PhD Studentship: Investigating the Impact of Beaver on Fish Communities in Southern England

Supervisory Team: Paul Kemp, Andrew Vowles

PhD Supervisor: Paul Kemp

Project description:

Beavers are ecosystem engineers capable of modifying rivers to benefit biodiversity and humans, e.g. through improving water quality and reducing flooding. On the other hand, beavers can impact fisheries through altering spawning habitats and impeding migration. With the increasing beaver abundance in the UK, concerns related to their impacts on fish populations continue to emerge. There remains a lack of knowledge of how beavers might influence fish communities in England, particularly in the South of the country where increased population growth, house building, and wastewaster management places substantial pressures on freshwater resources. This project will address current gaps in knowledge by considering the impact of beaver landscape modification on:

• physical and chemical characteristics of lowland English rivers,
• hydrological regimes in rivers in which abstraction takes place,
• diversity of thermal habitat at fine-resolution scales,
• community composition, abundance and movement of multiple species of fish at beaver dams,
• implications of ecosystems response to future fisheries management.

Working as part of an interdisciplinary team the successful applicant will conduct a field study to quantify the effectiveness of the restoration approaches adopted at the study sites. They will develop skills in field study design, kick sampling, arc-boat surveys, electric fishing, fish telemetry, statistical analysis (e.g R), GIS and technical writing. We are looking for a dedicated person with a background in environmental science related subjects (e.g. geography, ecology, biology, environmental science) and an interest in interdisciplinary work to better understand the impact of beavers on fish communities. The successful candidate will have a first class or high upper second class undergraduate degree in an appropriate discipline. A merit or distinction class mark at Masters level would also be advantageous.

As the project will be field based, the successful candidate would also be expected to have a full driving licence.

Entry Requirements

A very good undergraduate degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent).

Applications will be considered in the order that they are received, the position will be considered filled when a suitable candidate has been identified.

Funding: We offer a range of funding opportunities for both UK and international students, including Bursaries and Scholarships.  For more information please visit PhD Scholarships | Doctoral College | University of Southampton  Funding will be awarded on a rolling basis, so apply early for the best opportunity to be considered.

How to apply

Apply online by clicking the 'Apply' button, above.

Select programme type (Research), 2024/25, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, next page select “PhD Engineering & Environment (Full time)”. In Section 2 of the application form you should insert the name of the supervisor Paul Kemp

Applications should include:

• Research Proposal
• Curriculum Vitae
• Two reference letters
• Degree Transcripts/Certificates to date

For further information please contact: feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk

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