SUPER DTP Phd Studentships (Ecological Dynamics of Freshwater and Marine Systems)

Studentships to support PhD candidates undertaking research on the ecological dynamics of freshwater and marine systems at universities in Scotland.

The Scottish Universities Partnership in Environmental Research (SUPER) Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) is a group of universities that collaborate to deliver world-leading research in natural environmental science.

The members of SUPER are also members of the Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland (MASTS), and have secured £5 million from the UK Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) to fund innovative research on a ‘Catchment to Coast’ theme to support the holistic study of the ecological dynamics of systems from headland rivers and catchments through lowland regions and riparian systems to transitional waters and shallow marine ecosystems.

The SUPER “Catchment to Coast” remit covers three main themes:

• Environmental dynamics: hydrology, sedimentology, coastal processes, erosion control, ecosystem engineering, river ecology and flood management
• Biodiversity and ecosystem function: ecosystem services, ecology and conservation
• Challenged ecosystems: climate, multiple stressors, resilience, resource management, societal well-being, legacy waste

The SUPER DTP administers a PhD Studentship to support PIs at universities in Scotland overseeing doctoral research projects within the SUPER remit, covering the terrestrial, freshwater and all marine habitats.

Applications are invited for the fourth call for PhD Studentships under the SUPER DTP.

The call is broad in scope and invites applications across the full SUPER remit. Proposed studies could include, but are not limited to: ecology; biodiversity; biological invasions; ecosystem change; environmental physics and chemistry; modelling; mechanistic studies; social and economic studies; and emerging issues.

Projects involving the following are particularly welcomed:

• Freshwater, terrestrial and truly-catchment wide projects
• Deep sea
• Inter- and transdisciplinary projects

SUPER also includes a number of non-HEI Associate Partners, including SEPA, IMAREST, Fisheries Innovation Scotland, NatureScot and Marine Science Scotland. The non-HEI partners may suggest outline project suggestions that they are interested in supporting.