PhD Opportunities

Be inspired by leaders in their fields with our range of PhD opportunities here at the Marine Biological Association.

Take a look at some of the exciting opportunities hosted by the Marine Biological Association and through our Marine Research Plymouth (MRP) partners, the University of Plymouth and Plymouth Marine Laboratory.   

  

Microscope work

Current Opportunities


ARIES: Complex relationships: Exploring the role of the diatom microbiome in host-parasite interaction

Home institution: Marine Biological Association

DTP: ARIES

Primary supervisor and their institute(s): Professor Michael Cunliffe, Marine Biological Association and University of Plymouth

Other supervisors and their institute(s): Dr Miriam Reverter University of Plymouth; Dr Katherine Helliwell Marine Biological Association and University of Exeter. Closing Date: 10 January 2024.

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INSPIRE: Predicting future shark habitats and distributions under climate change

Home institution: Marine Biological Association

DTP: INSPIRE

Primary supervisor and their institute(s): Professor David Sims, Marine Biological Association and University of Southampton

Other supervisors and their institute(s): Dr Ryan Reisinger University of Southampton; Freya Womersley Marine Biological Association; Dr Nuno Queiroz Universidade do Porto.

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Basking sharks






INSPIRE: Evolution of calcification in coccolithophores

Home institution: Marine Biological Association

DTP: INSPIRE

Primary supervisor and their institute(s): Dr Glen Wheeler, Marine Biological Association

Other supervisors and their institute(s): Dr Jan Janouskovec (University of Southampton), Dr Jeff Thompson (University of Southampton). Closing Date: 3 January 2024.

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SWBio: How do diatom cells sense temperature stress?

Home institution: Marine Biological Association

DTP: SWBio

Primary supervisor and their institute(s): Dr Glen Wheeler, Marine Biological Association

Other supervisors and their institute(s): Dr Vinod Kumar (University of Exeter), Dr Katherine Helliwell (University of Exeter). Closing Date: 4 December 2023.

Closing date: 4 December 2023

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Marine Research Plymouth: New approaches to image dynamic sinking behaviour in marine phytoplankton

Home institution: Marine Biological Association

DTP: MRP

Primary supervisor and their institute(s): Dr Glen Wheeler, Marine Biological Association

Other supervisors and their institute(s): Alex Nimmo-Smith (University of Plymouth), James Clark (PML)

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Marine Research Plymouth: How do Organic Nutrients Sustain Shelf Seas Productivity?

Home institution: Marine Biological Association

DTP: MRP

Primary supervisor and their institute(s): Katherine Helliwell, Marine Biological Association

Other supervisors and their institute(s): Mark Fitzsimons (University of Plymouth), Andy Rees (PML).

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Sound of Sharks: Assessing the spatial and temporal distribution of sharks in Plymouth Sound and surrounding waters to inform sustainable ecosystem management approaches

Home institution: University of Plymouth

DTP: MRP

Primary supervisor and their institute(s): Dr Emma Sheehan University of Plymouth

Other supervisors and their institute(s): Professor David Sims Marine Biological Association and University of Southampton; Dr Peter Miller Plymouth Marine Laboratory.

Closing date: 8 January 2024

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Developing approaches for kelp forest restoration to futureproof UK marine biodiversity

The project will be supervised by Dr Dan Smale, Marine Biological Association, Dr Emma Sheehan (UoP) and Dr Tomas Chaigneau (UoE), with significant input from non-academic partners (Fishmongers Company and Seaweed Generation).

Closing date: 16 January 2024

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Impacts of marine heatwaves on coastal ecosystem structure and function

Dr Cathy Lucas, Dr Dan Smale, Dr Katie Smith, Marine Biological Association (MBA)

Closing date: 8 January 2024

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