This PhD project is eligible for competitive funding through NERC studentships awarded to the Department. 

Supervisors
Professor Kevin J Flynn (Institute of Environmental Sustainability, Swansea University)
Dr Robin Shields (Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture Research, Swansea University)
Dr Claudia Halsband-Lenk (Plymouth Marine Laboratory)

Project description

Ocean acidification associated with CO2 release is recognised as presenting a hitherto largely ignored threat linked to climate change. Acidification is suspected to adversely affect the behaviour of existing marine food webs. Key to these processes is the response of zooplankton, the link between phytoplanktonic primary production and fisheries. This project will explore, using experimental methods, the impact of acidification on copepod growth, feeding and reproduction. Cultures of copepods will be growth throughout their live cycle in seawater of different pH, supplied with phytoplankton grown under similar pH. Data collected from the project will be used to aid in the construction of mathematical models. Training will be given in phytoplankton and copepod culture, in nutrient, elemental and fatty acid analysis, and in mathematical modelling. The project is joint with the Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture Research - http://www.aquaculturewales.com, which has large-scale facilities for copepod culture, and with Plymouth Marine Laboratory (with Dr Claudia Halsband-Lenk). The project will also link with a NERC funded study of acidification and phytoplankton growth currently underway between Swansea and Plymouth Marine Laboratory. Applicants should have a first degree in a biological or oceanographic subject.

Application requirements

We are looking for a highly motivated student with a first or upper second class degree in a biological or oceanographic subject.

References

• FLYNN KJ, Irigoien X (2009) Why aldehyde-induced insidious effects cannot be considered as a diatom defence mechanism against copepods. Marine Ecology Progress Series in press
• FLYNN KJ (2009) Food-density dependent inefficiency in animals with a gut as a stabilising mechanism in trophic dynamics. Proceedings of the Royal Society Lond. B 276, 1147–1152 (doi:10.1098/rspb.2008.1575)
• FLYNN KJ (2008) Attack is not the best form of defense; lessons from harmful algal bloom dynamics. Harmful Algae 8; 129-139
• Mitra A, FLYNN KJ, (2007). Importance of interactions between food quality, quantity, and gut transit time on consumer feeding, growth, and trophic dynamics. American Naturalist 169; 632-646.
• Mitra A, FLYNN KJ (2006) Promotion of harmful algal blooms by zooplankton predatory activity. BiologyLetters 2; 194-197
• Jones RH, FLYNN KJ (2005) Nutritional status and diet composition affect the value of diatoms as copepod prey. Science 307; 1457-1459.
• Jones R, FLYNN KJ, Anderson T (2002) The effect of food quality on carbon and nitrogen growth efficiency in Acartia tonsa. Marine Ecology Progress Series 235; 147-156.
  

Funding

Although there is no fixed deadline for applying to undertake postgraduate research in Biosciences, there are deadlines for the allocation of funding.  Candidates must therefore apply for a research degree in order to be eligible for the available funding.  In order to be eligible for a NERC studentship, candidates are required to submit an application before 19 March 2010.   

You may apply online or by post via the University’s Admissions Office. 

Further information

Please contact Professor Kevin Flynn for further information: k.j.flynn@swansea.ac.uk