Scotland’s Government is increasingly seeking to develop sustainable energy resources, with numerous proposed marine renewable energy projects. Sustainable development of these projects requires monitoring programmes that deliver robust up-to-date information to assess potential impacts at appropriate spatio-temporal scales.
NatureScot is currently developing its monitoring strategy for the Inner Hebrides and the Minches Special Area of Conservation (IH&M SAC), established off western Scotland for the conservation of harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). NatureScot’s monitoring strategy is anticipated to use vessel-based visual and towed-acoustic survey data collected by the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT), complemented by continued deployment of static acoustic recorders by the Marine Directorate, and dedicated projects to address specific data gaps.
An opportunity exists to further analytical approaches of porpoise data to optimise monitoring for this conservation-priority species. This PhD aims to:
Analyse recent HWDT datasets to clarify spatio-temporal porpoise distribution across the IH&M SAC and western Scottish waters. Visual and passive acoustic survey data collected from 2011 onwards will be used in species distribution modelling (SDM) to obtain insights into environmental drivers underpinning spatio-temporal variability, and enable comparison between visual and passive acoustic datasets, as well as between current and historic model outcomes. This will also enable in-depth investigation of large-scale changes across the research area, as suggested by recent results.
Explore opportunities for integrating HWDT visual and passive acoustic datasets in combined abundance estimation analysis. There has been significant recent progress in developing statistical frameworks to estimate cetacean densities by combining passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) datasets with data collected by other methods. Building on these new approaches, the student will explore opportunities for integrating visual and towed-acoustic survey data, hereby highlighting caveats, assumptions, and limitations of these approaches. The student will analyse HWDT data for the SAC area to obtain abundance estimates. If existing data prove unsuitable, the student will, e.g. through model simulations, investigate how current data collection and analytical protocols can be improved.
Investigate noise impacts on relative porpoise presence patterns as detected by static acoustic recorders. Impacts of background noise levels on porpoise detection probability and detection ranges have received little attention to date, but understanding this effect is crucial to accurately interpret and compare static acoustic monitoring results. The student will investigate the extent to which porpoise detection rates might be affected by variability in overall soundscapes through the analyses of existing acoustic data, complemented by data from dedicated experiments.
This inter-disciplinary studentship will improve our current understanding of porpoise presence off western Scotland and substantially improve methodological approaches by 1) analysing >10 years of survey data to assess spatio-temporal distribution patterns, 2) assessing the suitability of these data in deriving abundance estimates, and obtain such estimates where appropriate, and 3) investigate the need to correct for noise conditions to improve interpretation of detection results from static PAM.
Proposed schedule:
Year 1:
- Review scientific literature on porpoise ecology and vocalisation, acoustic monitoring, and relevant statistical techniques
- Train in acoustic processing to detect porpoise echolocation; process acoustic data
- Train in methods for cetacean abundance and density estimation
- Identify appropriate statistical abundance estimation method(s); evaluate suitability of survey data for these; commence analysis
Year 2:
- Complete abundance estimation analysis and/or development of protocol recommendations allowing implementation of abundance estimation framework
- Develop species distribution modelling protocols; commence implementation of protocols to visual and acoustic data
- Design and undertake static acoustic monitoring fieldwork
Year 3:
- Finalise species distribution modelling
- Train in ambient sound analysis; apply this to acoustic data; investigate resulting patterns in porpoise presence across noise levels/thresholds/recording instruments
- Commence writing up dissertation
Year 4:
- Finish writing up
A suitable candidate should have strong quantitative skills, with proficiency in species distribution modelling and wildlife population density estimation being strong advantages. Ideally, the candidate will have some background in passive acoustic data analyses (species detection/classification; sound level).
Skills:
- Strong in statistical modelling (Essential)
- Programming (Essential)
- Passive acoustic data analyses (Desired)
- Familiar with species distribution modelling/density estimation (Desired)
- Self-motivated (Essential)
- Able to work independently and as part of a small team (Essential)
- Attention to detail (Essential)
- Good writing skills (Desired)
Experiences:
- Planning and conducting fieldwork (Useful)
Interests:
- Species conservation (Essential)
- Mobile species management (Desired)
Director of Studies: Dr Nienke van Geel
Supervisory Team: Prof Len Thomas (University of St Andrews), Dr Steven Benjamins (SAMS), Rona Sinclair (NatureScot), Dr Kate Brookes (Marine Directorate – Scottish Government) and Dr Lauren Hartny-Mills (Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust).
Application Deadline: Friday May 16th 2025, 17:00 BST.
Interview Date: Monday 2nd June 2025 (morning).
Course Start Date: 1st October 2025
Funding: This 3.5 year PhD studentship is fully funded by SAMS, NatureScot, and ScotMER in the Offshore Wind Directorate (Scottish Government). The studentship covers Home (UK) tuition fees, a maintenance stipend and a research training grant. International applicants are also welcome to apply but please note, if the successful candidate has international fee status, they will be required to pay the difference between home and international tuition fees in advance of each year.
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This 3.5 year PhD studentship is fully funded by SAMS, NatureScot, and ScotMER in the Offshore Wind Directorate (Scottish Government). The studentship covers Home (UK) tuition fees, a maintenance stipend, a research training grant and follows UKRI funding guidance.
To qualify for Home (UK) fees status, applicants must be either a UK National (meeting residency requirements) or meet the requirements of the EU Settlement Scheme and have either settled status, pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements) or indefinite leave to remain or enter.
All other International applicants are also welcome to apply but please note, if the successful candidate has international fee status, they will be required to pay the difference between home and international tuition fees each year. In 2025/26 this will be £12,903. Scholarships may be available. Continuing students’ annual tuition fees are subject to revision annually and typically increase between 1.5-3% per annum.
SAMS is an Academic Partner of UHI. Fees information is available here: How much will it cost? - Research postgraduate tuition fees.
How to Apply for this Project:
Key dates
Closing date for applications: Friday 16th May 2025, 17:00 BST.
Interview date: Monday 2nd June 2025 (morning). Interviews will be held online via Teams.
Eligibility
SAMS is an Academic Partner of UHI. To be eligible to study for a PhD at SAMS, applicants 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 or over in every section with a minimum score of 6.5 overall (6+ in writing), gained within two years prior to your registration date.
How to Apply
Please complete Sections 1-4 of the application form: Research Degree Student application 1.0_SAMS_NvG
Return your completed application form with all supporting documents listed below as one pdf to the email stated on the form.
Please ask your referees to complete and return the PhD Applicant Reference Request form to phd@sams.ac.uk.
Supporting Documentation Required
The following documents should be emailed with your application as one pdf file:
- CV
- Copies of all official qualification certificates and transcripts.
If your official certificates/transcripts are not in English, they must be accompanied by a full certified translation provided by a professional translator/translation company.
- If English is not your native language, an English language test certificate (IELTS or equivalent), gained within the past two years.
- If you are not a UK national, a copy of the photo page of your passport. Also include any pages which indicate a right of abode in the UK.
- 2 academic references. If references are not available at the time of submission, they can be excluded from the single pdf file, however applicants are responsible for ensuring their referees submit the references to the email given on the application form by the deadline.
Your application, references and all supporting documents should be submitted by the closing date for applications.
For administrative issues, questions relating to the form and to submit your application, your first and main point of contact is the Postgraduate Academic Support Administrator who can be contacted by email to: phd@sams.ac.uk.