As the human population expands numerically and
spatially at an unprecedented rate, we come into increasing contact with wild
animal populations that can result in human-wildlife conflicts. These conflicts
represent complex conservation problems requiring an in-depth understanding of
animal space use in human-altered landscapes. Vultures have experienced
population declines in many areas of the world as a result of changing
agricultural and land-use practice. A detailed understanding of the mechanisms
that drive patterns of space-use is required for these birds in order to
understand their exposure to a range of potential threats, from harmful
veterinary drugs to the risk of collisions with turbines. This PhD position
will examine vulture space-use from fine to regional scales, using a
combination of high-resolution movement data and Geographical Information
System-type approaches.
The successful applicant will acquire diverse research skills, including
analysis of accelerometry data, reconstruction of fine-scale flight paths using
high-resolution movement data, use of GIS techniques and custom-made visualisation software. There are
likely to be opportunities for data collection and further development of
custom animal-attached hardware (Daily Diaries). The candidate will benefit
from working within a lively, inter-disciplinary research environment within
Swansea University’s College of Science and the use of a new £1.4 million,
state-of-the art visualisation-suite, which is currently in construction. The
candidate will be supervised by Dr Emily Shepard, who works on the costs and
properties of animal movement paths, Dr Andrew King and Dr Adrian Luckman, who
have expertise in the structure and function of animal societies and geospatial
analysis, respectively.
For further details on this project, please contact Dr Emily Shepard – e.l.c.shepard@swansea.ac.uk
APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS:
A strong undergraduate degree (at least an upper second class honours or
equivalent) in a relevant subject is required. An MSc and/ or relevant experimental/ methodological/ field
experience would be an advantage.
Funding Notes:
The studentship covers UK/ EU tuition fees, plus a stipend of £13,726 p.a. for
three years.
Due to funding restrictions this studentship is available to UK/EU students
only.