PhD Opportunity at UHI Shetland - "Tracing patterns of vessel movement – understanding secondary spread of fouling marine invasive non-native species”.

Preventing the spread of marine non-native species requires management of the vectors which help them move between areas. Globally, the primary vectors of marine non-native species introductions are shipping (via ballast water and hull fouling) and aquaculture. Hull fouling on smaller vessels is increasingly thought to be an important and unregulated pathway of secondary spread of marine non-native species. However, evidence on individual pathway dynamics and how these influence the spread of marine NNS is lacking at a national scale, preventing effective management.

The themes of the PhD will address non-native species spread and management through analysis of spatial data and vessel movements, supported by fieldwork on fouling non-native species and identification of guidance for marine management and governance.

We are keen to hear from applicants with an interest in spatial analysis, marine ecology and marine management. Experience of spatial analysis, GIS, strong written English, handling large datasets is desirable.

Project start date: 30 September 2024

Supervised by Dr R. Giesler (UHI Shetland), Professor E. Cottier-Cook (SAMS UHI), Dr L. McWhinnie (Heriot-Watt University) and Dr J. Kakkonen (Orkney Island Council).

Application deadline: 29 January 2024.

More information on how to apply is available here.