Details
The ACCE DTP is committed to recruiting extraordinary future scientists regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, faith or religious belief, pregnancy or maternity, parental or caring responsibilities or career pathway to date. We understand that a student’s potential can be shown in many ways and we strive to recruit students from all backgrounds, and support them on their scientific journey.
We have designed our application systems to identify candidates who are likely to be successful in research regardless of what opportunities may have been available to them prior to their application.
Various support and guidance on applying for an ACCE DTP studentship, including how to apply; what we’re looking for (including our assessment rubric); details of financial support, training, and placement opportunities available; and details of our recruitment process, can be found at accedtp.ac.uk, in the ‘prospective applicants’ tab.
Project Overview
When addressing the management of marine ecosystems, there are typically several established models for predicting the effects of any given action or environmental change. Often different models give conflicting answers. However, no single model is better than the rest, with some models being better at particular aspects than others. A statistical modelling approach that allows the use of an 'ensemble' of different ecosystem models has been developed by researchers at the University of Sheffield and at the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), and is being widely used to address questions related to fishing and multispecies effects on a stock level.
Objectives
In this project, the student will extend the range of model structures for which the ensemble approach can be used. For example, they will explore the use of spatially explicit models, such as regional climate models and species distribution models, within an ensemble. This extended framework will be used to investigate some specific scenarios and management options of direct interest to Cefas.
Novelty
The current ensemble approach represents the state of the art for predicting marine ecosystems, for both scientific and management purposes. This project is a unique opportunity to develop novel extensions to the ensemble approach, and hence new applications, under the the supervision of the researchers who carried out the original work and with input from scientists responsible for official advice on fisheries to the UK government.
Timeliness
There is an increasing international mandate to implement a proper ecosystem approach to fisheries management, in response to environmental and political change. This requires the use of more complex models than can currently be included in the ensemble approach. Extending the approach now will enable more detailed and robust scientific understanding and advice when examining ecosystem consequences of management and climate change in the future.
Essential and Desirable Criteria
A good first degree or Masters degree with a substantial component of mathematics or statistics.
Good programming skills in a high-level programming language e.g. R or Python.
Knowledge of community ecology
Knowledge of marine ecology or fisheries
How to Apply
Notes and details of how to apply are available here: https://accedtp.ac.uk/phd-opportunities/
All applicants to ACCE must complete the ACCE personal statement proforma. This is instead of a personal/supporting statement or cover letter. The proforma is designed to standardise this part of the application to minimise the difference between those who are given support and those who are not. Candidates should also submit a cv and the contact details of 2 referees.
Informal enquiries may be made to [email protected]
Part-Time Study Options
All ACCE PhDs are available as part time or full time, with part time being a minimum of 50% of full time. Please discuss potential part time arrangements with the primary supervisor before applying to the programme.
Project CASE
This project is a CASE project. Your project will be co-supervised by the non-academic partner organisation, and you will spend 3-6 months on a placement with your CASE partner in their workplace. You will experience training, facilities and expertise not available in an academic setting, and will build business and research collaborations. Your CASE partner will also contribute an additional £1000 per year to your Research and Training Support Grant.
Funding Information
NERC ACCE DTP programme starts from October 2024.
UKRI provide the following funding for 3.5 years:
• Stipend (2023/24 UKRI rate £18,622)
• Tuition Fees at UK fee rate (2023/24 rate £4,712)
• Research support and training grant (RTSG)
Note - UKRI funding only covers UK (Home) fees. The DTP partners have various schemes which allow international students to join the DTP but only be required to pay home fees. Home fees are already covered in the UKRI funding, meaning that successful international candidates do not need to find any additional funding for fees.