Want to do a PhD on killer whales? Start by narrowing your research niche

So, you have finished your undergraduate or master’s in marine science and set your heart on pursuing a PhD working on a charismatic cetacean species. Whether it’s the killer whale, the beluga, or another species at risk, you would like to find a cool research project, study your dream species, and make a difference. The problem? Whale research is a highly competitive field. Everyone wants a piece of the action.

So how do you get to study your dream species? Here’s the number one piece of advice that will help you stand out: Instead of saying you’ll take any opportunity to work on “this species”, narrow your scientific focus to a specific niche. In fact the more specialized your interests, the more likely researchers are to notice and help you get involved in the work you love.

Why a niche matters

It’s tempting to tell a researcher, “I’m passionate about killer whales, and I’ll do anything to study them!” While this shows enthusiasm, it doesn’t help potential supervisors, collaborators, or mentors understand what you bring to the table. Whale research includes many scientific disciplines, and researchers are more likely to “take you seriously” if you can articulate a specific area of interest.

For example:

• Ecology: Do you want to know how whales interact with their environment? You might focus on their diets, migratory patterns, or the impact of climate change.
• Acoustics: Fascinated by how whales communicate? You could study their vocalizations, echolocation, and how noise pollution affects them.
• Threats: Want to investigate human impacts? This could include studying contaminants, boat traffic, or bycatch in fisheries.
• Biochemistry: Interested in what’s going on inside the whales’ bodies? Dive into hormone analyses, or how contaminants affect their health at a molecular level.

Each of these topics requires specific skills, tools, and techniques. By demonstrating that you’ve taken the time to specialize in a niche area, you show potential supervisors that you’re prepared, focused, and serious about contributing to their work.

What if you have no idea which niche is the best for you?

You are not alone, and we have all been there. Unfortunately, many undergraduate and master’s programs push students to remain broad and general in their studies. While this broad foundation is important, if you’re serious about pursuing a PhD, you need to do the exact opposite: you have to narrow your horizon to a tiny area of science that fascinates you. This is not something most academic programs will teach you. You will have to seek these opportunities on your own.

So, how do you figure out what really excites you? You can start by exploring different areas through internships. You can also talk to grad students about their experiences (you can find many of them on campus, or on Instagram/Threads). Additionally, reading the scientific literature can help you see what sparks your curiosity. MARMAM is a great place to start getting news about new whale research, or you can join the Cetal Fauna Facebook group.

You may also want to visit labs in your university to watch how research is done in practice. Altogether, this will give you a clearer sense of what you’re passionate about (and what you are definitely not passionate about). It will help you identify the niche that’s right for you. The more proactive you are in exploring your interests, the better prepared you’ll be to seize your opportunity in whale research. You should start this quest as soon as you decide you might want to pursue a PhD.

What if you don’t have access to a marine mammal lab on your campus?

Your university might not have multiple marine mammal labs, but don’t worry: research is more or less the same once you enter the lab portion of it. For example, preparing a sample for stable isotope analysis is almost the same whether you work on fish muscle vs. whale blubber vs. a piece of plant. So try to explore different types of labs: genetics, biochemistry, physics, ecology, etc.

Many PhDs will require some level of lab work, so why not seek out lab work that genuinely excites you? For example, I absolutely LOVE chemical extractions, but I’ve realized that acoustics data analysis just isn’t for me. While I find bioacoustics fascinating and have massive respect for the talented researchers in that field, I simply can’t wrap my head around it. On the other hand, working with solvents and experimenting in the lab feels more like potion-making to me, and that’s where I thrive. So I pursued a field that allowed me to maximize my passion for chemistry and hands-on lab work.

Build a skill set in your niche

Once you’ve chosen your niche, start developing relevant skills. Researchers are much more likely to respond to you if you come equipped with the tools necessary to contribute to their lab or fieldwork. Here’s how to do that:

• Take relevant courses: If you’re interested in ecology, focus on courses in population biology, feeding tracers, and statistics. If you’re into biochemistry, you might want to take molecular biology, toxicology, and lab-based analytical techniques.
• Learn technical skills: Can you analyze acoustic data? Use R or Python for statistical analysis? The more specialized your skill set, the easier it is to show your potential supervisor that you’re ready to contribute to their research right away. If you wish to learn R, we’ve listed some free resources here.
• Get lab or field experience: Even if it’s not directly related to “your species”, lab or fieldwork experience is highly valued. Employers and supervisors care about how well you can apply scientific methods, handle equipment, and work as part of a team. If you are unsure how to find an internship, we’ve got you covered with this post.

How to write the perfect email to researchers

Now that you have a specific niche, it’s time to reach out to researchers. Avoid sending vague, generic emails to labs or researchers hoping they’ll find a spot for you. Instead, take the following steps:

• Research the researchers: Before contacting anyone, read their recent papers and learn about their current projects. What methods are they using? What species or ecosystems are they focusing on? Tailor your email to show how your interests align with their work.
• Be specific: When reaching out, explain why their research interests you and how your skill set aligns with their lab’s needs. For example: “I have experience in analyzing contaminant levels in marine mammals and am very interested in how pollution impacts killer whale health. I believe my skills in chemical analysis and statistical modeling could contribute to your lab’s ongoing projects.”
• Tell them about your experience: Let them know you’ve thought deeply about this field and are willing to dedicate time and effort. For example, mention any previous projects you’ve worked on and how they have prepared you for further research.

On a side note, I sometimes get emails from motivated students who want to contribute to some of the research we do in our lab. Too often, I read chat GPT copy-pasted generic emails. They are easy to spot, so make sure your email does not look AI-generated or too generic. If you have enjoyed a specific paper written by the researcher you intend to contact, you could mention it, and make the email more personalized.

Don’t be afraid to start in another field

It’s easy to dream big and hope to jump straight into a research project on your dream species, but the reality is that getting into charismatic megafauna research can take time, and luck. Many researchers started working with less “glamorous” species or in related fields (like fisheries or smaller marine mammals). These experiences can still provide critical skills and connections that will help you later in your career.

Consider looking into volunteer work, internships, or positions related to your niche. Even if it’s not focused directly on whales. You can easily transfer your skills, for example, data analysis, lab work, or fieldwork, to apply them to whales in the future.

We hope these tips were useful to you. If you are having issues finding your dream PhD on marine mammals, we have another post that might help you:

I can’t find a PhD on marine mammals. What now?