Tania Mendo

This fully-funded PhD opportunity at the University of St Andrews, in partnership with the University of Stirling, focuses on the contributions of small-scale fisheries to nutrition and food security under changing climate conditions, particularly in northern Peru. The project investigates how El Niño events impact fish availability, nutrition, and health among desert and coastal communities, with a special emphasis on vulnerable groups such as pregnant and lactating women and children. The research aims to develop a framework to quantify the nutritional significance of locally caught fish species, integrate national survey data, and model future scenarios based on climate change predictions. The student will conduct literature reviews, field surveys, interviews, and advanced data analysis, supported by a multidisciplinary supervisory team from the Sustainable Futures Group and Environmental Change Research Group at St Andrews, and the School of Biological and Environmental Sciences at Stirling. Training in research skills, data analysis, and professional development is provided, along with opportunities to present at conferences. Applicants should have a strong academic background in relevant fields and an interest in fisheries, nutrition, and climate change. The studentship covers tuition and living expenses, with additional support for research and training. The application deadline is December 8, 2025. Interested candidates should apply via the IAPETUS DTP website and may contact Dr Tania Mendo for informal enquiries.