects. Where more than one project is applied for, the supervisors of all those projects will be made aware that other applications have been made.

The CDT SuMMeR is not able to offer further UKRI-funded postgraduate studentships to international candidates during this round. This is due to a cap on international studentships awarded that has been set by the funder: the number of international candidates permitted has already been reached for this cohort. If you will need a student visa to study in the UK, then unfortunately you will not be eligible during this round of applications.

CDT SuMMeR studentships are partially funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), which applies the eligibility criteria laid down by its parent body, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), and co-funded by the respective Hosting Partner institutes. UKRI provides details on its training grants in its Terms and Conditions for Training Funding document, including its Training Grant Guide, which can be found on the UKRI website.

The studentship is supported for 3 years and 8 months. All UKRI-funded PhD’s will be eligible for the full award – both the stipend to support living costs (£18,622 per academic year at full time equivalent at the 2023/24 rate), and tuition fees at the research organisation’s UK rate.

In case of uncertainty, the planned university of registration should be contacted for eligibility advice; or the CDT SuMMeR Programme Office: cdt-summer-pgrs@plymouth.ac.uk.

How to apply

Applications are now closed for Cohort 3.

Shortlisted candidates who have applied for projects in Cohort 3 Round 2 will be contacted by email and invited for interview, with interviews expected to take place from the week commencing 8 July 2024. We regret that we may not be able to respond to every applicant. Applicants who have not received a response by this date should consider their application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.