Theory of Social Adaptation
Natural selection explains the appearance of design in the living world. But at
what level is this design expected to manifest – gene, individual, society –
and what is its function? Social evolution provides a window on this problem,
by pitting the interests of genes, individuals and societies against each
other.
I invite applications for a PhD studentship in my research group at the School
of Biology, University of St Andrews, UK. I’m looking for a biology graduate
who has a strong interest in social evolution theory, or an economics /
mathematics / philosophy / physics graduate with a strong interest in social
behaviour.
Current research in my lab involves development of general theory – using kin
selection, multilevel selection, game theory and theoretical population
genetics approaches – and application of mathematical and simulation models
that are tailored to the biology of real organisms, from microbes to insects to
humans (seewww.andygardner.org
for more details). To this end, I strongly encourage interactions within the
wider grouping of theoretical and empirical biologists in St Andrews, as well
as with collaborators further afield.
If social evolution really fascinates you, and you are a careful thinker, then
you will flourish in the type of project that I enjoy supervising. Theoretical
projects suit people of either sex, from any background, regardless of physical
abilities.
Some examples of my research:
1. Úbeda F, Ohtsuki H & Gardner A (2014) Ecology drives intragenomic
conflict over menopause. Ecology Letters 17, 165-174.
2. Gardner A, Alpedrinha J & West SA (2012) Haplodiploidy and the evolution
of eusociality: split sex ratios. American Naturalist 179, 240-256.
3. Gardner A & Smiseth PT (2011) Evolution of parental care driven by
mutual reinforcement of parental food provisioning and sibling competition.
Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B 278, 196-203.
For more details, see http://www.findaphd.com/search/ProjectDetails.aspx?PJID=56711
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Dr Andy Gardner
Reader in Biology
University of St Andrews
Dyers Brae
St Andrews KY16 9TH
United Kingdom
Web. www.andygardner.org