GW4+ DOCTORAL LANDSCAPE TRAINING PARTNERSHIP (DLTP): Sea sparkle: identifying and predicting bioluminescent blooms Cardiff University in United Kingdom

Noctiluca scintillans (“sea sparkle”) is a bioluminescent dinoflagellate, found in UK coastal waters. It is associated with harmful red tides, which threaten local ecosystems and fisheries through eutrophication. Coastal bioluminescence has attracted growing attention from the public. In 2018 a public-initiated Facebook group (>50K members) was established to share and record sightings. This pool of knowledge has the potential to increase our understanding of how costal marine ecosystems in Wales are likely to change in response to global warming.

This project aims to study, model and predict the occurrence of N. scintillans blooms in Wales. Our pilot data show that bloom sightings strongly correlate with meteorological parameters and satellite imagery. The studentship will validate these findings through:

1. Culturing and sequencing N. scintillans isolates for physiological and genetic characterisation

2. Investigating the contribution of both meteorological and seawater parameters on bloom occurrence

3. Validating of use of the NEODAAS satellite service for N. scintillans tracking

4. Refining our modelling approach to more accurately predict N. scintillans blooms

The main project output is the development of an app for more efficient data capture from the citizen science approach and work towards an automated prediction service for alerts on HABs.

Lead Supervisor: Catrin Williams, Cardiff University, School of Biosciences

Co-Supervisor: Sarah Perkins, Cardiff University, School of Biosciences

Co-Supervisor: Oktay Karakus, Cardiff University, School of Computer Sciences and Informatics

Co-Supervisor: Peter Miller, Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML)

Useful recruitment links:

For information relating to the research project please contact the lead Supervisor via: [email protected]

Please ensure that at the time of making the application, you upload the 'GW4 + DLTP Personal Statement' in place of the Cardiff University Personal Statement/cover letter. Please email [email protected] prior to starting your online application for a copy of the statement which you would then complete and upload. Also, at the point of making an application please complete the 'DLTP PhD applicants questionnaire' at the following link https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/nercdtp/dltp-phd-applicants-questionnaire-2024-25

Applications can be made using the following link: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research/programmes/programme/biosciences-phd-mphil-md Use the black boxes on the right hand side and select 'Doctor of Philosophy', 'Full-Time' and the start date of '01/10/2025'. If you have studied with us before, or made a previous application, please use the same login details and application number.

Please ensure that you type in the project title , the lead supervisor and the source of funding as GW4+ Doctoral Landscape Training Partnerships (DLTP).

The application deadline is Monday 13 January 2025 at 2359 GMT.