Space use in pelagic seabirds

Pelagic seabirds are amongst the greatest long-distance navigators on earth, they harvest sparsely distributed oceanic resources on huge scale, bringing them into potential conflict with human fisheries and other forms of ocean industrialisation. They are also one of the fastest declining groups of birds on earth.

At OxNav, in the Department of Biology at the University of Oxford, we focus on the Manx shearwater (and related species) as our model system for studying a broad range of challenging questions from elucidating the cognitive mechanisms underpinning oceanic navigation, optimal foraging tactics and diet, life-history decisions during breeding and their carry-over effects around the annual cycle, migratory behaviour, social behaviour, and the potential threats posed by fisheries by-catch, climate change, and off-shore wind development. We specialise in the deployment, development, and analytics of miniature bird-borne biotelemetry systems to study natural behaviour in the wild, and we work in a range of often remote seabird colonies from the Faroes to the Mediterranean islands.

We are always looking for talented students to join the Oxnav team, part of the broader Behaviour and Biomechanics section of the department, and are happy to discuss a range of potential DPhil project opportunities with interested applicants who have shown a level of promise in their first degree and/or Masters in Biology or a related relevant subject. Students with fieldwork interests and good analytical skills would be especially suited to our pelagic seabird research. Whilst there are a very small number of scholarship funding opportunities available directly through the Department of Biology, competitive applicants will be encouraged to apply for other funding opportunities and scholarships available through the University of Oxford, such as the doctoral training schemes. Visit oxnav.org for further information on our work and recent publications.

This project is part of the Behaviour & Biomechanics theme in the Department of Biology.

Funding

This project is part of the DPhil in Biology programme, and is not a funded course at the University of Oxford; as such, students are expected to explore options for funding. However, we anticipate being able to offer around 6 full graduate scholarships to incoming DPhil Students in 2025-26.

You will be automatically considered for several Oxford scholarships, which cover fees and stipend, if you fulfil the eligibility criteria and submit your graduate application by 8 January 2025. Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement and potential to excel as a DPhil student. 

For further details about searching for funding as a graduate student visit the graduate study information on our website.

Eligibility

For full entry requirements and eligibility information, please see the main admissions page.

How to apply

The deadline for applications for 2025-2026 entry is midday 8 January 2025. We will continue to accept applications submitted after 8 January 2025, but these late applications will not be considered for scholarship funding.

You can find the admissions portal and further information about eligibility and the DPhil in Biology Programme at the University’s graduate admissions page.

Please quote the Project Reference Code in the ‘Proposed field and title of research project, if applicable’ field in the application form.

Project code: TG-01-2024

Institution Website: https://www.biology.ox.ac.uk/graduate-study