PhD Postgraduate Research Opportunity - Improving fishing survey indices though the use of spatiotemporal modelsVacancy Area:
Stagiares / Scholarships PhD Postgraduate Research Opportunity Ref: P885 Project Title: Improving fishing survey indices though the use of spatiotemporal models Funding: This Cullen Scholarship (Grant-Aid Agreement No. CS/20/007) is carried out with the support of the Marine Institute and funded under the Marine Research Programme 2014-2020 by the Irish Government. Description: The Marine Institute Ireland conduct many scientific trawl and acoustic surveys. Indices of abundance derived from these surveys form key components of stock assessments used to provide sustainable management advice. The importance of detailed spatial considerations in index estimation has arisen relatively recently; by accounting for spatial variation in abundance, the residual variability in spatial models is reduced and index precision enhanced. Moreover, spatial modelling of survey indices enhances understanding of the distributional dynamics of species. Spatial and spatiotemporal models also allow for integration of multiple surveys and may also be less susceptible to gaps in survey coverage. Such possibilities could prove very useful where unavoidable gaps in survey coverage occur (e.g., due to weather, technical difficulties or Covid-19). Broadly, understanding how to appropriately apply spatiotemporal models to improve indices is a key scientific question to be addressed in this Cullen PhD Scholarship. State-of-the-art in spatiotemporal modelling of species distributions has taken a leap forward in the last five years with the development of models like VAST (Vector Autoregressive SpatioTemporal) model, which is an advanced framework for investigating how species and community distributions change in space and time. Spatial distributions of species density can evolve over time in a fully spatiotemporal framework. Such flexibility can be an improvement on static spatial distributions. Spatial and spatiotemporal methods require more extensive investigation to understand their performance from a suite of theoretical and applied perspectives. Testing must include appraisals of how accuracy and precision of estimated indices change under varying levels of model complexity from simple non-spatial models to multivariate spatiotemporal models incorporating covariates and multiple species. This scholarship will advance our understanding of spatiotemporal modelling of fisheries survey data via addressing: • Influence of gaps in survey coverage. • Influence of environmental covariates on univariate (single species) spatiotemporal models and derived indices. • Multivariate spatiotemporal modelling for survey index standardisation (modelling multiple ages or the community assemblage). • Spatiotemporal modelling and survey design. Thesis chapters will be designed around these themes. Benefits to the student • Collaboration with a dynamic group of experts in fisheries at the MI, GMIT and networks nationally and internationally (e.g., ICES). These will ensure that the knowledge and skills acquired are highly relevant to current and future needs in advice for fisheries management. • In-depth training in statistical modelling and inference with application to index estimation and stock assessment, which are increasingly sought-after skillsets. • Training in high-level programming (C++, R) • Experience of the integral connections between stakeholders, science and advice. Requirements/Qualifications: An Honours Degree (minimum 2.2, but 2.1 or higher is desirable) in the fields of ecology or fisheries science (with demonstrated significant statistical component), statistics, mathematics or computing (with demonstrated significant ecological component) at the commencement date of the project. A Master's degree in a relevant area will be an advantage, particularly spatial modelling, survey design, population dynamics or stock assessment. Demonstrated experience in scientific programming (R, C++, other) will be an advantage as well as evidence of contributions to scientific publications. Project Duration: 48 months Conditions: • €16,000 Stipend per annum. • Postgraduate fees for EU students will be covered by the project. • In addition, any necessary travel and material costs incurred during the project will be covered. • The student will be based at GMIT and will also have access to facilities at GMIT and the Marine Institute headquarters in Galway. Please Note: Candidates from outside the EU are eligible to apply but may be expected to provide evidence of sources of additional funds to cover excesses associated with Non-EU fees. If either English or Irish is not the applicant's first language, a certificate of language ability in either language is required. IELTS level 6.0 or equivalent is mandatory for those presenting with English as a foreign language. Project Start Date: April 2021 Application Closing Date: 12 noon, Thursday 28th January 2021 Applicants should submit their: - Curriculum Vitae (to include 2 referees) - a copy of transcript of results and - a one-page Personal Statement to: ResearchOffice [at] gmit [dot] ie Applications must be submitted to the Research Office e-mail address only. Please ensure all documents are emailed as a single Word or PDF file. The Personal Statement should not exceed 1 page and should explain: • How you meet the requirements of the position • Why you would like to pursue this PhD research programme For further information on the project please contact: Dr Cóilín Minto (coilin [dot] minto [at] gmit [dot] ie), Dr Hans Gerritsen (hans [dot] gerritsen [at] marine [dot] ie) Data Protection Statement GMIT takes very seriously its legal obligations as set out in the General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679 (GDPR) and the Irish Data Protection Act 2018 to safeguard and protect your personal information in our possession. The personal information which you disclose to us in this form will only be used to assess your suitability; administer and register you for this scholarship. We will not keep your personal information for any longer than is necessary for those stated purposes. For more details, please refer to GMIT's Student Privacy Statement: http://www.gmit.ie/general/student-privacystatement Closing Date: Thursday, 28 January, 2021
