Dear UKPN,
I would like to draw your attention to a NERC PhD opportunity at Plymouth University.
NERC Funded PhD Research Studentship Opportunity Investigating the impacts of climate change through Arctic food webs
Professor Simon Belt (Director of Studies), Professor Steve Rowland and Dr Tom Brown
School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth
Project Description
It is widely recognised that we are experiencing a period of rapid climate change of Earth. It has also been predicted that the polar regions represent a key barometer for measuring the likely impacts of this, largely due to the significant role that the marine environments in both the Arctic and the Antarctic play in controlling climate processes. One major contributor to the polar climate is sea ice, since it plays a crucial role in reflecting solar radiation and stratification of the water column. It is also predicted that changes in polar sea ice will have dramatic influences on polar ecosystems, largely since sea ice algae represent up to two-thirds of primary production in the Arctic Ocean and constitute a major component of the Arctic food web. However, the likely impacts of alterations to this food supply remain largely conjecture, especially as so little is known about the relationships between individual components of polar food webs. To date, only a handful of studies have attempted to investigate this and these are based on laboratory–based feeding experiments which probably do not mimic true environmental conditions.
The aim of the current project, therefore, is to develop a chemical biomarker-based approach to tracing the source and fate of organic matter within the Arctic's ecosystem. This will involve a similar methodology to that used for reconstructing past sea ice conditions developed previously, but will focus on the analysis of sea ice, phytoplankton and organic matter in the water column and higher trophic levels. Research work will largely involve laboratory-based analysis of organic chemical biomarkers.
Further information about the use of specific biomarker analysis to investigate past (Arctic) climate and more recent applications in Arctic ecosystems can be found in the following articles:
Belt, S.T., Massé, G., Rowland, S.J., Poulin, M., Michel, C. and LeBlanc, B. (2007) A novel chemical fossil of palaeo sea ice: IP25. Organic Geochemistry 38, 16-27
Brown, T.A. and Belt, S.T. (2012) Identification of the sea ice diatom biomarker IP25 in Arctic benthic macrofauna: direct evidence for a sea ice diatom diet in Arctic heterotrophs. Polar Biology 35, 131-137.
Brown, T.A. and Belt, S.T. (2012) Closely linked sea ice–pelagic coupling in the Amundsen Gulf revealed by the sea ice diatom biomarker IP25. Journal of Plankton Research 34, 647-654.
Brown, T.A., Belt, S.T. and Piepenburg, D. (2012) Evidence for a pan-Arctic sea-ice diatom diet in Strongylocentrotus spp. Polar Biology 30, 1281-1287.
Brown, T.A., Belt. S., Mundy, C., Philippe, B., Massé, G. and Poulin, M. (2011) Temporal and vertical variations of lipid biomarkers during a bottom ice diatom bloom in the Canadian Beaufort Sea: further evidence for the use of the IP25 biomarker as a proxy for spring Arctic sea ice. Polar Biology 34, 1857-1868.
The studentship will be full-time at the standard NERC rate (for full eligibility requirements see http://www.nerc.ac.uk/funding/available/postgrad/eligibility.asp). Candidates should have a 1st or 2i honours degree in Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, Biology or a related subject area. Applicants with a relevant MSc or MRes would be particularly welcome. The student will receive a stipend of approximately £13,590 per annum. The position is open to UK citizens and EU citizens with appropriate qualifications who have been resident or studied in the UK for three years. Start date is October 1 2012 or as soon as possible thereafter.
For an informal discussion please contact Dr Tom Brown (thomas.brown@plymouth.ac.uk), Professor Simon Belt (sbelt@plymouth.ac.uk) or Professor Steve Rowland (s.rowland@plymouth.ac.uk).
Background information can be found on the University of Plymouth website http://www.research.plymouth.ac.uk/pegg/staff/belt_st/stbelt.htm
HOW TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION
Applicants should send a CV and a cover letter/proposal (2 pages A4 max.) to Dr Tom Brown and Professor Simon Belt (by e-mail) outlining how their experience and skills match those required of the post. Within the letter/proposal, applicants will be expected to demonstrate evidence of having read some of the key literature relevant to this study.
Short-listed candidates will be invited for interview shortly after the closing date. Applicants who have not received an invitation for an interview by the end of September 2012 should consider that their application has been unsuccessful.
Closing Date: 7th September 2012
