Jeff Shima
Closing soon
2 weeks ago
PhD in How Artificial Light at Night Shapes Coastal Marine Ecosystems Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Environmental Science
Funding
The selected candidate must apply for a Victoria University of Wellington funded Doctoral Scholarship. The scholarship provides NZ$32,000 per year plus tuition fees for up to three years and is open to domestic and international applicants.
Deadline
Oct 1, 2026
Country
New Zealand
University
Victoria University of Wellington
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About this position
PhD opportunity at Victoria University of Wellington (Te Herenga Waka), New Zealand, in the School of Biological Sciences with Prof Jeff Shima.
The project asks how artificial light at night (ALAN) shapes coastal marine ecosystems. Research directions may include how different taxa respond to light wavelength, intensity, and depth; how artificial light changes predator-prey interactions; and how lighting design could reduce ecological side effects. The work is expected to combine fieldwork, laboratory experiments, and statistical modelling in R.
This is a PhD opening for a motivated candidate with a strong interest in marine biology, marine sciences, behavioural ecology, and coastal food webs. Essential requirements include SCUBA diving experience in temperate cold-water settings and a current scientific diving qualification. Strong quantitative skills, independent research experience, and good science communication are also valued.
Funding is via a Wellington Doctoral Scholarship application for the selected candidate. The scholarship currently provides NZ$32,000 per year plus tuition fees for up to three years and is open to domestic and international applicants. Applicants must meet the university’s PhD entry requirements and the scholarship is described as highly competitive.
Application deadline for materials to Prof. Shima: 1 October 2026. The selected candidate is then expected to submit the full scholarship application by 1 November 2026.
Funding details
The selected candidate must apply for a Victoria University of Wellington funded Doctoral Scholarship. The scholarship provides NZ$32,000 per year plus tuition fees for up to three years and is open to domestic and international applicants.
What's required
Applicants need a Masters or Honours degree with a GPA of 3.8 or better on a 4.0 scale to be eligible for the Wellington Doctoral Scholarship. Essential experience includes SCUBA diving in temperate cold-water settings and a current scientific diving qualification (e.g. SDNZ, AAUS Scientific Diver, AS/NZS 2299.2/ADAS, ESD, UK HSE Professional SCUBA, or equivalent). The ideal candidate will also have a strong background in marine or behavioural ecology, fieldwork experience, small boat handling as an advantage, good quantitative skills, evidence of independent research, excellent written and verbal science communication skills, and preferably one or more peer-reviewed articles.
How to apply
Email Prof. Jeff Shima directly with a cover letter, CV, academic transcripts, a writing sample, and the names and contact details of two academic referees. Use the subject line "PhD ALAN". The selected candidate must then submit a full Wellington Doctoral Scholarship application.
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