Application Deadline: Wednesday, 24 January 2024 at 11:59 PM CET
The Australia-France Network of Doctoral Excellence (AUFRANDE) Program , in the Centre de Droit et D’Economie De la Mer is inviting applications for a PhD project on evaluating interactions between offshore energy and commercial fisheries. Only one of the three research topics will be funded.
- OPTION 1 (An economic approach to strategic assessment of interactions between offshore wind energy and commercial fisheries): The project will develop an economic analysis of the complex interactions between wind energy development at sea and the structure of fishing activities, considering the cumulative impacts of multiple wind farm developments on spatial crowding of fishing areas, the associated changes in economic incentives for fishers, and the resulting changes in fishing activities. It will involve case studies of offshore wind energy developments and their interactions with commercial fishing in France and Australia. Surveys of key stakeholders will be carried out to gain insights into the main adaptive responses likely to be observed from the fishing industry following the implementation of wind energy projects, as well as drivers and constraints likely to influence these responses. Using the increasingly fine-resolution data available regarding the spatial distribution of commercial fishing activities and production as well as data relating to the economic operations of fishing fleets, the research will develop and apply spatial econometric modelling techniques to examine the potential impacts of alternative wind energy development scenarios at multiple scales (from local to regional), and assess cumulative impacts across projects. Results will be used to inform alternative approaches to factoring fishery impacts in the strategic planning of offshore wind development.
- OPTION 2 (An ecological-economic approach to strategic assessment of interactions between offshore wind energy and commercial fisheries): The project will develop an ecological-economic analysis of the complex interactions between wind energy development at sea and the structure of fishing activities, considering the cumulative impacts of multiple wind farm developments on spatial allocation of fishing activities, and the associated changes in the marine populations supporting commercial fishing. It will involve case studies of offshore wind energy developments and their interactions with commercial fishing in France and Australia. Surveys of key stakeholders will be carried out to gain insights into the main adaptive responses likely to be observed from both the fishing industry and fish resources following the implementation of wind energy projects, as well as drivers and constraints likely to influence these responses. Building on existing ecological-economic simulation modelling frameworks developed by the partners and on the data and empirical models available to describe both fish population and fishing fleet dynamics, models will be developed which enable exploring the trade-offs associated with alternative offshore wind development scenarios.
- OPTION 3 (Analyzing the governance dimensions of managing interactions between offshore wind energy and commercial fisheries): The project will explore the governance dimensions associated with the management of the complex interactions between wind energy development at sea and the structure of fishing activities. It will involve case studies of offshore wind energy developments and their interactions with commercial fishing in France and Australia. Surveys of key stakeholders will be carried out to gain insights into the main conflicts likely to arise from the implementation of wind energy projects due to changes in spatial allocation of fishing access and resource availability. The survey will also seek to gain an understanding of the current governance arrangements and stakeholder perceptions on possible evolutions in these arrangements. Building on existing frameworks for the analysis of cross-jurisdictional conflicts, and on the available data regarding fishing activities and resources, the research will consider the extent to which such conflicts can adequately be captured in frameworks for impact assessments of offshore wind developments. The results will be used to inform the design of alternative governance regimes and compensation mechanisms.
The Position is funded by:
- COFUND, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), Horizon Europe, European Union
- Institut Français pour l’Exploitation de la Mer (IFREMER)
- University of Tasmania (UTAS)
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
- Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre
Eligibility
- Not have been awarded a doctoral degree: Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will NOT be considered eligible to apply
- Not have resided in France for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the call’s deadline* (i.e. from 24 January 2021)
- Not be already permanently employed by the research host for the position you are applying to
- Fulfil the requirements to enrol in a doctoral program at both PhD-awarding institutions in France and Australia (as described in each position description)
- Demonstrate English language proficiency.
Application Details
- The application form and declaration that shows that applicant meets the MSCA and mobility criteria, to be completed online
- A scanned copy of a valid photo identification document (national ID, passport, or equivalent)
- A Curriculum Vitae
- A motivation essay
- A scanned copy of official academic transcripts (Master’s or equivalent and Bachelor’s)
- Proof of English proficiency, if English is not the applicant’s first language
- Optional: 1-page overview of Master’s (or equivalent) research project
- The contact details for 2 referees, who will be asked to provide brief statements of recommendation.
