NERC-CASE PhD Studentship Satellite Based Remote Sensing of Marine Ecosystems



Fully funded NERC-CASE PhD Studentship

Reference Code: MA016

Closing Date: 18th November 2013

Name of the supervisors
Dr C Fitzsimmons, School of Marine Science and Technology, Newcastle University

Professor N Polunin, School of Marine Science and Technology, Newcastle University

Dr K Medcalf (Environment Systems)

Sponsor
Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), with CASE partner Environment Systems

Duration of the award
Three years, six months

Project description
The School of Marine Science and Technology, Newcastle, with Environment Systems, Aberystwyth, offers a NERC sponsored PhD studentship from January 2014.

A unique opportunity to develop a novel ecosystem service based, low cost marine monitoring solution, based on satellite imagery from the UK Caribbean Overseas Territories (UKCOTs) has arisen.

Marine ecosystems provide important ecosystem services to coastal communities. These underpin sectors including fisheries and tourism, but are threatened by local activities like unsustainable fishing and pollution. To properly understand these resources and the impact of management measures, costly monitoring is required.

You will develop and pilot novel marine object based imagery analysis (OBIA) techniques using UKCOTs case studies. Environment Systems has successfully developed and tested methods for terrestrial ecosystem service monitoring, with UKCOTs governments, you will use satellite data to develop these for the marine environment. Automated change detection methods and monitoring protocols will be developed for implementation in Anguilla. Predictive models will then be developed for other OTs, prior to you visiting the islands to verify maps produced. Marine ecological expertise, drawn from Newcastle University’s 30 year history of tropical marine teaching and research, will support you.

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You will join a team actively studying marine ecosystems and societies in the UK Caribbean Overseas Territories, and interact with relevant UK Overseas Territories’ governments and Defra/JNCC funders.

Value of the award and eligibility
This award is only available to UK/EU students. The studentship includes full tuition fees at the UK/EU rate and an annual stipend of £13,590.

Person specification
Candidates should possess at least an upper-second-class honours degree in a relevant area (e.g. Marine Biology; Remote Sensing; Geography).

How to apply
You must apply by clicking on the Apply button below.
Please complete the University’s online postgraduate application form selecting ‘PhD School of Marine Sciences and Technology – Marine Sciences’ as the programme of study. Once you have selected the programme, please insert the studentship/partnership reference number MA016. Please also include a CV, two page research proposal and (if relevant) a copy of your English Language qualifications.

Further information
For further details, please contact:
Miss Carol Barnett
E-mail: marine@ncl.ac.uk

or

Dr Clare Fitzsimmons
E-mail: clare.fitzsimmons@ncl.ac.uk

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