PhD Studentship - Tracing Environmental Change Through Antarctic Food Webs: Stable-Isotope Ecology of Antarctic Seals

Antarctic marine ecosystems are undergoing rapid environmental change, yet we do not know how changes in ocean productivity and food web structure propagate to top predators. This project will ask: (1) how do environmental variability and changing food web structure influence the diet, trophic position and foraging strategies of Antarctic seals? (2) Do individuals, populations and species respond differently through time and space? and (3) can stable isotope analyses (SIA) reveal ecological responses to environmental change and inform understanding of ecosystem resilience?

The Doctoral Researcher will combine bulk-tissue SIA and compound-specific SIA (amino acids) of seal tissues with environmental and prey data, enabling complementary investigation of trophic ecology and food web baseline variation. Analyses will include isotope mixing and niche approaches, Bayesian modelling, multivariate statistics and reproducible data science workflows. The student will have flexibility to refine hypotheses, develop their own research questions and pursue emerging opportunities as results develop, supported by the supervisory team.

The project will provide training in animal biological sampling, sample preparation, laboratory protocols, Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (Elementar Analyser and Gas Chromatography), analytical quality control, isotope interpretation, statistical and Bayesian modelling, coding, data visualisation, scientific writing and field techniques. Collaborators from different Antarctic international research programmes have already committed samples, providing samples across Antarctica, with opportunities for the student to contribute to biological sampling during field activities where feasible. The student will also benefit from the GW4+ DLTP training programme.

Collaboration between University of Exeter, British Antarctic Survey and University of Bath will integrate expertise in marine predator and stable isotope ecology, Antarctic spatial and environmental ecology, and molecular, evolutionary and quantitative ecology. Co-supervision and opportunities to work across partner institutions will provide interdisciplinary training, expand the student’s scientific network and develop their ability to connect biochemical, ecological and environmental approaches to Antarctic ecosystem change.

Funding

For eligible students the studentship will cover home tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend.

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