Fully
funded PhD opportunity available to quantify animal movement patterns
and behavioural interactions in a changing world. The PhD will involve
integration of new movement modelling and rich empirical data from both
dwarf mongoose groups and individually tagged zebra finches: the data
can be used to parameterise models and improve realism; models can
generate predictions that can be tested with the empirical data. The
student would be based for the first half of the PhD in the School of
Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, UK (hosted by Prof. Andy
Radford) and then in the School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie
University, Australia (hosted by Prof. Simon Griffith); a joint
studentship under a Cotutelle arrangement between the two universities
who fund half each.
A
key part of the project is further development of analytical movement
modelling under the tuition of co-supervisor Prof. Luca Giuggioli
(Engineering Maths, Bristol); candidates should therefore have a strong
track record in mathematical and/or computational skills. Large existing
datasets will then be used to test model predictions; candidates should
therefore have good experience of (or be willing to learn)
sophisticated statistical analysis methods. There will also be the
opportunity for fieldwork in Australia on the long-term zebra finch
population.
Full details are available here: https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/funded-phd-quantifying-animal-movement-patterns-and-behavioural-interactions-in-a-changing-world/?p188221
Application deadline is: 19th April 2026
For any enquiries, please contact Andy Radford (andy.radford@bristol.ac.uk)
