Summary
This PhD project is aligned with the Horizon Europe AWARE project focused on aquaculture (fish production) as a key element in addressing global future food demand and sustainability challenges. Aquaponics is a type of water system to grow and produce fish and plant foods together. It requires no soil and uses water from fish production to support plant growth, to be more efficient. The interdisciplinary AWARE project hopes to increase the ability to sustainably produce fish for human consumption in every European city, with no impact on natural habitats, no dependence from natural freshwater availability, and not at risk to climate change. The important knowledge gained from this project will be used to change policy and future food production in Europe.
Within the AWARE project, the purpose of this PhD project will be to do human studies to test assess consumer acceptance of fish and vegetables produced in the new aquaponics (water) system. Using a range of research methods, the PhD research objectives will be to:
a)systematically review the global use of aquaponics systems in food production and the impact on consumer choices;
b)obtain ethical approval for the human trial(s);
c)conduct preference assessments on sustainably produced fish and/or vegetables in comparison to more traditional products;
d)conduct behavioural discounting studies with regard to the sustainability, cost, nutritional and quality of sustainably produced fish and/or vegetables;
e)use eye tracking equipment to compare participant gaze behaviour to verbal reports regarding choices between the new food products and more traditional products
The PhD researcher will be given every opportunity for training, by being part of the wider interdisciplinary AWARE project, along with other workshops, specialist skills training courses, and personal development activities organised by the Doctoral College. In addition, the PhD candidate will be expected present their research findings at conferences.
Please note: Applications for more than one PhD studentship are welcome, however if you apply for more than one PhD project within Psychology, your first application on the system will be deemed your first-choice preference and further applications will be ordered based on the sequential time of submission. If you are successfully shortlisted, you will be interviewed only on your first-choice application and ranked accordingly. Those ranked highest will be offered a PhD studentship. In the situation where you are ranked highly and your first-choice project is already allocated to someone who was ranked higher than you, you may be offered your 2nd or 3rd choice project depending on the availability of this project.
Essential criteria
Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.
We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.
In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.
- Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
- A comprehensive and articulate personal statement
- A demonstrable interest in the research area associated with the studentship
- Evidence of academic writing skills (a short sample of academic written work of the applicant’s choosing (Max 3 pages, A4, font 11))
Desirable Criteria
If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.
- Completion of Masters at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster
- Research project completion within taught Masters degree or MRES
Funding and eligibility
The University offers the following levels of support:
Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)
Full award (full-time PhD fees + DfE level of maintenance grant + RTSG for 3 years).
This scholarship will cover full-time PhD tuition fees and provide the recipient with £18,000 (tbc) maintenance grant per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).
This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.
Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.
Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.
Vice-Chancellor’s Research Bursary (VCRB)
Part award (full-time PhD fees + 50% DfE level of maintenance grant + RTSG for 3 years).
This scholarship will cover full-time PhD tuition fees and provide the recipient with £8,000 maintenance grant per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance). This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.
Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.
Vice-Chancellor’s Research Fees Bursary (VCRFB)
Fees only award (PhD fees + RTSG for 3 years).
This scholarship will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance). This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.
Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.
Department for the Economy (DFE)
The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £18,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).
This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.
- Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
- Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
- Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
- Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.
Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living
Recommended reading
[1] Bohnes, Florence Alexia, et al. “Environmental sustainability of future aquaculture production: Analysis of Singaporean and Norwegian policies.” Aquaculture 549 (2022): 737717.
[2] 4 European Market Observatory for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products (EUMOFA), 2021,”Freshwater Aquaculture in the EU
[3] SCAR-Fish, 2020, “evaluation of the freshwater aquaculture research needs in Europe”, https://scar-europe.org/index.php/fish-documents
[4] Holmqvist, K., Nyström, M., Andersson, R., Dewhurst, R., Jarodzka, H., & Van de Weijer, J. (2017). Eye tracking: A comprehensive guide to methods and measures. Oxford University Press.
