Sustainable lighting for coastal cities

Applications are invited for three 3.5 year PhD studentships with the Marine Institute at the University of Plymouth. The studentships are due to start on 1 October 2025.
SRRDG exhibit and sponsor plymouth barbican

Apply

To apply please use the online application form. Simply click on the ‘online application’ link below for PhD Marine Sciences
Online application
Within the research section of the application form, in the following fields, please add:
  • Proposed project title/studentship title: SERVO 25-10 Davies
  • Proposed supervisor: Dr Thomas Davies
When the application asks for a research proposal, please just upload a blank document. A research proposal is not needed for this programme as you are applying directly to a studentship project.

Application Guidance

It is important that you follow the instructions above or your application for this studentship may be missed and therefore will not be considered.
Before applying, please ensure you have read the Doctoral College’s general information on applying for a postgraduate research degree .
For more information on the admissions process please contact research.degree.admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.
Lead Supervisor (DoS): Dr Thomas Davies
Second Supervisor: Dr Olivia Rendón
Third Supervisor: Professor Tim Smyth
Fourth Supervisor: Phil Bellamy
Applications are invited for three 3.5 year PhD studentships with the Marine Institute at the University of Plymouth. The studentships are due to start on 1 October 2025.
This project is one of nine topics being considered for an anticipated three studentships. Six topics are inviting candidates from open recruitment, with the remaining three following a different route to interview. The studentships will be allocated to the best combinations of candidate and project as they emerge from the interviews across all topics. Browse all available topics
Plymouth has been at the forefront of global marine research for more than a century, and today it is home to the largest concentration of marine researchers in the UK. Come and join our vibrant community of marine PhD students.

Project description

Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) has demonstrated impacts on biological processes in the sea. Opportunities exist to reduce the ecological harm caused by street lighting using a variety of alternative lighting strategies. This project will provide critical information for reducing natural capital losses caused by existing street lighting infrastructure as it is replaced over the next ten years. The student will undertake an interdisciplinary, holistic studentship involving natural and social sciences in collaboration with Plymouth City Council. The student will develop and deploy skills in social science, community ecology and hydrological modelling to quantify the social and ecological trade-offs of coastal city lighting.
The aim of the project is to quantify the social and ecological trade-offs of alternative street lighting strategies.
Objective 1: Review our current understanding of mitigating the ecological impacts of ALAN.
Objective 2: Model how alternative lighting strategies change natural light regimes in the sea.
Objective 3: Model and quantify how alternative lighting strategies change marine visual ecology.
Objective 4: Quantify public perceptions of alternative lighting strategies.
The student will have access to laboratories and equipment for conducting physical measurements of light and ecological experiments. They will be trained in the collection and interpretation of radiometric light data. The student will have access to the Jisc online survey platform for designing and implementing social science surveys. They will receive guidance in social science techniques, hydrological optics, visual models and ecological experiments. They will become proficient in data handling and analysis in R. The student will be invited to take part in relevant meetings and research of the AquaPLAN and FOCUS projects, as well as being integrated into the Global Ocean

Eligibility

The project would suit candidates with a strong background in the physical, biological or social environmental sciences, and a first or upper second class honours degree in a relevant environmental science discipline is essential. Competitive candidates will hold or be due to qualify for an MSc or Master by Research in a relevant environmental science discipline.
Non-native English speakers must have an IELTS Academic score of 6.5 or above (with no less than 5.5 in any element) or equivalent.
The studentships are supported for 3.5 years and include full home or international tuition fees plus a stipend at the 2025/26 rate (to be confirmed; compare the 2024/25 UKRI rate of £19,237 per annum). The last 6 months of the four-year registration period is a self-funded ‘writing-up’ period. The studentships will only fully fund applicants with relevant qualifications.
If you wish to discuss this project further informally, please contact Dr Thomas Davies .
The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Monday 3 February 2025.
Shortlisted candidates will be informed as soon as possible after the deadline, with interviews likely to take place in the second half of March. We regret that we may not be able to respond to all applications. Applicants who have not received a response within six weeks of the closing date should consider that their application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.