Connectivity-driven Reef Resilience: Fish Community Structure and Functional Redundancy Across Indo-Pacific Seascapes

PGR-P-2578

Key facts

Type of research degree: PhD
Application deadline: Thursday 5 November 2026
Country eligibility: UK only
Funding: Funded
Source of funding: University of Leeds
Supervisors: Professor Maria Beger

<h2 class="heading hide-accessible">Summary</h2>

This project seeks to determine how connectivity between mangroves, seagrass, and coral reefs shapes reef fish community structure, functional redundancy, and productivity across the Indo‑Pacific, and to assess whether these connectivity‑driven patterns are influenced by marine protected area (MPA) presence. In particular, the research will tackle three main objectives; a) determine whether and how proximity to mangrove and seagrass ecosystems affects coral reef fish communities in terms of biomass, productivity, and function; b) quantify fish co-occurrence patterns and community turnover from mangrove, seagrass, and coral reef habitats as a function of benthic structure and unseen taxa; and c) discover whether and how connectivity-driven patterns in biomass and function relate to reef fish community turnover and productivity, and is this influenced by MPAs? The PhD candidate will have an opportunity to work with leading world experts in an interdisciplinary environment, embedded into a Horizon Europe project that not only evaluates many aspects of connectivity, but also works with local communities to implement change based on the research. The successful PhD candidate will work with experts in the field of conservation science, ecology, social science, remote sensing, and quantitative ecology. The University of Leeds-based team leads in conservation science and quantitative ecology.

<h2 class="heading hide-accessible">Full description</h2>

Tropical marine ecosystems are rapidly changing under climate change, driving large-scale shifts in habitat quality, species distributions and marine food-web structure. Coral reefs form the primary habitat of hundreds of economically valuable fish species, with many of those relying on adjacent “green” habitats (seagrass, mangroves). Interconnectivity between adjacent coral, mangroves and seagrass meadows underpins the ontogenetic migration of important fish species from nursery grounds in green habitats to feeding and spawning grounds in coral reef habitat, enabling lifecycle completion across a coastal ecosystem mosaic. Previous studies have examined connectivity and functional redundancy in isolation, without considering adjacent green habitats. This project will address this knowledge gap through comparing fish community assemblage, functional diversity and demographic structure. Selection Process (remove or amend as appropriate) <ul style="list-style-type:circle"> <li style="margin-left:8px">All applications will be considered after the deadline. Only complete applications will be considered.</li> </ul> <ul style="margin-bottom:11px; list-style-type:circle"> <li style="margin-bottom:11px; margin-left:8px">Awards are based on academic merit and no other factors such as financial hardship are taken into account.</li> </ul> Other Conditions <ul style="margin-bottom:11px; list-style-type:circle"> <li style="margin-bottom:11px">Awards must be taken up by 1 December 2026</li> <li style="margin-left:8px">Candidates who have previously been awarded a PhD or are currently registered on a PhD are excluded from applying. Those who were previously studying for a PhD but did not complete may be considered</li> <li style="margin-left:8px">The awards are available for new Postgraduate Researchers undertaking full-time research study leading to the degree of PhD. </li> <li style="margin-left:8px">Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this scholarship.</li> <li style="margin-bottom:11px; margin-left:8px">Please be aware that any expenses related to the relocation of students would be their responsibility and is not covered by this award.</li> </ul>

<h2 class="heading">How to apply</h2>

To apply for this project you will need to make a formal application for research degree study through the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline">University's website</a>. You will need to create a login ID with a username and PIN. <ul style="margin-bottom:11px"> <li style="margin-left:8px">For ‘Application type’ please select ‘Research Degrees – Research Postgraduate’. </li> <li style="margin-left:8px">The admission year for this project is 2026/2027 Academic Year. </li> <li style="margin-left:8px">You will need to select your ‘Planned Course of Study’ from a drop-down menu. For this project, scroll down and select ‘PhD Full-time’. </li> <li style="margin-bottom:11px; margin-left:8px">The project start date for this project is 1 Dec 2026, please use this as your Proposed Start Date of Research. </li> </ul> Please state clearly in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is ‘Connectivity-driven Reef Resilience: Fish Community Structure and Functional Redundancy Across Indo-Pacific Seascapes’ as well as Prof. Maria Beger as your proposed supervisor As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.

<h2 class="heading heading--sm">Entry requirements</h2>

Applicants to research degree programmes should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline. The criteria for entry for some research degrees may be higher, for example, several faculties, also require a Masters degree. Applicants are advised to check with the relevant School prior to making an application. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the School or Graduate School prior to making an application.

<h2 class="heading heading--sm">English language requirements</h2>

The University of Leeds minimum English language entry requirement for postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. If the School/Faculty to which you have applied has a higher English language entry requirement you must meet this higher requirement. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course to be valid.

<h2 class="heading">Funding on offer</h2>

One full scholarship is available in the School of Biology in 2026/27. This scholarship is open to UK applicants and covers UK fees plus a maintenance allowance matching current UKRI rates (£20,870 in 2025/26).

<h2 class="heading">Contact details</h2>

For further information please contact the Admissions team e: HLSPGRadmissions@leeds.ac.uk