7 fully-funded full-time PhD studentships are open at SAMS-UHI are offering a total of starting in the 2017/19 academic year. The PhDs on offer are:
- Culturing kelp like microalgae; gametophyte cultivation for metabolite extraction (PhD details kelp cultivation)
- Optimising the decommissioning of concrete mattresses and support structures in the North Sea (PhD details decommissioning structures)
- Artificial reef creation using decommissioned mattresses – environmental performance and fisheries enhancement potential in the North Sea (PhD details artifical reef)
- Propagation of underwater noise from Scottish fish farms (PhD details fish farm underwater noise)
- Bio-prospecting for novel marine polysaccharides for the Life Sciences (PhD details bioprospecting)
- Distribution of microplastics in the Scottish marine environment (PhD details microplastics in Scottish seas)
- Addressing the impact of the landings obligation on the fishers of Shetland (Phd details landings obligations of Shetland fishers)
Self-funded PhD project opportunities
Below are some ideas put forward by staff for students who want to self-fund a PhD project:
- Using microalgae to strip contaminating phosphates and nitrates from water supplies with (Dr Michele Stanley and Prof John Day)
- The genetic stabilit of microalgal strains used in biofuel production (Dr Michele Stanley and Prof John Day)
- Modelling the hydrodynamics of large scale macroalgae cultivation (Dr Michele Stanley and Prof John Day)
- Oyster culture in Scotland (Drs Adam Hughes and Michele Stanley)
- The war of the marine worlds: Do pathogens contribute to the resilience of marine ecosystems against biological invasions? (Dr Claire Gachon)
- Genomics of algal defenses against their pathogens (Dr Claire Gachon)
- The evolution of pathogenicity among oomycetes: a comparative genomics approach (Dr Claire Gachon)
- Implications of large offshore renewables arrays for fisheries (Dr Clive Fox)
- Prey selection by gadoid larvae (Dr Clive Fox
- Behaviour of the marine predatory copepod Euchaeta norvegica (Dr Clive Fox)
- Reproductive behaviour of a southern copepod in the changing environment of the west of Scotland (Dr Clive Fox)
- Feeding preferences of Nephrops larvae (Dr Clive Fox)
- Dispersal of early life stages of flatfish on the west of Scotland (Dr Clive Fox and Professor Michael Burrows)
- Fine scale passive acoustic tracking of harbour porpoises: investigation of echolocation behaviour and practical applications (Professor Ben Wilson)
- Arctic wide zooplankton migration behaviour (Drs Finlo Cottier and Kim Last)
- Developing a fjord box model for high latitudes (Professor Mark Inall and Dr Finlo Cottier)
- How does vertical mixing influence ocean-glacier interactions? (Professor Mark Inall and Dr Finlo Cottier)
Most our PhD projects are registered through the University of the Highlands and Islands, and this page outlines the application procedure for UHI PhDs. Please note that we have several other doctoral training partnerships – most notably with the University of Edinburgh, and applications to these programmes follow procedures by other universities.
Required Eligibility
To be eligible to study for a PhD at SAMS UHI, who need to possess – in a relevant discipline and from a reputable institution:
A Master’s qualification and / or A Bachelor degree with first class or upper second class honours and / or Another qualification or substantial experience that demonstrates your academic competence to complete doctoral training successfully (to be approved by the UHI Research Degrees Committee on the recommendation of the SAMS Director).
Additionally, international students whose first language is not English and who do not hold a prior degree obtained in English must hold an IELTS qualification with a score of 6.5 (6+ in writing), gained within two years prior to your registration date.
How to apply
Deadline for applications: Monday 8 May 2017, 12pm (UK time) More information including link to application forms Please note that you must use the application form on the given link rather than the one on the ‘How to apply’ tab on this website.
To apply, you will need to collate the following:
- Completed application (UHI Graduate School Postgraduate application form 2016)
- Curriculum vitae and Cover letter
- Copy of all your official degree transcripts (BSc & MSc – as appropriate). If you have not yet completed your degree, please send a transcript showing all your modules and grades.
- Two references (must be on official University/Company headed paper, dated within the last two months and hold an original signature)
- For applicants whose first language is not English: proof of English language competency (IELTS score document)
- These documents should be sent to reach us by the deadline advertised on each advert.
By post
Fiona Tindall (Academic Registry Officer Post Graduate)
The Scottish Association for Marine Science
Oban, Argyll PA37 1QA, UK
OR
By Email: phd@sams.ac.uk
Interview information
The best candidates on paper will be invited for face-to-face interview. Applicants who cannot attend an interview in Oban may be offered Skype interviews.
Most importantly you need to have identified an approved PhD project (including a Director of Studies / supervisory team) that you are unquestionably excited by. This can be a ready made project advertised on these pages OR a proposal you have developed with a SAMS supervisor and have funding for.
Most PhD students will want to meet their potential supervisors to discuss the project, their personal suitability and to ascertain that they will be able to work together for a prolonged period of time.
For administrative issues, your first and main point of contact is the postgraduate registry officer, Fiona Tindall:
E: PhD@sams.ac.uk T: +44 (0) 1631 559 000 (reception)
T: +44 (0) 1631 559 427 (direct)
The SAMS graduate school is convened by marine deep-sea ecologist, Dr Bhavani Narayanaswamy:
E: Bhavani.Narayanaswamy@sams.ac.uk T: +44 (0) 1631 559 305 (direct)
