Impacts of UK heatwaves on coastal biodiversity: from genes to ecosystems

Impacts of UK heatwaves on coastal biodiversity: from genes to ecosystems

Project Description

Supervisors

Dr Manuela Truebano Garcia, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth

Dr Daniel Smale, Marine Biological Association

Dr Michael Collins, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth

 

Scientific Background

Climate change is driving more frequent and intense heatwaves, with major consequences for biodiversity, ecological functioning, and ecosystem services provided to society. In coastal habitats, most research has focused on impacts of marine heatwaves in subtidal environments and tropical or sub-tropical regions, while the temperate intertidal zone remains relatively underexplored, despite being one of the most thermally extreme habitats on Earth. Intertidal organisms face unique challenges, exposed to both marine and atmospheric heatwaves, often in rapid succession or concomitantly. Understanding individual-level responses, and the mechanisms underpinning these, is vital to identifying sensitive and resilient populations and species. Scaling from individuals to community-level responses is then essential for identifying ecological tipping points and forecasting climate change impacts in complex marine ecosystems.

 

Research Methodology

This project will apply a multi-level approach (molecular, physiology and ecology) to investigate how coastal temperate marine invertebrate and macroalgal species respond to extreme heat events, both marine and atmospheric, across multiple biological scales. You will:

  • Conduct single-species laboratory experiments on marine invertebrates and seaweeds to identify physiological responses to marine and atmospheric heatwaves.
  • Identify molecular mechanisms (via RNAseq) underpinning sensitivity and resilience in selected species.
  • Run community-scale mesocosm experiments to assess how ecological interactions mediate community-level responses to heatwaves.

 

Training

The project will be based within collaborative, multi-disciplinary research groups at the University of Plymouth and Marine Biological Association, and with strong ties to national and international networks. You will benefit from regular research meetings, journal clubs, and training in:

  • Marine invertebrate ecophysiology (Truebano)
  • Macrophyte physiology and climate community ecology (Smale)
  • Transcriptomics and bioinformatics (Collins)
  • Data analysis, critical thinking, scientific writing.

Your supervisors will help you identify your training and development needs, and use dedicated time and funding within the ARIES DTP programme to support your career development. You will be supported to lead manuscripts, present at international conferences, and engage with impact-facing activity.

 

Person Specification

We seek an enthusiastic individual with a background in biological sciences or related field. Experience with laboratory experiments and/or molecular techniques is advantageous but not essential. A keen interest in physiology and climate change, and strong quantitative analysis skills are essential.

Acceptable first degree subjects: Biological Sciences, Marine Biology, Environmental Sciences or related subjects

Project code: TRUEBANO_PLYM_ARIES26

References

  • Smith KE, Burrows MT, Hobday AJ, King NG, Moore PJ, Sen Gupta A, Thomsen MS, Wernberg T and Smale DS. 2023. Biological impacts of marine heatwaves. Annual Review of Marine Science 15(1), 119-145
  • Wernberg, T, Thomsen, MS, Burrows, MT, Smale DA et al. 2025. Marine heatwaves as hot spots of climate change and impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services. Nat. Rev. Biodivers. 1, 461–479
  • Stillman JH, Amri AB, Holdreith JM, Hooper A, Leon RV, Pruett LR and Bukaty BM. 2025. Ecophysiological responses to heat waves in the marine intertidal zone. J Exp Biol 228 (2), JEB246503
  • Collins M, Clark MS and Truebano M. 2023. The environmental cellular stress response: the intertidal as a multistressor model. Cell Stress and Chaperones 28 (5), 467-475
  • Abbas ASA, Collins M, Ellis R, Spicer JI & Truebano M. 2024. Heat hardening improves thermal tolerance in abalone, without the trade-offs associated with chronic heat exposure. Journal of Thermal Biology, 124, 103963

Key Information

  • This studentship has been shortlisted for funding under the UKRI NERC DLA funding scheme and will commence on 1 October 2026. The closing date for applications is 23:59 on 7 January 2026.
  • Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded studentship, which covers fees, maintenance stipend (£20,780 p.a. for 2025/26) and a research training and support grant (RTSG). 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 postgraduate researchers (PGRs) benefit from bespoke 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. 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 immigration 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 asked to complete the form by the University to which you apply.
  • ARIES studentships are 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. Please see https://www.ukri.org/publications/terms-and-conditions-for-training-funding/ for more information.

Apply Now

Apply now via  University of Plymouth ARIES Doctoral Training