The Department Actuarial Mathematics and Statistics at Heriot-Watt University and the British Antarctic Survey invites applications for a PhD position for the project “Statistical Control of the Ecological Risks of Fisheries” under the primary supervision of Abdul-Lateef Haji-Ali from HWU and co-Supervision of Simeon Hill and Norman Ratcliffe from BAS and in collaboration with Marine Scotland. The successful applicant will be considered for funding for up to 3.5 years on EPSRC stipend level in addition to tuition fees.

This PhD project will use state-of-the-art statistical methods to analyse the dynamics involved in fisheries and develop new tools for managing the ecological and financial impacts of fishing. Fishing competes with predators, such as birds and seals, for resources and might impact their populations. The analysis of ecosystem dynamics will make use of extensive data including remote sensed environmental variables and time series of bird, mammal and fish population and performance estimates. The results of this analysis will then be used in a simulation framework to develop and test feedback methods for managing the fisheries to control the risks to marine ecosystems while maintaining economic benefits of fishing. In addition to working on this project, the PhD candidate will be expected to enrol in several PhD level courses in the Maxwell Institute during the first year of the PhD.

Apply Now (You will need to create an account to start the application process. For the research statement simply state the title of the project: “Statistical Control of the Ecological Risks of Fisheries”)

For any further enquiries about the position, please contact Abdul-Lateef Haji-Ali.