Primary Supervisor – Dr. Marius Somville

background

Seabirds are highly mobile organisms that connect distant regions across the world’s oceans and seas. Although they are an important contributor to marine ecosystems, seabirds are also particularly threatened by human activity. To design effective conservation strategies, it is necessary to know how seabirds are linked to marine locations through their movement along marine flight paths. However, there is still a severe lack of understanding of the connectivity patterns of seabird migration paths. What marine sites are most important for the conservation of migratory seabirds? Which populations are most vulnerable to human threats throughout the annual cycle? How do environmental conditions shape migration path connectivity?

Knock

Leveraging the strong expertise of the supervisory team in movement ecology and oceanography, the project will leverage existing large datasets on (1) the movement of migratory seabirds throughout their annual cycle, available via BirdLife’s Seabird Tracking Database (STD) which hosts more than 20,000 individual movement tracks from over 110 species worldwide, and (2) their spatial dynamics and temporal conditions of oceanography and fisheries.

You will address the following objectives, which will be developed and prioritized according to your interests.

• Mapping Threats at Sea: Creating spatially and temporally clear risk maps of anthropogenic threats to seabirds along marine flyways.
• Characterizing site connectivity along global flyways, using a global dataset of important seabird areas (i.e. key biodiversity areas) and data from sexually transmitted diseases.
• Investigating drivers of migration route connectivity: Adapting existing models of bird movement and migration to test hypotheses about the ecological processes shaping observed connectivity patterns.
• Identify the species and groups most vulnerable to human threats throughout their annual cycle.

an exercise

You will be part of a supportive and dynamic research environment at the University of East Anglia and will work with collaborators at BirdLife and PML. You will receive hands-on training in spatial data analysis, while developing conceptual understanding and critical thinking in movement ecology, marine science and conservation. You will build strong interdisciplinary research skills in statistical analysis, data visualization, advanced programming, writing and oral presentation, and receive training to enhance transferable skills and employability.

Person specifications

An enthusiastic individual with excellent communication skills and a keen interest in the marine environment and conservation. Experience in programming is desirable.

Entry requirements

At least a UK BA (Hons) equivalency of 2:1. English language requirements (Faculty of Science equivalent: IELTS 6.5 overall, 6 in each category).

Acceptable first degree: Biology, Environmental Science or related disciplines.

Study method

Full time

Start date

October 1, 2026

Financing information

ARIES Scholarships are governed by UKRITerms and Conditions. Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded scholarship, which covers fees, a maintenance stipend (£20,780 per annum for 2025/26) and a Research Training and Support Grant (RTSG). A limited number of scholarships are available to international applicants, with the difference between ‘national’ and ‘international’ fees waived by the registered university. However, please note that ARIES funding does not cover additional costs associated with moving to and living in the UK, such as visa costs or additional health fees.