Modelling future Southern Ocean ecosystems

HILL_EBAS25ARIES

Modelling future Southern Ocean ecosystems

HILL_EBAS25ARIES

Project Description

Hosted at British Antarctic Survey

Supervisors

Dr Simeon Hill, British Antarctic Survey – contact me

Dr Eoin O’Gorman, School of Life Sciences, University of Essex

Dr Claire Waluda, British Antarctic Survey

Dr Victoria Warwick-Evans, British Antarctic Survey

 

Scientific background

The Southern Ocean ecosystem is changing rapidly as a result of climate change and the recovery of over-exploited whale populations. There is concern about whether the ecosystem can support large increases in whale populations, alongside planned increases in krill fishery catch while maintaining contemporary populations of whale competitors such as seals, penguins, and fish. Understanding how the ecosystem is likely to change in future is thus critical for the international bodies responsible for protecting a wide range of Southern Ocean species. This requires the development of ecosystem models designed to meet the strategic objectives of these organisations.

Research methodology

This project will assess the capability of the current generation of ecosystem models to meet these strategic objectives, and develop a new model to simulate future change. The first phase will involve characterising the information requirements of these strategic objectives and matching current model outputs with these information requirements to identify any gaps in current capability. The second phase will involve addressing one or more important gaps through a combination of analysing existing ecological information (on how populations, distributions and feeding relationships change over time) and constructing a novel Southern Ocean ecosystem model. A likely framework for this model would combine the widely-used Ecopath with Ecosim approach with recent developments in energy flux modelling which are grounded in the mechanistic metabolic theory of ecology.

Training

The successful applicant will be co-hosted by the British Antarctic Survey and the University of Essex. This project will provide training in ecological modelling and analysis in the context of delivering scientific advice to policy makers. The supervisory team will offer training in a broad skillset related to marine biology, food web ecology, ecological modelling, ecophysiology, and science communication. The candidate will also have access to a wide range of courses in professional development and advanced research skills through Proficio funding at the University of Essex.

Person specification

We seek a numerate individual with a strong interest in marine ecology and conservation policy. Prior experience of programming is desirable as is a qualification in maths at A-level or higher.

Acceptable first degree subjects: Biology, Marine Biology, Zoology, Maths

References

  • Hill, S. L., Pinkerton, M. H., Ballerini, T., Cavan, E. L., Gurney, L. J., Martins, I., & Xavier, J. C. (2021). Robust model-based indicators of regional differences in food-web structure in the Southern Ocean. Journal of Marine Systems, 220, 103556
  • O’Gorman, E. J., Petchey, O. L., Faulkner, K. J., Gallo, B., Gordon, T. A., Neto-Cerejeira, J., ... & Woodward, G. (2019). A simple model predicts how warming simplifies wild food webs. Nature Climate Change, 9(8), 611-616
  • Kordas, R. L., Pawar, S., Kontopoulos, D. G., Woodward, G., & O’Gorman, E. J. (2022). Metabolic plasticity can amplify ecosystem responses to global warming. Nature Communications, 13(1), 2161.
  • Cavanagh, R. D., Melbourne-Thomas, J., Grant, S. M., Barnes, D. K., Hughes, K. A., Halfter, S., ... & Hill, S. L. (2021). Future risk for Southern Ocean ecosystem services under climate change. Frontiers in Marine Science, 7, 615214
  • Klein, E. S., Hill, S. L., Hinke, J. T., Phillips, T., & Watters, G. M. (2018). Impacts of rising sea temperature on krill increase risks for predators in the Scotia Sea. PloS one, 13(1), e0191011

Key Information

  • This studentship has been shortlisted for funding under the UKRI NERC DLA funding scheme and will commence on 1 October 2025. The closing date for applications is 23:59 on 8th January 2025.
  • Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded studentship, which covers fees, maintenance stipend (£19,237 p.a. for 2024/25) and research funding. A limited number of studentships are available for international applicants, with the difference between 'home' and 'international' fees being waived by the registering university. Please note however that ARIES funding does not cover additional costs associated with relocation to, and living in, the UK, such as visa costs or the health surcharge.
  • ARIES postgradute researcher (PGRs) benefit from bespoke graduate training and ARIES provides £2,500 to every student for access to external training, travel and conferences, on top of all Research Costs associated with the project. Excellent applicants from quantitative disciplines with limited experience in environmental sciences may be considered for an additional 3-month stipend to take advanced-level courses.
  • ARIES is committed to equality, diversity, widening participation and inclusion in all areas of its operation. We encourage enquiries and applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation and transgender status. Academic qualifications are considered alongside non-academic experience, and our recruitment process considers potential with the same weighting as past experience.
  • All ARIES studentships may be undertaken on a part-time or full-time basis. International applicants should check whether there are any conditions of visa or imigration permission that preclude part-time study. All advertised project proposals have been developed with consideration of a safe, inclusive, and appropriate research and fieldwork environment with respect to protected characteristics. If you have any concerns please contact us.
  • For further information, please contact the supervisor. To apply for this Studentship follow the instructions at the bottom of the page or click the 'apply now' link.
  • ARIES is required by our funders to collect Equality and Diversity Information from all of our applicants. The information you provide will be used solely for monitoring and statistical purposes; it will remain confidential, and will be stored on the UEA sharepoint server. Data will not be shared with those involved in making decisions on the award of Studentships, and will have no influence on the success of your application. It will only be shared outside of this group in an anonymised and aggregated form. You will be ask to complete the form by the University to which you apply.
  • If funded under the BBSRC-NERC DLA scheme, ARIES studentships will be subject to UKRI terms and conditions. Postgraduate Researchers are expected to live within reasonable distance of their host organisation for the duration of their studentship. See https://www.ukri.org/publications/terms-and-conditions-for-training-funding/ for more information

Apply now

Please send your cover letter and CV to:  ariesapp@essex.ac.uk, identifying the project that you’re interested in. Please include the relevant project code.