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A PhD scholarship is available in the School of Biological Sciences (The university of Auckland, New Zealand) for a project on the demography of the leatherjacket, Meuschenia scaber (Teleostei, Monacanthidae). The main goal of this project is to obtain the necessary parameter estimates required for constructing demographic and growth models of this fish species.  Leatherjacket are the subject of a significant coastal bycatch fishery, but little is known concerning their age and growth. Consequently, demographic data are required for the New Zealand Ministry of Primary Industries to meet its strategic priority of ensuring that the use of this fishery resource is sustainable. Maximum age and growth rates will provide important information on the productivity of leatherjacket.  This research provides an excellent opportunity for training in fish biology in general, and in particular the skills necessary to assemble the parameters required for fishery management, i.e. 
variability of length at age, length-weight relationship, natural mortality rate, and proportion mature at length or age. Some diving experience would be useful, as the project will involve a field component. The project will be supervised by Professor Kendall Clements (University of Auckland), and Dr Elizabeth Laman Trip (Massey University, Albany).

The project is supported by the Ministry for Primary Industries and University of Auckland Partnership Postgraduate Scholarship Fund. The Scholarship consists of a tax-free stipend of $25,000 and tuition fees of $6,014 per year.  The Ministry for Primary Industries contribution is half the value of the stipend and half the value of tuition fees.  The School of Biological Sciences is also supporting half the value of the stipend and half the value of tuition fees per year plus the standard student support.  This Scholarship will provide support for up to 36 months of study.  The stipend applies to full-time enrolment only; therefore, the value for part-time students will be pro-rated accordingly.  The Ministry for Primary Industries will provide additional funding for operational costs.

The estimated start date of the project is in Semester 1 2014.  The University of Auckland will administer the funding. Scholarship payments will be arrangedonce the student is confirmed as enrolled in the doctoral programme of the School of Biological Sciences. 
Interested students should contact Prof. Kendall Clements by email
(<mailto:[log in to unmask]>[log in to unmask]) by Friday, December 20 2013. Students with queries about eligibility for the doctoral program should contact Sue Skelly, Manager (Academic
Operations) (<mailto:[log in to unmask]>[log in to unmask]).

Please forward to anyone anyone you know might be interested.



All the best,

Elizabeth

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