Funding

Self-funded

Project code

BIOL5210424

Department

School of the Environment and Life Sciences,

Start dates

October, February and April

Application deadline

Applications accepted all year round

Applications are invited for a self-funded, 3 year full-time or 6 year part-time PhD project.

The PhD will be based in the School of Biological Sciences  and will be supervised by Professor Alex Ford (University of Portsmouth) and Dr Rosie Williams (Zoological Society London). 

The work on this project will:

  • Determine the variability in sexually dimorphic characters in harbour porpoise using photo archives
  • Determine whether there are relationships between sexually dimorphic indices and environmental contamination
  • Develop an index for determining spermatozoa quality in harbour porpoises
  • Determine the relationship between spermatozoa quality and environmental contamination

 

Estrogenic and anti-androgenic pollutants can cause developmental abnormalities resulting in altered morphometrics of reproductive organs. Marine mammals are good indicators of environmental change as they are often at the top of their food chain and EDCs bioaccumulate through the trophic levels. Testicular weight has been shown to be negatively correlated with exposure to polychlorinated biphenyl’s (PCBs) in the harbour porpoise and in humans there is a negative association between PCB exposure and sperm quality. The ano-genital distance (AGD) is a measurement from the anus to the genital slit and has been known to shorten when pre-natal exposure to EDCs such as phthalates. The aim of this study is to gain a greater understanding into the effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and other pollutants on reproductive functions in the common harbour porpoise. Using 30 years of stranding data this study will develop the methodology to compare the AGD to pollutant burden using historic photo archives.  In addition, this study will use archived testicular tissues  to compare spermatophore development to contaminant burden and reproductive morphometrics. 

Fees and funding

Visit the research subject area page for fees and funding information for this project.

Funding availability: Self-funded PhD students only. 

PhD full-time and part-time courses are eligible for the UK Government Doctoral Loan (UK and EU students only).

Bench fees

Some PhD projects may include additional fees – known as bench fees – for equipment and other consumables, and these will be added to your standard tuition fee. Speak to the supervisory team during your interview about any additional fees you may have to pay. Please note, bench fees are not eligible for discounts and are non-refundable.

Entry requirements

You'll need a good first degree from an internationally recognised university (minimum upper second class or equivalent, depending on your chosen course) or a Master’s degree in Biological/Environmental Science or a related area. In exceptional cases, we may consider equivalent professional experience and/or Qualifications. English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

 

We are looking for a candidate with good image analysis skills and a willingness to develop new approaches to analyzing archives necroscopy images from archives photo libraries. This project will also involve histological sectioning thus any laboratory skills in this area along with knowledge of cetacean physiology would be beneficial although training can be provided.

 

How to apply

We’d encourage you to contact Professor Alex Ford (alex.ford@port.ac.uk) to discuss your interest before you apply, quoting the project code.

When you are ready to apply, please follow the 'Apply now' link on the Biological Siences PhD subject area page and select the link for the relevant intake. Make sure you submit a personal statement, proof of your degrees and grades, details of two referees, proof of your English language proficiency and an up-to-date CV. Our ‘How to Apply’ page offers further guidance on the PhD application process.

When applying please quote project code BIOL5210424.