PhD Study : Modelling the effect of climate change on ecological networks

Summary

The effects of climate change on ecosystems are potentially wide ranging, including habitat loss (eg due to rising sea levels); basal food source depletion (eg due to extreme temperature variation); and species deletion (eg due to loss of individual ecological niches). Such impacts pose a serious threat to biodiversity and also have implications for global food production. Hence, there is a need to model the ecological dynamics of these impacts, but this is also challenging given the complex, non-linear nature of the interactions between species within an ecosystem (Mahli et al, 2020).

The project will explore the impact of climate change through the study of ecological networks which can be investigated via the analysis of multi-trophic level predator-prey models. The fact that the underlying mathematical models are both nonlinear and strongly coupled means that these models must be investigated computationally, and given the scale of such systems the computational analysis is CPU intensive, and the models are data rich.

This project will build on the work of previous PhD students at Ulster (Abernethy et al, 2019b, Abernethy et al, 2016 and Mullan et al 2016) using ecological models based on coupled map lattices (CML). These models will be significantly extended to investigate the robustness of ecological networks to both the gradual and rapid environmental changes which are brought about by climate change.

Using the CML models noted above, habitat loss, basal food source depletion, and species deletion will be modelled and assessed in terms of: (a) loss of species diversity, (b) species replacement due to invasion via migration and, (c) potential ecological collapse. Computationally, significant aspects of the project will include efficient algorithm design and the developing of strategies to effectively analyse the large amounts of data produced by the models.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• For VCRS Awards, Masters at 75%
• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
• Publications record appropriate to career stage

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living