[Full Home rate tuition fees plus a stipend of £19,215 per annum (2025-26 rate; 2026-27 rate TBC) for 3.5 years. 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 fully funded 3.5-year PhD studentship in Marine Sciences, focusing on Deep-Sea Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) and their ecology, function, and management. This opportunity is part of Marine Research Plymouth, a collaborative partnership with the Plymouth Marine Laboratory and the Marine Biological Association, offering access to the UK's largest concentration of marine researchers and a vibrant community of PhD students.

The project centers on VMEs such as deep-sea coral gardens and sponge fields, which are biodiversity hotspots providing essential ecosystem services. The research aims to advance understanding of VME ecology and functional diversity, which is crucial for ecosystem resilience and effective conservation. The project will develop science-based advice for fisheries management to prevent significant adverse impacts, in line with UN requirements for protecting VMEs from bottom fishing activities.

Research activities will include seafloor visual surveys, targeted sampling, and AI-assisted image analyses. The student will build predictive spatial models for VME distribution and resilience under current and future climate scenarios, define and quantify functional traits of VME taxa, identify key functional groups, map functional diversity, and relate findings to ecosystem service delivery. The project will also assess the potential for significant adverse impacts from fishing and advise on climate-smart management measures.

Training will cover 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. Professional development includes participation in research cruises, collaboration with international scientific organisations, and co-authorship of additional publications, preparing the candidate for careers in academia, environmental consultancy, conservation, or resource management.

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

The studentship covers full Home tuition fees and 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. The position is due to start on 1st October 2026. For informal discussions, applicants may contact Professor Kerry Howell. Applications must be submitted by 12 noon on Monday, 2nd February 2026 via the University of Plymouth website.