Fully funded PhD Studentship - Marine Litter: Can behavioural sciences help
reduce land-based waste entering the oceans?
Director of Studies: Prof Richard Thompson
(R.C.Thompson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:R.C.Thompson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
2nd Supervisor: Dr. Sabine Pahl
(Sabine.Pahl@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:Sabine.Pahl@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Applications are invited for a three-year PhD studentship. The studentship will
start on October 1st 2017.
Project Description
Litter in the marine and coastal environment has emerged as a growing concern
on a global scale. For example, in 2015, the Leaders’ declaration at the G-7
acknowledged that “marine litter, in particular plastic litter, poses a global
challenge, directly affecting marine and coastal life and ecosystems and
potentially also human
health<https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/06/08/g-7-leaders-declaration>.”
Considerable work is being undertaken to understand the quantities and impacts
of litter at sea. This PhD project will take a more holistic solutions focused
approach going ‘upstream’ to better understand the social and systemic factors
that cause litter to accumulate in the environment. These factors may include
perceptions and motivations as well as consumption and waste management
behaviours. Building on this understanding, the studentship will then test
communications and interventions that address these pathways so as to reduce
the quantity of litter entering the environment.
The PhD will draw on theories of risk perception and behaviour change,
integrating social and cognitive psychology approaches with a strong
interdisciplinary perspective, and explore novel ways of communicating,
potentially using social media and apps. You will be working with Professor
Richard Thompson<https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/staff/richard-thompson> (Marine
Biology) and Dr. Sabine Pahl<https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/staff/sabine-pahl>
(Psychology). You will be part of the International Marine Litter
Unit<https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/marine-litter> and the Psychology &
Sustainability
Group<https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/schools/psychology/sustainability>.
We are looking for a highly motivated, hard working person who is both
collaborative and open-minded in their approach. The candidate should have good
quantitative skills and knowledge of relevant social and cognitive research and
a range of research methods as well as a broad understanding of the underlying
causes and environmental consequences of marine litter. The position would suit
a Psychology or other Social Science graduate who wishes to apply their
training to a real-world challenge. Natural Sciences graduates who can
demonstrate an interest in the social dimension and who would be able to pick
up behavioural theories and research skills quickly are also encouraged to
apply.
For further details see:
https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/student-life/your-studies/the-graduate-school/postgraduate-research-studentships/marine-litter-can-behavioural-sciences-help-reduce-land-based-waste-entering-the-oceans
If you wish to discuss this project further informally, please contact
R.C.Thompson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:R.C.Thompson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> or
Sabine.Pahl@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:Sabine.Pahl@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>. However,
applications must be made in accordance with the details shown below.
General information about applying for a research degree at Plymouth University
is available at:
https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/student-life/your-studies/the-graduate-school/applicants-and-enquirers
You can apply via the online application form which can be found at:
https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/study/postgraduate and click ‘Apply’.
Please mark it FAO Mrs Carole Watson and clearly state that you are applying
for a PhD studentship within the School of Biological and Marine
Sciences<https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/schools/school-of-biological-and-marine-sciences>.
For more information on the admissions process contact Mrs C Watson email:
c.watson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:c.watson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> .
The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 24th March 2017.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview on 19th April. We regret
that we may not be able to respond to all applications. Applicants who have
not received an offer of a place by 25th April should consider their
application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.
