PhD position available now!!
Broodstock management and population genetics of native wrasse species.
AWARD:A 3 year fully funded research studentship (stipend – minimum £13,590 per annum; plus tuition fees at the UK/EU rate) starting in April 2012 is available at the University of Stirling
SUPERVISORS: Dr. Herve Migaud, and Dr. Andrew Davie from the Institute of Aquaculture (University of Stirling, UoS).
Closing date: 17th February 2012.
BACKGROUND: Sea lice continue to be one of the most costly and contentious health issues for the salmon farming industry and as such all possible control methods are being explored. The cohabitation of native wrasse species is widely considered to be one of the more environmental friendly and sustainable solutions in development. This sustainability however is only achievable if the wrasse are farmed rather than wild caught as is practiced in some areas. The farming of wrasse however is still very much in its infancy with there being limited knowledge about their reproductive physiology, spawning behaviour, larval development and general performance in captivity. Leading Scottish salmon producers (Marine Harvest Scotland and Scottish Seafarms) and scientists from the Institute of Aquaculture’s Reproduction & Genetics team have been recently awarded co-funding of £2.1m from the Technology Strategy Board to develop the technologies to breed and grow commercially viable numbers of wrasse in tanks. These will then be deployed successfully and sustainably in Atlantic salmon farms across Scotland.
PROJECT: This studentship, funded by Technology Strategy Board (TSB) is integral to the collaboration and will focus primarily on research to underpin the development of sustainable broodstock management protocols. The three areas of research to be undertaken will be (1) to develop and validate robust genomic marker methodologies for population analyses to provide information on the genetic diversity of wild/farmed wrasse populations, (2) develop gender identification methodologies (e.g. geometric morphometrics) to help optimise the establishment of breeding populations and (3) develop gender and spawning control methodologies using environmental/endocrine control techniques to increase hatchery productivity. The candidate would be expected to have a background in areas related to either reproductive physiology or population genetics in an aquaculture context. A significant proportion of the work will be performed in remote areas of the west coast of Scotland therefore the candidate must have a UK accepted driving licence.
TRAINING: The student will be trained in a range of techniques from fish husbandry and broodstock management to population genetics as well as scientific writing / reporting.
APPLICANTS: Candidates must have a First / Upper Second Class BSc / MSc in a relevant subject. It is not expected that candidates will have experience in all of the above techniques, but they will need to demonstrate the aptitude and commitment to be trained and work in both the laboratory and field environments. The applicant will perform work at UoS facilities as well as commercial facilities on the west coast of Scotland.
Applicants are encouraged to contact Dr. Herve Migaud (hm7@stir.ac.uk, telephone +44 1786 467886) with informal enquires.
APPLICATION PROCESS: To apply, send a covering letter and up-to-date CV to anda.kilpatrick@stir.ac.uk by 17th February 2012. Candidates will then be shortlisted and interviewed with the intention of starting the PhD in April 2012.