Fully Funded PhD in Passive Acoustic Monitoring for Coral Reef Policy and Resilience University of Exeter in United Kingdom

Fully funded PhD opportunity at the University of Exeter on passive acoustic monitoring, ecoacoustics, and coral reef resilience. The project is titled Passive acoustic monitoring to inform evidence-based policy for coral reefs and is linked to collaboration with the Australian Institute of Marine Science and policy/management stakeholders.

The successful PhD researcher will work with Dr Sophie Nedelec and collaborators to refine and test novel ecoacoustic predictors using new and existing datasets, then apply them at regional scale along the Great Barrier Reef. The project combines marine ecology, environmental monitoring, policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, and interdisciplinary research.

Research themes and keywords: coral reefs, passive acoustic monitoring, ecoacoustics, reef resilience, marine conservation, environmental policy, quantitative analysis, fieldwork, R/MATLAB/Python, and Indigenous Standpoint Theory.

Eligibility highlights: applicants should have, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate science or technology field. Strong quantitative analysis skills are essential. Desirable experience includes snorkelling/free diving, communication and engagement skills, and programming/data analysis experience. Non-native English speakers must meet the university’s English language requirements.

Funding: UK tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £22,350 per year. International tuition fee students are unlikely to be eligible because of funder budget restrictions, although there may be support options for eligible First Nations students from Australia.

Deadline: 6 July 2026. Interviews are expected in the week commencing 13 July 2026.

How to apply: submit the application through the university portal, upload a CV, cover letter, transcripts, two references, and English language evidence if needed. Quote reference 5889.