Promoting Coral Recovery After Bleaching Events (CASE Project with Tropical Marine Centre)

Project code: BOLLATI_ESSEX_ARIES27_CASE

Project Description

Supervisors

Dr Elena Bollati, School of Life Sciences, University of Essex
Dr Philippe Laissue, School of Life Sciences, University of Essex
Dr Nick Aldred, School of Life Sciences, University of Essex
CASE Partner: Nick Bridel, Tropical Marine Centre

Scientific Background

Coral reefs, one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth, support millions of livelihoods worldwide. However, they are the first ecosystem to have crossed their thermal tipping point due to climate change. Even under optimistic warming scenarios, most reefs are projected to experience repeated bleaching events by the end of the century. Bleaching, the loss of symbiotic algae from coral tissue, kills corals in large numbers and rapidly transform reef ecosystems. What many people do not realise, however, is that bleaching is not always a death sentence: under certain circumstances, corals recover and reefs survive. Understanding how recovery works will help us better predict the outcomes of bleaching and develop new strategies to boost future reef resilience.

Research Methodology

Working in the Essex Coral Reef Research Unit aquarium and in collaboration with Tropical Marine Centre (a leading UK company in coral husbandry), you will investigate what makes corals more or less likely to recover after bleaching. You will use advanced, non-invasive imaging methods including light-sheet microscopy and optical coherence tomography to study symbiont dynamics inside coral tissue, developing your own imaging pipeline to track recovery over time. Using optical and chemical microsensors, you will measure how environmental conditions inside coral tissue influence symbiont growth, building an understanding of the external and internal factors that drive recovery. You will apply your findings to design new approaches to boost coral health following bleaching.

Training

You will gain exposure to the commercial marine industry and receive training in coral husbandry from a leading company. You will learn how to design and perform experiments in a research aquarium and work with experts to apply and optimise live imaging methods and microsensor techniques for challenging organisms. You will gain experience analysing complex datasets, including 3D imaging data, and communicating science to academic and non-academic audiences.

Person Specification

We seek a candidate with a passion for marine biology and mechanistic research, with the ability to learn new methods rapidly and an interest in developing new ones. Experience in coral husbandry and/or microscopy is advantageous but not essential, as full training will be provided.

Acceptable first degree subject(s): Any biological sciences degree, other scientific disciplines will be considered.

Key Information

This studentship has been shortlisted for funding under the UKRI NERC DLA funding scheme and will commence on 1 October 2027. The closing date for applications is 23:59 on 16 December 2026.

Successful candidates who meet UKRI s eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded studentship, which covers fees, maintenance stipend ( 21,805 p.a. for 2026/27) and a research training and support grant (RTSG). A limited number of studentships are available for international applicants, with the difference between 'home' and 'international' fees being waived by the registering university. Please note, however, that ARIES funding does not cover additional costs associated with relocation to, and living in, the UK, such as visa costs or the health surcharge.

ARIES postgraduate researchers (PGRs) benefit from bespoke training and ARIES provides 2,500 to every student for access to external training, travel and conferences, on top of all Research Costs associated with the project. Excellent applicants from quantitative disciplines with limited experience in environmental sciences may be considered for an additional 3-month stipend to take advanced-level courses.

ARIES is committed to equality, diversity, widening participation and inclusion in all areas of its operation. We encourage enquiries and applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation and transgender status. Academic qualifications are considered alongside non-academic experience, and our recruitment process considers potential with the same weighting as past experience.

All ARIES studentships may be undertaken on a part-time or full-time basis. International applicants should check whether there are any conditions of visa or immigration permission that preclude part-time study. All advertised project proposals have been developed with consideration of a safe, inclusive and appropriate research and fieldwork environment with respect to protected characteristics. If you have any concerns, please contact us.

For further information, please contact the supervisor. To apply for this Studentship, follow the instructions at the bottom of the page or click the 'apply now' link.

ARIES is required by our funders to collect Equality and Diversity Information from all of our applicants. The information you provide will be used solely for monitoring and statistical purposes; it will remain confidential and will be stored on the UEA SharePoint server. Data will not be shared with those involved in making decisions on the award of Studentships and will have no influence on the success of your application. It will only be shared outside of this group in an anonymised and aggregated form. You will be asked to complete the form by the University to which you apply.