Fully Funded PhD in Marine Science: Marine Connectivity, Climate Change Resilience, and Conservation Biology Institut de Recherche pour le Développement in France

This fully funded 3-year PhD opportunity in Marine Science focuses on marine connectivity within networks of marine protected areas (MPAs) as a key factor for climate change resilience in East African marine ecosystems. The project is supported by the IRD ARTS bursary and the MESCAL project, with a total budget of approximately €1 million, ensuring comprehensive funding including stipend, health insurance, annual flights, and research/travel costs.

The research will address larval dispersal modeling, global change, conservation biology, genetic diversity, and fish physiology, with a focus on key species such as Blacktail (Diplodus capensis) and Dory snapper (Lutjanus fulviflamma). The PhD will be jointly hosted by KMFRI (Kenya) and MARBEC (France), with regular fieldwork and travel across East Africa, including Tanzania, Mozambique, and South Africa.

Supervision will be provided by David M. Kaplan and Christophe Lett (IRD, France), and Gladys Okemwa (KMFRI, Kenya), along with the MESCAL team. The position is especially suitable for candidates from Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, and South Africa, and aims to build capacity for climate-resilient MPAs and the protection of East African fisheries and coastal communities.

Applicants should have a strong background in marine science, biology, environmental science, or related fields. Application materials include a motivation letter, detailed CV, 2–4 references, and recent grades/rankings. The deadline for applications is March 10, 2026, and the position starts in September 2026. For more information, contact [email protected].