Publisher
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University of Plymouth

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PhD Studentship: Developing and Applying Camera Monitoring Tools for Inshore Fish Assemblages University of Plymouth in United Kingdom

Degree Level

PhD

Field of study

Computer Science

Funding

Available

Deadline

Oct 29, 2026

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Country

United Kingdom

University

University of Plymouth

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Keywords

Computer Science
Environmental Science
Biology
Artificial Intelligence
Computer Vision
Marine Biology
Earth Science
Surveillance
Coastal Ecology
Marine Protected Areas

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About this position

[Four-year studentship with full Home tuition fees plus a stipend of £19,830 per annum at the 2026/27 rate. Home-fee eligible applicants only are fully funded; international-fee applicants must cover the difference, and no additional funding is available for IHS, visa, or travel costs.]

PhD Studentship at the University of Plymouth in developing and applying camera monitoring tools for inshore fish assemblages.

This four-year project focuses on underwater camera systems for understanding habitat use by inshore fish assemblages and improving future marine monitoring. The work is situated around selected habitat mosaics within the National Marine Park and protected areas in Plymouth Sound, building on the FinVision project and the University of Plymouth’s marine conservation research strengths.

The PhD will combine field ecology and technology development. The student will deploy a network of video cameras to investigate fine-scale patterns of habitat use over extended periods and to examine how environmental drivers shape juvenile fish habitat preferences. A key part of the project is developing automated AI-based video processing workflows, addressing a major bottleneck in scaling up camera-based monitoring.

This is a collaborative project between the University of Plymouth and Natural England, with strong relevance to policy and management practice in marine conservation, habitat restoration, and sustainable fishing. The student will gain interdisciplinary training in coastal fish sampling, scientific diving, digital technologies, and computer vision.

The opportunity is especially suitable for candidates interested in fisheries, conservation ecology, novel monitoring technology, and AI-driven approaches. Eligible Home-fee students receive full Home tuition fees and a stipend of £19,830 per annum at the 2026/27 rate. International-fee applicants may need to pay the fee difference, and no extra support is available for visa, IHS, or travel costs.

Applicants should hold a first or upper second class honours degree in an appropriate subject, or a relevant Masters degree. If English is not your first language, IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component, or equivalent, is required.

The closing date is 29 October 2026. The project is due to start on 1 January 2027, and shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in the week commencing 9 November 2026.

Funding details

Available

What's required

Applicants should have a first or upper second class honours degree in an appropriate subject, or a relevant Masters qualification. Non-native English speakers must meet the minimum English requirement for the programme: IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with no less than 5.5 in each component, or equivalent. The studentship is only fully funded for applicants eligible for Home fees with relevant qualifications; those normally required to pay international fees must cover the difference.

How to apply

Apply via the Apply button on the University of Plymouth webpage. If you want to discuss the project informally, contact Ben Ciotti by email. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview in the week commencing 9 November 2026.

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