Unravelling climate pressures on fish life histories in the world’s hottest sea through a novel proteomic and isotopic approach

Fish life histories can change in response to global warming. Climate-driven alterations in life history traits, such as size, growth, and reproduction, could profoundly impact ecological risk assessment and ecosystem-based fisheries management.

This project will utilise cutting-edge proteomics methods and the world’s hottest sea, as a living laboratory for climate change. It aims to shed light on the effects of ocean warming on fish life histories, contributing to the sustainable management of fisheries, food security, and biodiversity conservation in a rapidly changing world. It aligns with the University of Manchester’s mission to advance the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and directly address SDG#2 (Zero Hunger), SDG#13 (Climate Action), and SDG#14 (Life Below Water).

The project will employ specimens of three tropical ray species (Elasmobranch: Batoidea); the longtail butterfly ray, Gymnura poecilura, the cowtail ray, Pastinachus sephen, and the sandwich whipray, Brevitrygon manjajiae, acquired as bycatch. Of the many species of fish whose life histories are known to change across temperature gradients, few are at greater risk than sharks and rays, the second most threatened vertebrate group. However, little is known at the molecular and tissue level about the functional effects of these changes for longer term life-history studies.

The study system will be coastal waters of the Persian Gulf and its adjacent Gulf of Oman at the NW Indian Ocean. The long-term (e.g., 2003-2021) mean difference in sea surface temperatures (SSTs) between the Persian Gulf, the world’s hottest sea with summer SSTs >37°C, and the Gulf of Oman is ~5°C. It is much higher than the differences most pessimistically predicted for tropical seas around the world between now and 2100. This natural laboratory for ocean warming allows comparison between species and regions to shed light on climate pressures on fish life histories.

This project will employ cutting-edge methods in imaging proteomics to spatially map age-related proteomic biomarkers across the skeletal tissues of these rays, together with spatially-mapped isotope signals to link to seasonal changes in temperature, and other dietary components. Ultimately the project would aim to develop biomarkers for investigating climate-driven alterations in elasmobranch life history traits. The approaches that will be developed during this PhD can be scale up for bony fishes (Osteichthyes) in the future providing an invaluable scientific tool to develop climate-adaptive stock assessment and ecological risk assessment models for managing fish populations in our rapidly changing world.

Entry requirements

Applicants must have obtained or be about to obtain a First or Upper Second-class UK honours degree, in an appropriate area of science, engineering or technology. Funding for this PhD is only open to UK candidates. You must be able to start the PhD by July 2025 at the latest.

Before you apply

We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisor(s) for this project before you apply. Please include details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience and include a paragraph about your motivation to study this PhD project. 

Funding

At The University of Manchester, we offer a range of scholarships, studentships and awards at university, faculty and department level, to support both UK and overseas postgraduate researchers.

For more information, visit our funding page or search our funding database for specific scholarships, studentships and awards you may be eligible for.

Please contact the supervisor to discuss funding options.

How to apply

You will need to submit an online application through our website here: https://uom.link/pgr-apply-2425

When you apply, you will be asked to upload the following supporting documents: 

•  Final Transcript and certificates of all awarded university level qualifications

•  Interim Transcript of any university level qualifications in progress

•  CV

•  You will be asked to supply contact details for two referees on the application form (please make sure that the contact email you provide is an official university/ work email address as we may need to verify the reference)

•  Supporting statement: A one or two page statement outlining your motivation to pursue postgraduate research and why you want to undertake postgraduate research at Manchester, any relevant research or work experience, the key findings of your previous research experience, and techniques and skills you’ve developed. (This is mandatory for all applicants and the application will be put on hold without it.

•  English Language certificate (if applicable). If you require an English qualification to study in the UK, you can apply now and send this in at a later date. 

Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities. We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact. We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.

We also support applications from those returning from a career break or other roles. We consider offering flexible study arrangements (including part-time: 50%, 60% or 80%, depending on the project/funder).