Artificial night light as a barrier to migration and movement of high value fish and fisheries
PhD Research
Applications are invited for a PhD studentship funded by KESS (Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarship) to work with Siân Griffiths and Steve Ormerod (Cardiff School of Biosciences) on the effect of artificial night light on the migration, movement and ecology of salmonid fish. The project will link animal behaviour feeding ecology and population dynamics to investigate the likely benefits of managing monochromatic and broad-spectrum street lighting to reduce adverse impacts on aquatic ecosystems. Using a combination of field and laboratory experiments, the response of salmonids and their invertebrate prey will be investigated.
This project is jointly supported by Ecoexplore (www.eco-explore.co.uk) and Dr Bill Riley (CEFAS) and will involve work placements and supervisory support from these partners. The studentship will support travel to these partners.
This project is due to start in October 2011.
Funding:
Full UK/EU fees and a stipend starting at £13,688 for 2010/11. Candidates must meet the following criteria;
1. Have a home or work address in a Convergence area of Wales(CAW)* at the time of their application to the University;
2. Have the right to take up paid work in the Convergence area of Wales* on completion of the scholarship;
3. Be classified by the University as ‘home’ or ‘EU’ according to the University’s guidelines.
*The Convergence area of Wales covers West Wales and the Valleys made up of 15 local authorities: Isle of Anglesey, Gwynedd, Conwy, Denbighshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Bridgend, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil, Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen.
KESS award holders are also required to participate in other skills training undertaken as part of the KESS project relating to attainment of a KESS Postgraduate Skills Award. This will include a 3-day GRAD-School and other needs-based training courses.
Candidates should satisfy Cardiff University's admissions criteria (as outlined in the Code of Practice for Research Degrees) - applicants for research PhDs are normally expected to have one or both of the following:
• a first degree, normally with class 2:1 or equivalent in a relevant subject;
• a relevant Master's qualification or equivalent.
Informal enquiries about the project : Dr Siân Griffiths (GriffithsSW@Cardiff.ac.uk).
Applicants for KESS funding should hold an offer of PhD place at Cardiff University.
Applications for PhD study at Cardiff can be made online at:
http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/regis/general/applyonline/biosipgr.html
Further details on KESS and application forms for KESS funding can be found at:
http://www.cf.ac.uk/racdv/expertise/kess/vacancies.html