PhD studentship: Aquatic non-native species: a closer look at their parasite fauna

 Fixed Term for 3 years

Supervisor: Dr. Sonja Rueckert (for further details, please contact: s.rueckert@napier.ac.uk)

Co-Supervisor: Dr. Rob Briers

 We are looking for a broadly trained and highly motivated PhD student who is keen to investigate the parasite fauna of aquatic invasive host species in the UK.

 Research Project

A non-native species is a species introduced outside its natural range. When a non-native species successfully settles, it can replace native fauna, transform habitats and even threaten entire ecosystems. The invasion by a parasite-infected host species may have a range of effects on the parasite fauna of the introduced host itself and the local parasite fauna. The proposed research will focus on the parasite fauna of different invasive aquatic fish and invertebrate species as well as native species. We are interested in the effects introduced parasites might have on their hosts, and the parasite fauna carried by these hosts. We will also investigate if there are any changes in the life cycles of present parasites, due to the introduction of non-native species. The research project will involve both field and laboratory work.

 This PhD studentship is funded by Edinburgh Napier University and MASTS (Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland) and will cover tuition fees and stipend (£13,726 p.a.) for three years. The successful candidate will be a member of the MASTS Graduate School (http://www.masts.ac.uk). The studentship will start in January 2014 and is open to UK and EU students. Non-UK/EU residents are also eligible, provided that they cover the difference between the home/EU and overseas tuition fees. EU and non-EU applicants must prove competency in English.

 The ideal candidate will hold a master degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant field such as parasitology, marine biology, limnology, fisheries biology, environmental biology, or ecology. A first or upper second class undergraduate honours degree will also be considered. The applicant will have a strong interest in aquatic biology and parasitology and experience in laboratory (e.g. fish dissection, parasite isolation, light microscopy) and field work in aquatic (freshwater and/or marine) science. The candidate will have a solid background in experimental design, good data analysis skills; will be enthused about taxonomy and highly motivated.

 Please download the electronic application form for ‘advertised studentships’ http://www.napier.ac.uk/research/research-degrees/Pages/Apply.aspx by clicking on the Apply button below.

Completed application forms should be emailed to Jane Wilhelm (j.wilhelm@napier.ac.uk) by 6 pm on Monday 21st October 2013.

Interviews will be held during the first week of November