CALL FOR PHD APPLICATIONS-OYSTER-H 3 Project

The OYSTER-H 3 project funded through the African Research Initiative for Scientific Excellence (ARISE)
Programme is offering two scholarships to highly motivated MPhil students to carry out their MPhil
research work at the Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences of the University of Ghana. The
duration of the study and that of the scholarship is two years, however, considerations may be given
to students who are already enrolled in an MPhil programme in the department.

BACKGROUND
Oyster shell chemistry is a powerful tool for reconstructing past changes in their habitat. The δ 18O
and δ 13C composition of their shell can be used to decipher past salinity, temperature, and pH
regimes of their habitat. However, before isotope-based techniques are applied to any archaeological
material, it is necessary to understand how reliably modern representatives of the respective species
record their environment to quantify offsets to generalized isotopic equilibrium. All such research has
focused on temperate oysters and cannot be applied to tropical oysters. This major gap limits the
application C. tulipa sclerochemical research in managing shellfish resources, mitigating climate
change, and broadening our understanding of past and evolving human-environment relationships.
This project will provide understanding into the controls on δ 18O and δ 13C of modern shell carbonate
of the C. tulipa, to quantify offsets to isotopic equilibrium. The OYSTER-H 3 project will calibrate the C.
tulipa for use in paleoenvironmental research.

SCHOALRSHIP PACKAGE
The scholarship package includes tuition fees, monthly stipend allowance and research expenses.

FIELD OF STUDY
Interested candidates MUST be prepared to undertake cutting-edge research in areas of marine
chemistry, biogeochemistry, and ecology.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENT
Prospective or continuing MPhil students must
• Must be a Ghanaian National
• Must have a good first degree in oceanography, fisheries sciences, or chemistry.
• Demonstrate proven research record in the study area
• Have strong background in statistical analysis.
• Knowledge in programming would be considered an asset

APPLICATION DOSSIER
A recent CV
A copy of BSc. certificate
A copy of certified transcript showing all courses completed during the bachelor’s study
A research proposal detailing how the applicant intends to carry out research in the study area
A one-page statement of motivation
Two letters of recommendation
Photocopy of a national identification card
Completed application should be sent to ankrahkailey@gmail.com on or before September 15, 2022.
Applications submitted after this date will not be considered. Females are encouraged to apply.