About the Project
Mangroves are marine vascular plants that are found in tropical and sub-tropical regions around the world. They are hotspots of ecosystem services including trapping carbon, providing nursery grounds to coastal fish, and acting as a buffer to storms and tsunamis. Mangroves are, however, under threat and are being lost at an alarming rate around the world to make way for aquaculture and for use in construction. Along the coastline of Ghana, a number of mangrove forests have been removed yet the impact of mangrove loss on the surrounding ecosystem has not been investigated.
This PhD project will focus on quantifying seafloor biodiversity, trophic ecology and ecosystem function in mangrove forests and deforested habitats along the coastline of Ghana. The student will gain knowledge on a variety of methodologies (e.g., stable isotopes to infer food web structure, isotope tracer experiments to document ecosystem function). The PhD student will be based in the Deep-Sea Ecology and Biogeochemistry research group at the Lyell Centre for Earth and Marine Science – a new pioneering global research centre set up between Heriot-Watt University and the British Geological Survey (BGS). The studentship will be a part of a major ocean research project called the One Ocean Hub funded through UKRI. The student will be required to attend research expeditions to Ghana to collect samples in coastal mangrove swamps, undertake periodic research visits to Ghana and southern England to work with partners at the University of Cape Coast in Ghana and at CEFAS, as well as attend national and international research conferences and project meetings.
To be eligible, applicants should have a first-class honours degree or a 2.1 honours degree plus Masters (or equivalent) in a relevant subject. Applicants must be highly motivated with a marine biology, ecology or biogeochemistry background. Applicants with an interest in advanced isotope geochemistry, and mathematical modelling are particularly encouraged to apply. Scholarships will be awarded by competitive merit, taking into account the academic ability of the applicant.
Funding Notes
This is a full scholarship, which will cover tuition fees and provide an annual stipend of £15,285 for the 36-month duration of the project. Full funding is available to UK, EU and international students. Applicants must be available to start the course of study in January 2021.
Application deadline: 5th November 2020
For more information and how to apply, click here.
