[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).] This 3.5-year PhD studentship at the University of Plymouth offers an exciting opportunity to advance our understanding of plankton biodiversity and ecosystem change using cutting-edge machine learning techniques. Hosted within Marine Research Plymouth—a collaboration between the University of Plymouth, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, and the Marine Biological Association—this project is at the forefront of global marine research, leveraging the UK's largest concentration of marine scientists. The project addresses a critical gap in marine biodiversity monitoring by applying advanced machine learning classifiers to plankton imaging data. Plankton are vital to marine food webs and global carbon cycles, serving as sensitive indicators of environmental change. However, current monitoring methods are insufficient for detecting biodiversity shifts and informing conservation policy. By integrating new imaging technologies and machine learning, the successful candidate will expand the use of biodiversity policy indicators, directly supporting the UK Marine Strategy and OSPAR frameworks. The student will collect plankton images using an innovative benchtop flow-through imaging sensor and integrate these with existing datasets. Fieldwork opportunities include sea-based research with Cefas and an international visit to the University of British Columbia for instrument testing. The project will apply novel machine learning image classifiers to identify plankton taxa and quantify ecological traits such as size and biovolume—traits often missing from traditional datasets but essential for robust biodiversity analyses and policy evaluation. The resulting data will be used to characterize spatio-temporal ecological changes in the Northeast Atlantic. Through this studentship, the candidate will develop expertise in machine learning, plankton taxonomy, ecological trait analysis, and biodiversity indicator development. They will also contribute to the UK and OSPAR Pelagic Habitats Expert Groups and benefit from professional development through the Plankton and Policy Research Unit and Marine Research Plymouth’s early career network. Eligibility: Applicants should hold a first or upper second class honours degree or a Masters in ecology, marine biology, data science, environmental sciences, or a related field. Interdisciplinary backgrounds and strong quantitative skills are particularly valued. 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. Application: The deadline for applications is 12 noon on 2 February 2026. For informal enquiries, contact Professor Abigail McQuatters-Gollop. Apply via the University of Plymouth’s online portal using the provided link.

This 3.5-year PhD studentship at the University of Plymouth offers a unique opportunity to advance our understanding of plankton biodiversity and ecosystem change by applying cutting-edge machine learning techniques. Hosted within the School of Biological and Marine Sciences, the project is eligible for either a SERVO or MRP studentship, each with distinct funding arrangements. The successful candidate will join a collaborative research environment involving the University of Plymouth, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, and the Marine Biological Association, with additional fieldwork opportunities at sea and an international visit to the University of British Columbia. Plankton are vital components of marine food webs and global carbon cycles, serving as sensitive indicators of environmental change and helping predict climate impacts on ocean biodiversity. Despite technological advances in plankton imaging, current monitoring remains insufficient for detecting biodiversity shifts and informing conservation policy. This project addresses these gaps by leveraging recent developments in plankton imaging data classifiers, enabling the application of biodiversity policy indicators to new image datasets and directly improving assessments under the UK Marine Strategy and OSPAR frameworks. The PhD candidate will collect plankton images using an innovative benchtop flow-through imaging sensor and integrate these with existing datasets. A novel machine learning image classifier will be used to identify plankton taxa and quantify key ecological traits such as size and biovolume, which are often missing from traditional datasets. The combined data will be used to characterize spatio-temporal ecological changes in the Northeast Atlantic, contributing to national and international marine biodiversity assessments. Training will be provided in machine learning, plankton taxonomy, ecological trait analysis, and biodiversity indicator development. The student will actively engage with the UK and OSPAR Pelagic Habitats Expert Groups, gaining valuable experience in both research and policy contexts. Fieldwork and international collaboration are integral parts of the project, offering a broad skillset and professional network. Applicants should hold a first or upper second class honours degree or a Masters in ecology, marine biology, data science, environmental sciences, or related fields. Interdisciplinary backgrounds and strong quantitative skills are highly encouraged. Non-native English speakers must demonstrate proficiency with an IELTS Academic score of 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each component) or equivalent. Funding is available for 3.5 years, covering tuition fees and a stipend at the relevant UKRI or URS rate, depending on the studentship scheme. International applicants must cover the difference between Home and International tuition fees. The final six months of the four-year registration period are self-funded for thesis writing. No additional funding is provided for NHS Immigration Health Surcharge, visa costs, or travel. To apply, candidates should submit an online application via the University of Plymouth Postgraduate research studentships webpage, including a CV, personal statement, degree certificates and transcripts, contact details for two referees, and proof of English language competency if required. The application deadline is 12 noon on Monday, 2nd February 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be notified after the deadline, with interviews expected in March. For further informal discussion, contact Professor Abigail McQuatters-Gollop.

