PhD Studentship: Developing and Applying Camera Monitoring Tools for Inshore Fish Assemblages

Overview

The Marine Sciences department at the University of Plymouth is offering a four-year PhD studentship on developing and applying camera monitoring tools for inshore fish assemblages, starting on 1 January 2027. The project develops and deploys underwater camera systems to reveal how inshore fish use habitats and to advance future monitoring. Shallow inshore areas are important habitats and nursery areas that underpin fisheries productivity and the viability of threatened populations. Tools to monitor fish there support nature conservation, habitat restoration and sustainable fishing, but fisheries-dependent data are often unavailable and many traditional methods are too resource-intensive or unsuitable for the delicate habitats used by juvenile fish.

Focusing on selected habitat mosaics within the National Marine Park and protected areas in Plymouth Sound, and building on camera developments from the FinVision project, the student will set up a network of video cameras to study fine-scale habitat use over long periods in relation to key environmental drivers. The network will also be a testbed for automated AI-based video processing workflows. As a collaboration between the University of Plymouth and Natural England, the project is a platform for turning research into policy and management practice, with training in coastal fish sampling, scientific diving, digital technologies and computer vision. It suits people interested in fisheries and conservation ecology who enjoy developing novel technology and AI approaches. The supervisory team is led by Ben Ciotti with Oliver Tills, Adam Waugh, Fabio Favoretto and Ziad Ibbini.

Who can apply

Applicants should have a first or upper second class honours degree in an appropriate subject or a relevant Master's qualification. Those whose first language is not English need an IELTS Academic score of 6.5, with no component below 5.5, or equivalent. The studentship fully funds only applicants eligible for Home fees; others must cover the difference between Home and International fees, and no extra funding covers the immigration health surcharge, visa costs or flights.

What you get

The studentship lasts four years and includes full Home tuition fees plus a stipend of £19,830 per annum at the 2026/27 rate.

Key dates

The closing date is 29 October 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in the week commencing 9 November 2026.