An opportunity is available for a fulltime PhD student to study Flow and temperature controls on fish community structure and dynamics in UK rivers at The University of Hull, under the supervision of Prof. Ian Cowx (Hull International Fisheries Institute) and Prof. Mike Acreman Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Wallingford
Scope: It is widely recognised that all elements of the flow regime – magnitude, timing, frequency and duration – including floods and low flows, are important in some way for maintaining a healthy river ecosystem. In addition, flow can impact the ecosystem in many ways including dilution, depth, velocity, temperature, food availability and parasite infection. These characteristics are known to impact invertebrate and fisheries communities in many ways, but the precise mechanisms remain vague, largely because of limitations in long-term datasets and lack of collaboration between institutions that hold such data. This project will seek to establish how various characteristics of the flow and temperature regimes regulate ecosystem functions relevant to fish population and community structures in different UK river types and to define thresholds of hydrological change that trigger alterations to key functions. It will make use of extensive data sets held by the collaborating institutions to model the physicochemical drivers of fish community dynamics to support definition of environmental flows in UK rivers for water resource management purposes.
Location: The studentship will be registered at the University of Hull but the period of research will be split between The University of Hull and CEH Wallingford.
Qualifications: The candidate must have a minimum of an Upper Second Class BSc from a UK University or equivalent in Fisheries, Environmental Sciences, Hydrology or Biometrics/ Biomathematics. A good knowledge of modelling and statistics is necessary to undertake the proposed research, and candidates should identify in their application how they meet this requirement. The position requires a good level of English, both written and spoken.
The studentship will pay a non-taxed stipend (£12 940 in 2008/09) and fees at EU student level for registration at the University of Hull.
Further information can be obtained from Prof Ian Cowx (i.g.cowx@hull.ac.uk) and Prof Mike Acreman (man@ceh.ac.uk)
Closing date: 16 May 2008
Contact: Apply sending hardcopy or electronic copy of the following documents:
1) University Postgraduate Application Form (download from http://www.hull.ac.uk/biosci/downloads/postgrad_application_form.pdf)
2) Curriculum vitae
3) Copies of degree certificates
4) Statement of research interests together with a letter explaining why you are interested in the opportunity and what you can bring to the PhD.
Four hardcopies and one electronic copy of all documents must be sent to:
Prof Ian Cowx, University of Hull International Fisheries Institute, Hull HU6 7RX, UK.
Electronic documents must be sent to: i.g.cowx@hull.ac.uk and copied to man@ceh.ac.uk. Please identify your application with the following reference number: (ref. fishflow).