offshore-wind

Aura CDT & ORE Catapult PhD Scholarship: Remote sensing of the marine environment to accelerate development of offshore aquaculture and offshore wind energy

Funding:

Funded PG Dip and PhD

Duration:

4 years (full-time)

Application deadline:

Sunday 24 January 2021

Apply now

About this project

The UK is committed to the use of offshore wind to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The EPSRC-NERC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Offshore Wind Energy and the Environment will enable delivery of this target by developing environmental engineering solutions to key offshore wind sector challenges; thereby supporting a sustainable energy supply. In partnership with Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult (ORE-Catapult), a 4-year taught and research industry-sponsored Aura CDT PhD is offered. The PhD directly addresses sector needs to develop remote sensing methods for the marine environment to accelerate development of offshore aquaculture and offshore wind energy.

Offshore aquaculture can deliver a source of sustainable seafood and biomolecules without the environmentally-damaging effects of traditional fishing. Together with offshore wind energy, aquaculture is the most promising ‘blue growth’ area for rapid development in the coming decade. But understanding the requirements and limitations of aquaculture will require the training of the next generation of multidisciplinary ocean scientists. Wave, wind and tidal conditions constrain the physical integrity of offshore structures, whilst biological factors such as nutrient supply and temperature tolerance constrain growth rates and harvestable yields. Economics and social acceptability will ultimately be decisive in the establishment of commercial-scale offshore aquaculture.

This PhD will explore the following research questions:

  • The suitability of offshore versus inshore sites for commercial scale bivalve (oysters, mussels) and macroalgae farming
  • The effects of colonised offshore wind farm infrastuctures and aquaculture sites of different scales on the marine environment in relation to the degree of physical mixing (wave and current)
  • Economic evaluation of the potential for co-located aquaculture-with-offshore wind at selected sites.

Data will be generated from fieldwork, satellite remote sensing and modelling during the study.

The post is available from September 2021 as a full-time position. You will join Cohort 3 of the Aura CDT in Hull, in the heart of the UK’s Energy Estuary – the global centre for research, innovation and development for the sector. Initially, you will study for a Postgraduate Diploma in Offshore Wind Energy and the Environment, followed by a 3-year PhD in Hull, supported by ORE-Catapult.

Find out more through our webinar

Click here to watch a recording of our recent free webinar about funded postgraduate research at the Aura CDT. You'll hear from programme leaders, supervisors, and students and listen to queries from other applicants in the Q&A.

For more information visit auracdt.hull.ac.uk

Apply now

To apply for this Aura CDT / ORE Catapult PhD Scholarship, please complete the online form accessed from the links below (please ensure you choose the appropriate link for full-time or part-time study):

Apply here for a full-time place on the Remote Sensing of the Marine Environment scholarship

Apply here for a part-time place on the Remote Sensing of the Marine Environment scholarship

For further advice on making an application, please see the Aura CDT website. 

Supervisors

About Postgraduate Research at Hull See all PhD Scholarships at Hull

The University's Postgraduate Training Scheme (PGTS) provides a range of generic and discipline-specific modules to support research students through their programme.

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The library has an exclusive lounge for postgraduate research students and a dedicated Skills Team to provide a wide range of study and research skills help. 

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The Doctoral College provides support to postgraduate research students. Offering skills development opportunities and dedicated facilities, the college is here to help you achieve your potential. 

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Funding

This full-time ORE-Catapult PhD Scholarship will include fees at the ‘Home/EU/International' student rate and maintenance (£15,560 per annum, 2021/22 rate) for four years, depending on satisfactory progress.

Entry requirements

If you have received a First-class Honours degree or a 2:1 Honours degree and a Masters (or the international equivalents) in Biosciences, Computer Science, Geography, Environmental Science, Oceanography or a related area, we would like to hear from you. Knowledge of some the following areas would be advantageous: marine ecology, ecosystems, satellite remote sensing, GIS, fisheries, statistical analysis. The field-based element of the work may require the candidate to participate in offshore activities on research vessels or with windfarm operators.

If your first language is not English, or you require Tier 4 student visa to study, you will be required to provide evidence of your English language proficiency level that meets the requirements of the Aura CDT’s academic partners. This course requires academic IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.0 in each skill.

 

How to Apply

Please apply online which enables you to track the progress of your application and upload supporting documents.

 

To apply for this Aura CDT / ORE Catapult PhD Scholarship, please complete the online form accessed from the links below (please ensure you choose the appropriate link for full-time or part-time study):

Apply here for a full-time place on the Remote Sensing of the Marine Environment scholarship

Apply here for a part-time place on the Remote Sensing of the Marine Environment scholarship

 

With your application, you need to upload copies of the following supporting evidence:

  • complete transcripts (and final degree certificate(s) where possible). If your qualification documents are not in English, you will need to supply copies of your original language documents as well as their official translation into English.
  • current Curriculum Vitae.
  • personal statement (please see guidance below on what you need to include in your statement).

Guidance on completing your personal statement

Your personal statement should be around 2 pages long. In your statement you should highlight:

  • your interest in the Aura CDT and the research proposal and how it fits with your career aspirations
  • how your previous study links with the Aura CDT and the research proposal
  • why you have an interest in offshore wind and the environment, particularly if your background is in an academic discipline not included in the list above
  • relevant work experience or other experience relevant to the Aura CDT
  • anything else you would like to tell us about yourself that makes you a great candidate.

Please also describe:

  • any relevant research experience (such as a project completed during a previous degree)
  • any academic work you have published or which is awaiting publication including venue/s
  • why you believe you are the best candidate to study with the Aura CDT.

International students must tell us about all prior UK study (whether completed/passed or not, including any short courses).