[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) 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 3.5-year PhD studentship in Marine Sciences, focusing on understanding plankton biodiversity and ecosystem change through the application of machine learning. This CASE studentship (SERVO) is based at the Marine Institute, a leading center for marine research in the UK, and offers the opportunity to join a vibrant community of marine PhD students. Plankton are vital to marine food webs and global carbon cycles, serving as sensitive indicators of environmental change and enabling predictions of climate impacts on ocean biodiversity. Despite advances in imaging technologies, current plankton monitoring is insufficient for detecting biodiversity shifts and informing conservation policy. This project addresses this gap by leveraging recent advancements in plankton imaging data classifiers, applying existing biodiversity policy indicators to new image data, and expanding datasets to improve biodiversity assessments under the UK Marine Strategy and OSPAR frameworks. The successful candidate will collect plankton images using an innovative benchtop flow-through imaging sensor and integrate these with existing datasets. Fieldwork opportunities include collaboration with Cefas and a visit to the University of British Columbia for instrument field testing. A novel machine learning image classifier will be used to identify plankton taxa and quantify ecological traits such as size and biovolume, which are critical for biodiversity analyses and policy evaluation but often missing from traditional data. The combined data will be used to characterize spatio-temporal ecological change in the Northeast Atlantic. Through this studentship, you will develop skills in machine learning, plankton taxonomy, ecological trait analysis, and biodiversity indicator development, and contribute to the UK and OSPAR Pelagic Habitats Expert Groups. Professional development is supported by the Plankton and Policy Research Unit and Marine Research Plymouth’s early career network. Eligibility: Applicants should hold a first or upper second class honours degree or a Masters qualification in ecology, marine biology, data science, environmental sciences, or related fields. Interdisciplinary backgrounds and strong quantitative skills are particularly encouraged. The studentship covers full Home or International tuition fees and a stipend at the UKRI rate (£20,780 per annum for 2025/26; 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 by 12 noon on Monday, 2 February 2026. For further information and to apply, visit the University of Plymouth studentship webpage. Informal project discussions can be arranged with Professor Abigail McQuatters-Gollop.

[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).] This 3.5-year PhD studentship at the University of Plymouth, in partnership with Marine Research Plymouth, the Plymouth Marine Laboratory, and the Marine Biological Association, offers an exciting opportunity to advance our understanding of plankton biodiversity and ecosystem change using cutting-edge machine learning techniques. The project is designed to address critical gaps in current plankton monitoring by leveraging recent advancements in imaging technologies and machine learning classifiers, with the goal of improving biodiversity assessments and informing marine policy under the UK Marine Strategy and OSPAR frameworks. Plankton are vital to marine food webs and global carbon cycles, serving as sensitive indicators of environmental change. However, traditional monitoring methods are insufficient for detecting biodiversity shifts and modeling ocean responses to climate stressors. This studentship will apply existing biodiversity policy indicators to new, high-resolution plankton image data, significantly expanding available datasets and directly enhancing policy-relevant biodiversity assessments. The successful candidate will collect plankton images using an innovative benchtop flow-through imaging sensor and integrate these with existing datasets from established platforms. Fieldwork opportunities include collaboration with Cefas at sea and a visit to the University of British Columbia to field test the new instrument. A novel machine learning image classifier tool will be used to classify plankton taxa and quantify essential ecological traits such as size and biovolume—traits often missing from traditional datasets but critical for biodiversity analysis and policy evaluation. The combined data will be used to characterize spatio-temporal ecological changes in the Northeast Atlantic. Throughout the project, the student will develop expertise in machine learning, plankton taxonomy, ecological trait analysis, and biodiversity indicator development. They will also actively contribute to the UK and OSPAR Pelagic Habitats Expert Groups and benefit from professional development opportunities through the University of Plymouth’s Plankton and Policy Research Unit and the Marine Research Plymouth early career network. Eligibility: Applicants should hold a first or upper second class honours degree or a Masters qualification in ecology, marine biology, data science, environmental sciences, or related fields. Interdisciplinary backgrounds and strong quantitative skills are particularly encouraged. 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. Application Process: Applications must be submitted by 12 noon on Monday, 2nd February 2026. For further information and to apply, visit the University of Plymouth studentship webpage. Informal project discussions can be arranged with Professor Abigail McQuatters-Gollop.

