Project Description:
The UK seabed supports vital functions such as renewable energy production, carbon storage and fisheries, which must be sustainably managed to protect
the health of the sea. This project seeks to understand the impact of seabed trawling and the potential release trace metals from sediment plumes created by
trawl nets.
You will join the NERC-funded project, SeaSTORE, in which an academic team from the University Leeds will be exploring the impacts of bottom trawling on
seabed carbon storage with a team of UK marine scientists in the Irish Sea. You will experience a real 3.5 week-long marine scientific research expedition
aboard the Royal Research Ship Discovery from July 22-Aug 15th 2026, which includes ship-board sampling and chemical analyses.
Your project will join a existing research expedition on the the RRS Discovery, which plans to track behind commercial trawling partner vessels in the Irish Sea
and to collect seawater from near bottom depths for shipboard sampling and analyses. As a REP Student you will lead on the filtration and sampling of
seawater for the detection of trace metals from this unique disturbance experiment. You will also join the Leeds-team in conducting a wider range of seabed
sampling and shipboard analytical methods of the study area.
You will gain valuable seagoing fieldwork experience, where you will learn essential sediment coring and seawater analytical techniques.
You will develop the strong team working and communication skills required for safe and successful field-based research.
You will benefit from state-of-the art national marine facilities and equipment, and
You will work with scientists at all career stages, including many PhD students, from a wide range of Higher Education Institutions and UK Government bodies.
Pre-requisites:
N/A
Supervisory Team:
Will Homoky
Contact:
Will Homoky: [email protected]