Job Information
- Organisation/Company
- Swansea University
- Department
- Central
- Research Field
- Biological sciences
- Researcher Profile
- First Stage Researcher (R1)
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Application Deadline
- Type of Contract
- Other
- Job Status
- Full-time
- Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?
- Not funded by an EU programme
- Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?
- No
Offer Description
Funding provider: Swansea University
Subject areas: Animal behaviour, Biologging, Physiology, Endocrinology, Metagenomics
Project start date:
- 1 July 2024 (Enrolment open from mid-June)
- 1 October 2024 (Enrolment open from mid-September)
Project supervisors:
- Dr Ines Fürtbauer (primary supervisor- i.fuertbauer@swansea.ac.uk)
- Dr Tamsyn Uren-Webster
- Dr Andrew King
Aligned programme of study: PhD in Biological Sciences
Mode of study: Full-time
Project description:
Many animals form stable social relationships between specific individuals. These relationships are extremely beneficial but also come with costs. For example, trade-offs exist with respect to stress (social buffering versus social stress) and transmission of health (beneficial gut microbiota) and disease (parasites, viruses) but are little understood because of the challenges of collecting appropriate data in the wild. To understand these trade-offs, this interdisciplinary PhD will use and extend a worldwide unique data set on wild baboon social behaviour and health. Sociality is studied in unprecedented detail, with simultaneous data for 16 individuals. GPS and acceleration data from bespoke tracking collars provide information on behaviour and social interactions/proximity every second over several months. Health information comes from >350 urine and >600 faecal samples collected in the field. These samples are matched to individuals and time periods, affording non-invasive investigation of reproductive state, stress physiology, immune function, energy and metabolic status, parasite load, and microbiome composition. Combining these data on baboon sociality and health therefore provides rare opportunity to investigate how and why social relationships evolve, and their consequences for individuals' health.
Requirements
- Research Field
- Biological sciences
- Education Level
- Bachelor Degree or equivalent
Candidates must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level in Biosciences or a related subject, or a master’s degree with a minimum overall grade at ‘Merit’ (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University). Please note that you may need to provide evidence of your English Language proficiency.
The ideal candidate will have a master's level degree, research interests and expertise in animal behaviour and physiology, and excellent data handling and analysis skills relevant to the project. Applications from candidates with a strong quantitative background but without a first degree in biology are also encouraged. Please get in touch for enquiries or more details.
Due to funding restrictions, this scholarship is open to applicants eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK rate only, as defined by UKCISA regulations.
Additional Information
This scholarship covers the full cost of UK tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £18,622 for 2023/24).
Additional research expenses will also be available.
Candidates must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level in Biosciences or a related subject, or a master’s degree with a minimum overall grade at ‘Merit’ (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University). Please note that you may need to provide evidence of your English Language proficiency.
The ideal candidate will have a master's level degree, research interests and expertise in animal behaviour and physiology, and excellent data handling and analysis skills relevant to the project. Applications from candidates with a strong quantitative background but without a first degree in biology are also encouraged. Please get in touch for enquiries or more details.
Due to funding restrictions, this scholarship is open to applicants eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK rate only, as defined by UKCISA regulations.
Please visit our website for more information.
- Website for additional job details
Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available
- 1
- Company/Institute
- Swansea University
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Geofield
Where to apply
- Website
Contact
- State/Province
- Swansea
- City
- Swansea
- Website
- Street
- Singleton Park
- Postal Code
- SA2 8PP