The School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences at Queen Mary is one of the UK’s elite research centres, according to the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF). We offer a multi-disciplinary research environment and have approximately 180 PhD students working on projects in the biological and psychological sciences. Our students have access to a variety of research facilities supported by experienced staff, as well as a range of student support services.
We invite applications for a PhD opportunity to investigate the factors affecting the migratory behaviour of trout Salmo trutta L. in collaboration with the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) and University of Exeter.
Prof Iwan Jones of QMUL is an international research leader in freshwater ecology; he has over 120 publications, many in high-ranking journals. The laboratory is in a field station located on the banks of the river Frome in East Stoke, Dorset, furnished with the state-of-the-art equipment required to undertake cutting-edge research on migratory fish populations, and home to the GWCT Salmon and Trout Research Centre. Dr Sophie Elliott, Senior Fisheries Scientist at GWCT, has over ten years of experience in marine and freshwater fisheries science, conservation, and policy work. She has co-authored numerous International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) working group reports and is a member of the Working Group to develop and test assessment methods for sea trout populations (WGTRUTTA) for which results from this PhD will feed into. The GWCT fisheries team, work in close collaboration with relevant government regulators, international salmonid conservations groups, universities, and NGOs.
Prof Jamie Stevens of University of Exeter is an evolutionary biologist with wide-ranging interests in molecular ecology, population genetics and evolution. His research focuses on questions of population/conservation genetics, with particular emphasis on applying knowledge of population genetics to the management and conservation of Atlantic salmon and trout.
Our PhD students become part of Queen Mary’s Doctoral College which provides training and development opportunities, advice on funding, and financial support for research. Our students also have access to a Researcher Development Programme designed to help recognise and develop key skills and attributes needed to effectively manage research, and to prepare and plan for the next stages of their career.
The PhD studentship offers the opportunity to engage in high-profile expert groups (ICES Working Group on Sea Trout, WGTRUTTA) and with trout specialists from around the world.
This studentship is open to students applying for China Scholarship Council funding. Queen Mary University of London has partnered with the China Scholarship Council (CSC) to offer a joint scholarship programme to enable Chinese students to study for a PhD programme at Queen Mary. Under the scheme, Queen Mary will provide scholarships to cover all tuition fees, whilst the CSC will provide living expenses for 4 years and one return flight ticket to successful applicants.
Applicants must be:- Chinese students with a strong academic background.- Students holding a PR Chinese passport.- Either be resident in China at the time of application or studying overseas.- Students with prior experience of studying overseas (including in the UK) are eligible to apply. Chinese QMUL graduates/Masters’ students are therefore eligible for the scheme.Please refer to the CSC website for full details on eligibility and conditions on the scholarship.
Applications are invited from outstanding candidates with or expecting to receive a first or upper-second class honours degree and a masters degree in an area relevant to the project such as biology, ecology or related fields.
Experience in R statistical software programming and modelling, and good English written skills would be an advantage.
Applicants from outside of the UK are required to provide evidence of their English Language ability. Please see our English Language requirements page for details: https://www.qmul.ac.uk/international-students/englishlanguagerequirements/postgraduateresearch/
Informal enquiries about the project can be sent to Prof Iwan Jones at j.i.jones@qmul.ac.uk
Formal applications must be submitted through our online form by 31st January 2024 for consideration, including a CV, personal statement and qualifications. You must meet the IELTS/ English Language requirements for your course and submit all required documentation (including evidence of English Language) by 14th March 2024. You are therefore strongly advised to sit an approved English Language test as soon as possible.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited for a formal interview by the supervisor. If you are successful in your application, then you will be issued an QMUL Offer Letter, conditional on securing a CSC scholarship along with academic conditions still required to meet our entry requirements. Once applicants have obtained their QMUL Offer Letter, they should then apply to CSC for the scholarship by in March 2024 with the support of the supervisor.
Only applicants who are successful in their application to CSC can be issued an unconditional offer and enrol on our PhD programme. For further information, please go to: https://www.qmul.ac.uk/scholarships/items/china-scholarship-council-scholarships.html
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Goodwin JCA, King RA, Jones JI, Ibbotson AT & Stevens JR. (2016) A small number of anadromous females drive reproduction in a brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) population in an English chalk stream catchment Freshwater Biology 61: 1075-1089.
Nevoux M, Finstad B, Davidsen JG, Finlay R, Josset Q, Poole R, Höjesjö J, Aarestrup K, Persson L, Tolvanen O, Jonsson B. (2019) Environmental influences on life history strategies in partially anadromous brown trout (Salmo trutta, Salmonidae). Fish and Fisheries 20: 1051-1261.