PhD in Marine Megafauna Connectivity Using Acoustic Telemetry in the Southwest Indian Ocean CNRS in France

PhD opportunity in marine megafauna connectivity using acoustic telemetry in the Southwest Indian Ocean, based in Sète, France at CNRS / MARBEC and co-supervised with Rhodes University in South Africa.

The project focuses on movement ecology, marine conservation, and transboundary management of highly mobile species such as sharks, trevallies, wahoo, and marine turtles. It will use acoustic telemetry and existing movement datasets to quantify connectivity across Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), model future species distributions under climate and fishing scenarios, and upscale analyses to regional sites including Comoros and Europa.

The candidate will work within the MARBEC research lab and in close collaboration with the PEPR BRIDGES project, with access to technical platforms and a research network specializing in tropical marine megafauna, acoustic telemetry, and spatial biostatistics. The role includes participation in field missions in South Africa and Mozambique, plus a mission at Rhodes University.

Funding: 36-month doctoral contract with a gross monthly salary of €2300, 44 days annual leave, remote work compensation, and transport support.

Deadline: 2026-05-05 23:59.

This is a strong fit for candidates interested in marine biology, environmental science, statistics, conservation planning, and spatial analysis in a high-impact biodiversity hotspot.