Victoria University of Wellington
1 month ago
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PhD in the Ecology of the Temperate Rariphotic Zone in New Zealand Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Computer Science
Funding
Competition-funded PhD project; the selected candidate must apply for a Victoria University of Wellington funded doctoral scholarship. The scholarship is described as highly competitive; no stipend amount is stated.
Country
New Zealand
University
Victoria University of Wellington
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About this position
PhD opportunity in marine ecology at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. This project, supervised by Prof. James Bell in the School of Biological Sciences, investigates the temperate rariphotic zone (about 130–300 m depth) around New Zealand. The work focuses on the biodiversity, community structure, environmental drivers, and ecosystem functioning of these little-studied deep-reef habitats.
The project will use high-definition remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to survey rariphotic reefs across multiple regions and environmental gradients. Students will analyse high-resolution imagery and video to quantify species composition, benthic cover, habitat complexity, and fish assemblages, with particular attention to glass sponges. Additional methods may include photogrammetry for 3D habitat reconstruction, machine learning for automated image annotation, and possibly eDNA for biodiversity assessment.
Research themes include marine biodiversity, benthic ecology, vulnerable marine ecosystems, reef connectivity, and conservation-relevant baseline assessment for marine spatial planning and climate change adaptation. The project is especially relevant to students interested in marine biology, ecology, quantitative image analysis, and emerging AI-enabled ecological monitoring.
Funding: This is a competition-funded PhD project. The selected candidate must apply for a Victoria University of Wellington funded doctoral scholarship; the scholarship is highly competitive and no stipend amount is given in the post.
Eligibility: Applicants must meet PhD entry requirements at Victoria University of Wellington. The post states a minimum requirement of a Masters or honours degree with a GPA of 3.8 or better. Strong written and verbal science communication skills are expected, and having one or more peer-reviewed publications is considered advantageous.
How to apply: Email Prof. James Bell directly with a cover letter, CV, academic transcripts, a writing sample, and the names of two academic referees (including a thesis supervisor). The preferred start date is 1 March 2027, with some flexibility.
Funding details
Competition-funded PhD project; the selected candidate must apply for a Victoria University of Wellington funded doctoral scholarship. The scholarship is described as highly competitive; no stipend amount is stated.
What's required
Applicants must meet the entry requirements for PhD study at Victoria University of Wellington. A minimum requirement is a Masters or honours degree with a GPA of 3.8 or better. Ideal candidates will also have one or more peer-reviewed articles. Excellent written and verbal science communication skills are required.
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