[The studentship is supported for 3.5 years and includes Home rate tuition fees plus a stipend of £19,215 per annum (2025-26 rate; 2026-27 rate to be confirmed). The last 6 months of the four-year registration period is a self-funded ‘writing-up’ period.]

The University of Plymouth invites applications for a 3.5-year PhD studentship in Marine Sciences, focusing on the ecology, function, and management of deep-sea Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs). This project is part of Marine Research Plymouth, a collaborative partnership with the Plymouth Marine Laboratory and the Marine Biological Association, and will commence on 1st October 2026. Plymouth is renowned for its vibrant marine research community and offers an excellent environment for doctoral training.

VMEs, such as deep-sea coral gardens and sponge fields, are critical biodiversity hotspots that provide essential ecosystem services. The project aims to advance scientific understanding of VME ecology and function, and to develop evidence-based advice for fisheries management to prevent significant adverse impacts, particularly from bottom fishing activities. Central to the research is the concept of functional diversity—the range of ecological roles species play within a community—which is key to ecosystem resilience but remains poorly understood in VMEs.

The successful candidate will employ a combination of seafloor visual surveys, targeted sampling, and AI-assisted image analyses to build predictive spatial models for VME distribution and resilience under current and future climate scenarios. The research will involve defining and quantifying functional traits of VME taxa, identifying key functional groups, mapping functional diversity, and relating these to ecosystem service delivery. The project will also assess the potential for significant adverse impacts from current fishing activities and provide recommendations for climate-smart management measures.

Training will include deep-sea survey techniques using remotely operated and autonomous underwater vehicles, image annotation (including AI-based approaches), functional trait analysis, taxonomic identification of deep-sea benthos, biodiversity metrics, and spatial predictive modelling. The studentship offers opportunities for professional development through research cruises, collaboration with international scientific organisations, and co-authorship of additional publications. Graduates will be well-prepared for careers in academia, environmental consultancy, conservation, or resource management.

Eligibility: Applicants should hold a first or upper second class honours degree in a relevant subject or a Masters qualification. Strong analytical skills and an interest in biodiversity, functional ecology, image/video analysis, and conservation are essential. Experience with programming, statistical analysis, or spatial modelling is desirable but not required, as full training will be provided. Willingness to participate in multi-week ship-based fieldwork is welcomed but not mandatory.

Funding: The studentship covers Home rate tuition fees and provides a stipend of £19,215 per annum (2025-26 rate; 2026-27 rate to be confirmed) for 3.5 years. The final 6 months of the four-year registration period is a self-funded writing-up period.

Application Process: Applications must be submitted via the University of Plymouth website by 12 noon on Monday 2nd February 2026. For informal enquiries, contact Professor Kerry Howell.