Benefits and impacts of use of light in UK fisheries and their wider effect on the marine environment

Applications are invited for three 3.5 year PhD studentships with the Marine Institute, due to start on 1 October 2026.
Crab traps stacked on a Harbour. - stock photo

Benefits and impacts of use of light in UK fisheries and their wider effect on the marine environment

Applications are invited for three 3.5 year PhD studentships with the Marine Institute, due to start on 1 October 2026.

Apply 

To apply for the Solutions for the Marine Environment (SERVO) PhD studentship please simply click on the ‘online application’ link below for PhD Marine Sciences
Online application
Within the Research section of the application form, in the following fields, please add: 
  • 'Proposed project title/studentship title' add: SERVO 26-10 Stewart
  • ‘Proposed supervisor’ add Dr Bryce Stewart
It is important that you follow the instructions above or your application for this studentship may be missed and therefore will not be considered.
When the application asks for a research proposal, please just upload a blank document. A research proposal is not needed for this programme as you are applying directly to a studentship project.

Application Guidance 

Before applying, please ensure you have read the Doctoral College’s general information on applying for a postgraduate research degree .
For more information on the admissions process please contact research.degree.admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.
Fisherman with crab traps/cages on a boat.
Lead Supervisor (DoS):  Dr Bryce Stewart (also MBA)
Second Supervisor: Dr Thomas Davies
Third Supervisor: Professor Tim Smyth
Additional Supervisors: Dr Rob Enever, Dr Harry Thatcher, Mr Tom Hooper (Fishtek Marine)
Applications are invited for three 3.5 year PhD studentships with the Marine Institute at the University of Plymouth. The studentships are due to start on 1 October 2026.
This project is one of eight topics being considered for an anticipated three studentships. Six topics are inviting candidates from open recruitment, with the remaining two following a different route to interview. The studentships will be allocated to the best combinations of candidate and project as they emerge from the interviews across all topics. Browse all available topics .
Plymouth has been at the forefront of global marine research for more than a century, and today it is home to the largest concentration of marine researchers in the UK. Come and join our vibrant community of marine PhD students.

Project description 

Lights are increasingly being used in marine environments to augment catches of fish and shellfish. However, there is currently only a very superficial understanding of how lights may affect the wider ecosystem, and whether they prove to be a more sustainable methodology than existing fishing gear types.
In the UK, Fishtek Marine have developed the scallop pot (Enever et al. 2022), which - through a world first discovery - uses lights inside adapted crab and lobster pots to attract king scallops (Pecten maximus) in commercial quantities. This method is thought to have a much lower environmental impact than the currently widespread approach of dredging and has attracted significant interest from other countries such as Norway, France, Canada and Australia. However, development of the fishery is still at an early stage and questions remain over the way in which the lights attract scallops and the potential effects of this method of fishing on scallop stocks, other species and the wider ecosystem. 
Through analysis of existing data, aquarium and field-based experiments, and modelling of populations, the candidate will address the following research topics:
  • Cascade effects of pot lights on scallops and other marine species using remote cameras
  • Effects of lights on scallop movement using tagging in relation to density and environmental conditions
  • Effects of lights on scallop reproduction and population dynamics
The candidate will gain skills in:
  • Data analysis and interpretation
  • Experimental design and application in aquarium and field-based settings
  • Modelling of population dynamics
Professional development will include working on research and fishing vessels, presenting research at national and international events, media training and co-authorship of additional non-PhD publications. This training will prepare the candidate for careers in academia, environmental consultancy, conservation, and resource management.

Eligibility

Applicants should have a first or upper second class honours degree in an appropriate subject or a relevant Masters qualification. We seek a motivated candidate with strong analytical skills, and an interest in biodiversity, fisheries and conservation. Willingness to join boat-based fieldwork is essential. An appropriate SCUBA diving qualification is desirable but not essential.
If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum English requirements for the programme, IELTS Academic score of 6.5 (with no less than 5.5 in each component test area) or equivalent.
The studentships are supported for 3.5 years and include full Home or International tuition fees plus a stipend at the 2026/27 UKRI rate (to be confirmed; compare the 2025/26 UKRI rate of £20,780 per annum). The last 6 months of the four-year registration period is a self-funded ‘writing-up’ period. The studentships will only fully fund applicants with relevant qualifications. There is no additional funding available to cover NHS Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) costs, visa costs, flights, etc.
If you wish to discuss this project further informally, please contact Dr Bryce Stewart .
How to Apply
To apply, please click the ‘Online application’ link above. Please include the following documents with your application:
  • CV / résumé
  • Personal Statement (outlining your academic interests, prior research experience and reasons for wishing to undertake the project).
  • Degree certificates and transcripts (please provide interim transcript if you are still studying). 
  • Contact information for two referees familiar with your academic work.
If relevant, proof of English Language Competency (Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language with an IELTS Academic of 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each component, or equivalent).
Please also see here for a list of supporting documents to upload with your application.
For more information on the admissions process generally, please visit our How to Apply for a Research Degree webpage or contact the Doctoral College. Applications will not be considered if information is missing.
The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Monday 2 February 2026.
Shortlisted candidates will be informed as soon as possible after the deadline, with interviews likely to take place in the second half of March. We regret that we may not be able to respond to all applications. Applicants who have not received a response within six weeks of the closing date should consider that their application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.