Assessing the use of Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles to monitor Ireland’s Marine Protected Areas and provide best practice advice

4 Jan 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Galway

Department

Marine and Freshwater Research Centre

Research Field

Environmental science » Natural resources management

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Ireland

Application Deadline

25 Jan 2024 - 12:00 (Europe/Dublin)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

This project is a multidisciplinary collaboration between the Marine and Freshwater Research Centre at  Atlantic Technological University (ATU) in Galway City and the Irish Marine Institute in Galway. It combines the expertise of personnel with a track record of using Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), biologists, and quantitative ecologists to investigate the potential for UAVs to provide data for monitoring and managing marine protected areas in support of Ireland's emerging marine spatial planning framework. Within the context of a 4 year structured doctoral degree programme at ATU the Cullen Fellow, under the guidance of the supervisory team will:

 

• Document and analyse the challenges and requirements for the use of UAVs in the marine environment, with specific reference to MPAs in the Irish exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
• Conduct field-based experiments to compare the use of vessel monitoring systems (VMS/AIS) and UAV flyover methods to monitor fishing activities within selected case study sites.
• Conduct field-based experiments to investigate the use of UAVs to evaluate the abundance and distribution of biological features of interest within case study sites, including the impact of any detected disturbance.
• Investigate the potential for UAVs to quantify the nature and extent of other anthropogenic activities within case study sites, including data gaps for site specific monitoring.
• Combine the outputs with results from reviews of international research to inform recommendations and technical guidelines for the use of UAVs in MPA monitoring and management in Ireland.

The expected outcomes of this project include improved understanding of the potential of UAVs to provide data to underpin the monitoring and management of MPAs, thus facilitating the implementation of the plan led approach and contributing to national and EU policy on delivering effective MPAs.

Requirements

Research Field

Environmental science » Natural resources management

Education Level

Bachelor Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Biological sciences » Biodiversity

Education Level

Bachelor Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Environmental science » Ecology

Education Level

Bachelor Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Requirements/Qualifications: The successful candidate will hold an Honours Bachelor of Science degree with a minimum award classification of 2:1 or equivalent in a cognate discipline, any of the following: Marine Biology, Oceanography, Fisheries Science, Aquatic Ecology, or a related discipline.

A full clean EU driving licence is desirable. The candidate will be expected to work on their own initiative and be willing to acquire the broader skills necessary for the successful completion of a PhD project

Specific Requirements

If either English or Irish is not the applicant’s first language, evidence of English language proficiency is required for registration. Please refer to web link English Language Requirements | ATU - Atlantic Technological University to view the minimum English language proficiency standards for entry to ATU

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Research Field

Environmental science » Natural resources management

Additional Information
Benefits

Conditions:

• €25,000 Stipend per annum.
• Postgraduate fees for EU/EEA students will be covered by the project.

Please Note: Candidates from outside the EU/EEA are eligible to apply, but will be expected to provide evidence of sources of additional funds to cover excesses associated with Non-EU fees .*

• In addition, any necessary travel and material costs incurred during the project will be covered

 

* In lieu of fees a non-EU/EEA scholar may be able to apply to undertake two hours of academic development activities per week during the academic year through participation in teaching support, tutorial provision, and/or practical demonstration

Eligibility criteria

Requirements/Qualifications: The successful candidate will hold an Honours Degree with a minimum award classification of 2:1 or equivalent in a cognate discipline (Marine Biology, Oceanography, Fisheries Science, Aquatic Ecology, or a related discipline). A full clean EU driving licence is desirable. The candidate will be expected to work on their own initiative and be willing to acquire the broader skills necessary for the successful completion of a PhD project.

Selection process

Applicants should submit their:

• Curriculum Vitae (to include details of 2 referees)
• A copy of transcript of results
• A Personal Statementto:

The Personal Statement should not exceed 1 page and must include details on:

• How your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this PhD research programme
• Why you would like to pursue this PhD research programme.

Applications must be submitted to ResearchOffice.galway [email protected] e-mail address only .Please ensure all documents are emailed as a single Word or PDF file .

Website for additional job details

https://www.gmit.ie/sites/default/files/2024-01/cullenianoconnorp230074x.pdf

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Galway

Country

Ireland

State/Province

Choose an option...

City

Galway

Postal Code

na

Where to apply

E-mail

[email protected]

Contact

State/Province

Galway

City

Galway

Website

https://mfrc-atu.ie
https://www.marine.ie/

Street

Old Dublin Rd, Galway, Ireland

Postal Code

na

E-Mail

[email protected]
[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED