Baza natječaja

 

Closing date: 5 January 2015

Project Supervisors:

Supervisor 1 - Prof Carlos Garcia de Leaniz, CSAR Swansea University

Supervisor 2 – Representative from Marine Harvest Scotland

Project Description:

Loses due to sea lice are limiting the capacity of the salmon industry to achieve sustainability, as sea lice have become resistant to a range of pesticides. The use of cleaner fish as a form of biological control represents a viable alternative to the use of chemicals. This has involved mostly the ballan wrasse (Labrus bergylta), which is already beginning to be cultured for this purpose. However, wrasse do not grow well at low temperatures and there is increasing interest in looking for alternative control species, of which the lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus) is one that offers the greatest potential. Using an estimated load ratio of 5% of cleaner fish to salmon, several million lumpfish are required by the salmon industry in the UK each year. Currently all lumpfish are derived from wild parents, which may pose a strain on natural populations. For the use of lumpfish to be fully sustainable, cleaner fish need to be reared entirely in captivity. Based on last year’s results, our commercial sponsor (Marine Harvest, the second largest seafood company in the world) is willing to support an MPhil or MRes student to address applied questions in cleaner fish research during 2015. This is an excellent opportunity for a suitably qualified and motivated student to carry-out research on sustainable aquaculture and natural pest control. Depending on outcomes, there is the possibility of extending this project further into a fully-funded PhD. The student will have the opportunity to develop the project aims around his/her own areas of interest. Very little is known about this species, so studies on reproduction, larval development, optimal diet, disease control, genetic variation and behaviour are all particularly needed.

Full funding (including an annual stipend plus full UK/EU tuition fees, amount to be confirmed) is available to support a motivated student to gain an MPhil or MRes degree, with the possibility of turning it into a PhD. Both full time and part-time candidates will be considered.

For more details please see here: http://www.swansea.ac.uk/postgraduate/scholarships/research/biosciences-mres-opt...

Eligibility

Candidates must have at least an upper second class honours degree, or a master's degree, in a relevant discipline.

Due to funding restrictions this studentship is open to UK/EU students only.

Funding information

Funding applies to: EU applicants (including UK) Funding notes:

The scholarship covers the full cost of UK/EU tuition fees, plus a living costs stipend (amount to be confirmed).

Contacts and how to apply

Administrative contact and how to apply:

To apply for this studentship, please download the Research Scholarship Application Form ‌and return it to the College of Science with the following:

- Academic References – all scholarship applications require two supporting references to be submitted. Please ensure that your chosen referees are aware of the funding deadline, as their references form a vital part of the evaluation process. Please either include these with your scholarship application or ask your referees to send them directly to science-scholarships@swansea.ac.uk
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates
- CV

Applicants should use the ‘Supplementary Personal Statement’ section of the application form to explain why the award they are applying for particularly matches their skills and experience and how they would choose to develop the project.

Please email the documents to science-scholarships@swansea.ac.uk or post them to:

Recruitment and Marketing Team
College of Science
Wallace Building
Swansea University
Singleton Park
Swansea SA2 8PP

The deadline for applications is Monday 5th January 2015.

Informal enquiries about this project are welcome and may be directed to Professor Carlos Garcia de Leaniz: c.garciadeleaniz@swansea.ac.uk

Application deadline:

5 January 2015