Habitat fragmentation is a major source of biodiversity loss in freshwaters, with rivers around the world fragmented by dams and weirs.
These impoundments restrict connectivity, inhibit fish migrations across ecosystem boundaries, modify gene-flow and impact population sustainability. However, schemes to restore river connectivity can be achieved through either the installation of ‘fish-passes’ on the structures or through removal of the structure. There have, however, been few attempts to quantify the conservation and ecological outcomes for non-salmonid migratory fishes of this reconnection, despite these species facing unprecedented European population declines. These species include sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus, a non-homing anadromous species, and European eel Anguilla anguilla, a critically endangered catadromous species.
There are major knowledge gaps in the movement ecology and biology of both species, despite their conservation importance, including how the distributions and movements of their juvenile lifestages in relation to both barriers and barriers that have fish passes installed. In particular, the movement ecology of yellow eels across catchments and across freshwater/estuarine boundaries, and the distribution and population demographics of sea lamprey ammocoetes are poorly understood.
The research completed within this PhD will overcome these knowledge gaps through work completed on the Rivers Severn and Teme, western England. Telemetry infrastructure within the river can be used to track the movements and migrations of both yellow and silver eels, and the application of relevant capture methods will develop novel datasets on juvenile sea lamprey populations. For migrating silver eels, there is the possibility of tracking their emigration from freshwater and through over 300 km of the marine environment.
Please note: the funding for this course includes waive of tuition fees for 36 months, stipend for 36 months, training costs, and research costs.
Key information
Next start date:
21 September 2026
Location:
Talbot Campus, Bournemouth University
Duration:
Expected submission: 36 months Completion: within 48 months
Entry requirements:
BU PhD Studentships are open to UK, EU and international students.
Candidates for a PhD Studentship should demonstrate outstanding qualities and be motivated to complete a PhD in 4 years. They must demonstrate:
• outstanding academic potential as measured normally by either a 1st class honours degree (or equivalent Grade Point Average (GPA) or a Master’s degree with distinction or equivalent
• an IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 minimum (with a minimum 6.0 in each component, or equivalent) for candidates for whom English is not their first language and this must be evidenced at point of application.
In addition:
- Strong candidates are expected to demonstrate strong knowledge and enthusiasm for fish tracking and sampling methods
- Candidates are expected to have some experience of fish sampling in the field, with prior experience of fish telemetry methods being desirable but not essential
- Strong quantitative skills are also essential, including proficiency in R for data analysis.
Deadline for applications: 30 June 2026
Aim and objectives
The PhD aim to is to overcome the substantial knowledge gaps in the movement ecology and biology of sea lampreys and European eels in large lowland rivers where fish passes have been installed on weirs.
Objectives:
1. Measure the in-river movements of yellow eels across the lower Severn basin, including around weirs and fish passes, to understand their movement ecology and the extent of its individual variability;
2. Assess the emigration timings and escapement rates of silver eels from the River Severn and Teme, with an emphasis on tracking their downstream movements in relation to barriers and river flows;
3. Quantify the longitudinal distributions, trophic ecology and demographics of European eel and sea lamprey in the lower River Severn and Teme, including the effects of barriers and fish passes on these.
