Investigating the impacts of environmentally relevant environmental stressor combinations on freshwater snails inhabiting mini-wetlands

This project is part of the NERC-funded Centre for Doctoral Training, ECOWILD. For more details, and for a full list of projects offered under this programme, please visit: https://ecowild.site.hw.ac.uk/

Freshwater systems are amongst the most threatened on Earth and are predicted to lose 80 % of their biodiversity as a result of multiple stressors by 2050. Mini-wetlands – including ponds, pools, wet woodland, marsh – are amongst the most highly threatened globally. These important and unique ecosystems support exceptionally high biodiversity; however, 30-50 % of wetland biota are estimated to be threatened. They are one of the most important habitats for freshwater molluscs which are experiencing severe declines on a global scale due to anthropogenic activity. The supervisory team comprise expertise across multiple stressor science, ecotoxicology, analytics and water policy.

The student will develop skills in the development of theoretical approaches to predict the impacts of multi-stressors in this exciting project. This scientific topic is extremely important for protecting biodiversity and is a dynamic and rapidly advancing area of study. In addition, the student will gain skills in experimental design for setting up multiple stressor exposures, and husbandry for freshwater organisms/laboratory exposures. There will also be opportunities to be involved with analytical approaches for identification of pollutants and to carry out fieldwork. In addition to the exciting research culture at Heriot-Watt University – where they will primarily be based – the student will have access to the outstanding facilities and training opportunities offered by UKCEH.

 

Supervision: 

Primary supervisor Dr Frances Orton - HWU

Second supervisor Dr Clay Magill - HWU

Stakeholder supervisor Dr Steve Morris - DEFRA

Co-supervisor Dr Claus Svendsen - UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology

 

Eligibility:

This project is open to all students, whether home, EU or overseas.

The successful candidate will have at least an upper second-class (2:1) undergraduate honours degree in the relevant subject area and ideally a Masters Degree. We may also consider candidates who can demonstrate appropriate alternative learning such as experience gained in the workplace or professional qualifications.

We recognise that not every talented researcher will have had the same opportunities to advance their careers. We therefore will account for any particular circumstances that applicants disclose (e.g. parental leave, caring duties, part-time jobs to support studies, disabilities etc.) to ensure an inclusive and fair recruitment process.

 

Funding:

This is a full scholarship which will cover tuition fees for Home students and provide an annual stipend in line with UKRI recommended levels (£19,237 in 2024-25) for the 44 months duration of the project.
Due to CDT funding rules and Institutional policies, there is a cap on the number of scholarships that can be awarded to international students. Once this limit has been reached, ECOWILD CDT scholarship will only be awarded to students who are eligible for Home fee status.

 

How to apply: 

You must apply via the ECOWILD website: https://ecowild.site.hw.ac.uk/how-to-apply/

We will be holding ‘meet the supervisor’ events on March 25th, 26th and 27th (online) – if you can’t make these but are interested in this project, please contact the lead supervisor directly (see below for details).

Links to the scheduled ‘meet the supervisor’ events, as well as the full list of projects advertised under this CDT, can be found here: https://ecowild.site.hw.ac.uk/phd-training/

 

Enquiries:

Project specific enquiries: f.orton@hw.ac.uk

General enquiries: ecowild@hw.ac.uk

 

Timeline:

The closing date for applications is 29th April and applicants must be available to start in October 2024. We expect interviews to take place beginning June 2024.