PhD Postgraduate Research Opportunity
Ref:
Project Title: Investigation of the causes of early migration mortality in salmon and sea trout from the
Burrishoole National Index River using acoustic telemetry in freshwater and coastal
areas. (Marine Institute (Cullen Fellowship)
Funding Agency: Marine Institute
Description: An exciting opportunity has arisen for a suitably qualified and strongly motivated graduate
to undertake a PhD as part of a collaboration between GMIT and the Marine Institute.
Populations of both salmon and sea trout have undergone dramatic declines in recent decades. Although
high mortality rates are associated with the marine phase, this portion of the life cycle is poorly
understood for both species. Information is urgently required on the near-shore movements of both
salmon and sea trout in order to identify the causes of early marine mortality. This project will use
acoustic telemetry techniques, to describe and map the migration routes taken by post-smolts of Atlantic
salmon and sea trout during their seaward migration from the Burrishoole catchment, and to estimate
survival rates during the early marine phase. This information will be combined with an analysis of
survival rates from coded-wire tag returns provided by the Marine Institutes salmon, sea trout and eel
monitoring programme (50 year time series) and an investigation of trends in growth from archived
scales. Annual and regional changes in return rates will be examined and potential drivers of change in
growth and survival will be evaluated.
Requirements/Qualifications: The successful candidate will hold an Honours Degree (minimum 2:2,
but 2:1 or higher is desirable) in a cognate discipline e.g. Marine or Freshwater Biology, Zoology,
Ecology, or a related discipline. The candidate should have excellent field skills and be accustomed to
periods of intensive sampling. Knowledge of salmonid ecology, previous experience in fish tagging and
experience of working on small boats would be an advantage. A familiarity with the handling and
analysis of large long term datasets is desirable. A demonstrated ability to communicate scientific
research findings will be viewed favourably.
Project Duration: 36 months
Conditions:

€16,250 Stipend per annum.

Postgraduate fees for EU students will be covered by the project.

In addition, any necessary travel and material costs incurred during the project will also be covered.
Please Note: Candidates from outside the EU are eligible to apply, but will be expected to provide
evidence of sources of additional funds to cover excesses associated with Non-EU fees.
If either English or Irish is not the applicant’s first language, a certificate of language ability in
either language is required. IELTS level 6.0 or equivalent is mandatory for those presenting with
English as a foreign language.
Project Start Date: January 2016
Application Closing Date: 1.00 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 25th 2015
Interviews are expected to take place on Monday December 7th 2015
Applicants should submit their Curriculum Vitae (to include 2 referees) and a Personal
Statement to: ResearchOffice@gmit.ie
Applications must be submitted to this e-mail address only.
The Personal Statement should not exceed 1 page and include:
 How you meet the requirements of the position
 Why you would like to pursue a PhD Research Programme
For further information on the project please contact:
Dr Deirdre Brophy, Marine and Freshwater research Centre GMIT deirdre.brophy@gmit.ie
Dr Deirdre Cotter, Marine Institute Catchment Research Facility, Newport deirdre.cotter@marine.ie