[3.5 years of support including Home rate tuition fees plus a stipend of £19,215 per annum (2025-26 rate; 2026-27 rate to be confirmed).] This 3.5-year PhD studentship at the University of Plymouth offers an exciting opportunity to advance our understanding of plankton biodiversity and ecosystem change using cutting-edge machine learning techniques. Hosted within Marine Research Plymouth—a collaborative partnership with the Plymouth Marine Laboratory and the Marine Biological Association—the project is embedded in the UK's largest concentration of marine researchers, providing a vibrant and supportive research environment. The project addresses a critical gap in marine biodiversity monitoring by leveraging recent advances in plankton imaging and machine learning classifiers. Plankton are vital to marine food webs and global carbon cycles, serving as sensitive indicators of environmental change and climate impacts on ocean biodiversity. Despite technological improvements in plankton imaging, these rich datasets are underutilized in biodiversity assessments and policy frameworks. This studentship aims to apply existing biodiversity policy indicators to new plankton image data, expanding datasets and directly enhancing biodiversity assessments under the UK Marine Strategy and OSPAR frameworks. As a PhD student, you will collect plankton images using an innovative benchtop flow-through imaging sensor and integrate these with existing datasets from established platforms. You will have opportunities for field work at sea in collaboration with Cefas and to visit the University of British Columbia for instrument field testing. The project involves applying a novel machine learning image classifier to identify plankton taxa and quantify key ecological traits such as size and biovolume—traits often missing from traditional datasets but essential for robust biodiversity analyses and policy evaluation. The combined data will be used to characterize spatio-temporal ecological changes in the Northeast Atlantic. Throughout the studentship, you will develop expertise in machine learning, plankton taxonomy, ecological trait analysis, and biodiversity indicator development. You will actively contribute to the UK and OSPAR Pelagic Habitats Expert Groups and benefit from professional development opportunities through the Plankton and Policy Research Unit and Marine Research Plymouth’s early career network. Funding: The studentship is fully funded for 3.5 years, covering Home rate tuition fees and providing a stipend of £19,215 per annum (2025-26 rate; 2026-27 rate to be confirmed). Eligibility: Applicants should hold a first or upper second class honours degree or a Masters qualification in ecology, marine biology, data science, environmental sciences, or related fields. Interdisciplinary backgrounds and strong quantitative skills are highly valued. Application: The deadline for applications is 12 noon on Monday, 2nd February 2026. For informal enquiries, contact Professor Abigail McQuatters-Gollop. Apply via the University of Plymouth studentship webpage.

[Full Home or International tuition fees plus a stipend at the UKRI rate (£20,780 per annum for 2025/26; 2026/27 rate to be confirmed). Last 6 months of the four-year registration period is self-funded for writing-up.] The University of Plymouth invites applications for a 3.5-year PhD studentship in Marine Sciences, focusing on understanding plankton biodiversity and ecosystem change through the application of machine learning. Hosted by the Marine Institute, this CASE studentship (SERVO) offers the opportunity to join the UK's largest concentration of marine researchers and a vibrant community of PhD students. The project addresses critical gaps in plankton monitoring and biodiversity assessment by leveraging recent advances in imaging technologies and machine learning classifiers. Plankton are essential to marine food webs and global carbon cycles, serving as sensitive indicators of environmental change and climate impacts on ocean biodiversity. However, current monitoring methods are insufficient for detecting biodiversity shifts and informing conservation policies. This studentship will apply existing biodiversity policy indicators to new plankton image data, expanding datasets and improving assessments under the UK Marine Strategy and OSPAR frameworks. The candidate will collect plankton images using an innovative benchtop flow-through imaging sensor and integrate these with existing datasets. Field work opportunities include collaboration with Cefas and instrument testing at the University of British Columbia. A novel machine learning image classifier will be used to identify plankton taxa and quantify ecological traits such as size and biovolume, which are crucial for biodiversity analyses and policy evaluation but often missing from traditional data. The research will characterise spatio-temporal ecological changes in plankton communities in the Northeast Atlantic. The successful candidate will gain expertise in machine learning, plankton taxonomy, ecological trait analysis, and biodiversity indicator development, contributing to the UK and OSPAR Pelagic Habitats Expert Groups. Professional development is supported through the Plankton and Policy Research Unit and the Marine Research Plymouth early career network. Eligibility requires a first or upper second class honours degree or a Masters in ecology, marine biology, data science, environmental sciences, or related fields. Interdisciplinary candidates with strong quantitative skills are encouraged to apply. The studentship covers full Home or International tuition fees and a stipend at the UKRI rate (£20,780 per annum for 2025/26; 2026/27 rate to be confirmed). The final six months of the four-year registration period are self-funded for writing-up. The application deadline is 2 February 2026. For informal enquiries, contact Professor Abigail McQuatters-Gollop. Apply via the University of Plymouth studentships page.