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Durham Geography is a world leading centre for research in Catchments and Rivers, Hazards and Surface Change and Sea Level, Ice and Climate. The department is part of the NERC funded IAPETUS2 partnership and we are currently advertising 15 PhD projects to start in October 2021. If you are interested in doing a PhD and want to work in a vibrant, supportive, centre of excellence why not come and join us? The deadline for 2021 applications is Friday 8th January 2021 at 5:00pm (GMT), but we would encourage you to contact the supervisors of projects you are interested in as soon as possible. For general enquires please contact Kathy Wood ([email protected]). Projects are fully funded, and both UK and international students can apply through the NERC Iapetus2 Doctoral Training Partnership. Below are the IAPETUS2 PhDs offered by staff in Durham Geography, which may obtain IAPETUS2 funding. For the full list of IAPETUS2 projects, please visit the IAPETUS2 website
Durham Geography IAPETUS 2 PhD Studentships 2021or 2021 / 2022 Cohort
Dear All,
The London NERC Doctoral Training Partnership now invites applications for our PhD programme, to start in September 2021 The London NERC Doctoral Training Partnership brings together eight of the world’s leading research centres in environmental science. Our partnership provides innovative doctoral training in a multidisciplinary research environment, spanning NERC’s science remit. 24 PhD studentship places are available. Applications are to the programme and research theme not to specific projects. The suite of research themes are:
For a description of each theme and a regularly updated list of potential PhD projects, visit: www.london-nerc-dtp.org To view our online application form and for further information about eligibility, please see: http://london-nerc-dtp.org/apply-to-the-london-nerc-dtp/ The deadline for applications is 4.00pm on Friday 8th January 2021 If you have any queries please contact the DTP office. Best Wishes, Kate Moore NERC Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) Co-ordinator The London NERC DTP UCL, North-West Wing, Room G20 Gower Street London, WC1E 6BT Developing Seabed Scour Assessment and Prediction Tools using Computational Fluid Dynamics Modelling25/11/2020 Research Masters (MEngSc) in Civil / Geotechnical Engineering at UCD
Project title: Developing Seabed Scour Assessment and Prediction Tools using Computational Fluid Dynamics Modelling (DeMo) Supervision team: Jennifer Keenahan (UCD) and Mark Coughlan (UCD) Project description: This project will use Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling, validated by traditional seabed mapping results, to help better understand seabed hydrodynamics and scour development in the Irish Sea. The outputs from this project will be used to better assess and predict scour at offshore infrastructure. This will be an invaluable product in the de-risking of future offshore renewable energy development. The project will be in collaboration with iCRAG (Irish Centre for Research in Applied Geosciences), Arup and GDG (Gavin & Doherty Geosolutions). Position Description: This 12 Month full-time Master’s by research (MEngSc) position is fully funded through the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI). The successful candidate will be registered at University College Dublin, starting as soon as possible in January 2021. The Master’s stipend is €18,500, with a contribution to EU fees of €5,500 per annum. Candidate Experience: The candidate should have a minimum 2.1 in an honours Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (or a closely related discipline), or an equivalent standard from an overseas university. Some experience in computational modelling would be an advantage. Application: Please e-mail a CV (max. 2 pages) and a cover letter outlining your experience and motivation to Dr Jennifer Keenahan ([email protected]). Intended start date is Jan 2021. Conservation Officer (Lough Erne)RSPB Northern Ireland
Save Conservation Officer (Lough Erne) Reference number: A1301120 Location: Flexible – Northern Ireland Salary: Starting at £26,212 to £29,320 per annum Hours: Full time Contract: 12 Month Maternity Cover We are looking for a candidate who is self-motivated and prides themselves on delivering high standards. You will have excellent ecological skills and knowledge, particularly of wet grassland habitats and their conservation. A background in landscape scale conservation, farm advisory and nature conservation delivery mechanisms is desirable, as is an in-depth knowledge of breeding waders (curlews, redshanks, lapwings and snipe), their habitat requirements and relevant survey techniques. As part of the Northern Ireland Operations Team, you will deliver a range of work for priority species and habitats across the Lough Erne landscape. In this varied role, you will provide advice directly to farmers and land managers, coordinate and undertake surveys, and help deliver conservation projects to help nature thrive across this priority landscape. This role will sit within the West NI Area Team and reports to the Senior Conservation Officer. You will have an important external role, building positive relationships with key partners and stakeholders so that RSPBs policies and messages are understood and furthered within relevant partnerships. This is a fantastic opportunity to play your part in delivering RSPB's conservation work within an area rich in wildlife and important for people. If this sounds like the job for you, we would love to hear from you. If you are interested in applying for this role, please click the ‘Apply Now’ button to be taken to our website where you will find all details about this role and how to apply. Closing date: 7 December 2020 Interview date: 17 December 2020 No agencies please. Skills: agriculture, conservation, Communication Ref: A1301120 Log in or register to apply |
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April 2021
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