PhD Studentship: Sustainable lighting for coastal cities

Sustainable lighting for coastal cities

Lead Supervisor (DoS): Dr Thomas Davies

Second Supervisor: Dr Olivia Rendón

Third Supervisor: Professor Tim Smyth

Fourth Supervisor: Phil Bellamy

Applications are invited for three 3.5 year PhD studentships with the Marine Institute at the University of Plymouth. The studentships are due to start on 1^st October 2025.

This project is one of nine topics being considered for an anticipated three studentships. Six topics are inviting candidates from open recruitment, with the remaining three following a different route to interview. The studentships will be allocated to the best combinations of candidate and project as they emerge from the interviews across all topics.

Plymouth has been at the forefront of global marine research for more than a century, and today it is home to the largest concentration of marine researchers in the UK. Come and join our vibrant community of marine PhD students.

Project Description

Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) has demonstrated impacts on biological processes in the sea. Opportunities exist to reduce the ecological harm caused by street lighting using a variety of alternative lighting strategies. This project will provide critical information for reducing natural capital losses caused by existing street lighting infrastructure as it is replaced over the next ten years. The student will undertake an interdisciplinary, holistic studentship involving natural and social sciences in collaboration with Plymouth City Council. The student will develop and deploy skills in social science, community ecology and hydrological modelling to quantify the social and ecological trade-offs of coastal city lighting.

The aim of the project is to quantify the social and ecological trade-offs of alternative street lighting strategies.

Objective 1: Review our current understanding of mitigating the ecological impacts of ALAN.

Objective 2: Model how alternative lighting strategies change natural light regimes in the sea.

Objective 3: Model and quantify how alternative lighting strategies change marine visual ecology.

Objective 4: Quantify public perceptions of alternative lighting strategies.

The student will have access to laboratories and equipment for conducting physical measurements of light and ecological experiments. They will be trained in the collection and interpretation of radiometric light data. The student will have access to the Jisc online survey platform for designing and implementing social science surveys. They will receive guidance in social science techniques, hydrological optics, visual models and ecological experiments. They will become proficient in data handling and analysis in R. The student will be invited to take part in relevant meetings and research of the AquaPLAN and FOCUS projects, as well as being integrated into the Global Ocean Artificial Light at Night Network to provide learning and networking opportunities.

If you wish to discuss this project further informally, please contact Dr Thomas Davies.

For further information on Eligibility and Funding, please click on the links below: 

• Eligibility
• Funding

To apply for this position please click on the Apply button above.  

Please clearly state the name of the DoS and the studentship that you are applying for at the top of your personal statement. 

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Monday 3^rd February 2025.

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