ERC SEACHANGE Synergy Project

This studentship is part of the European Research Council (ERC) funded Synergy project ‘SEACHANGE: Quantifying the impact of major cultural transitions on marine ecosystem functioning and biodiversity’ (2020-2027).

SEACHANGE aims to quantify the impacts on marine biodiversity and ecosystem functioning across major Holocene cultural transitions using novel and conventional proxies from marine sediment sequences, bivalve mollusc sclerochronologies and archaeological midden remains. 

This studentship will focus on the application of compounds specific isotopes to amino acids extracted from human, terrestrial animal and fish remains from coastal sites in Southern Brazil. The main aim is to evaluate human diet and animal ecology across the region as a result of changes in indigenous Brazilian culture prior to western influence, and as a result of western colonial influence after AD 1500. 

You will develop new approaches to reconstruct past ecologies based on stable isotope analysis of collagen extracted from osseous remains from a range of sites across the study region. Many of the collagen samples are already in-hand and held by the partner organisation in Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) as part of the TRADITION ERC project. You will work within the BioArCh research centre using the isotope facilities with support from the local technical team. There will be opportunities to spend short secondments at the UAB working with Andre Colonese and liaising with stakeholders in Brazil. 

• The award will cover funding for a home tuition fee and a stipend until completion of the SEACHANGE project on the 30/09/2027. The shortfall (3 months) will need to be funded separately.    
• The award pays tuition fees up to the value of the full-time home UKRI rate for PhD degrees. Research Councils UK Indicative Fee Level for 2024/2025 is £4,786
• The award pays full maintenance for all students both home and international students. The UKRI National Minimum Doctoral Stipend for 2024/2025 is £19,237
• The student’s analytical and travel costs will be covered by the SEACHANGE project until the end of the project on 30/09/2027.
• The successful candidate will be expected to join the SEACHANGE team and participate in network events including international travel.