PhD OPPORTUNITY
From Cells to People: Modelling Collective Behaviour
& Hierarchical Systems
Closing date: 26th April 2014
This
PhD studentship aims to identify unifying principles that describe essential
aspects of emergent collective behaviour and hierarchical systems across
different spatiotemporal scales. The PhD studentship will be based in Swansea
University's College of Engineering (supervised by Dr Rowan Brown: http://www.swansea.ac.uk/staff/academic/engineering/brownrowan/) and
College of Science (Dr Andrew King: www.SHOALgroup.org).
The
student will make use of research and training facilities in both Colleges,
including the new £1.35 million Swansea Lab for Animal Movement (SLAM) which
incorporates an electronic wall and computer cluster for high-speed processing
and visualisation of data.
The student will start by analysing and making sense of experimental or
observational data from one or more of the following systems on which the
research team works: mammalian cells/tissues, insects, fish, birds, primates,
and humans. The student will then measure, track and mathematically describe
the movement and behaviour of individuals within these collectives. This will,
in turn, allow spatial and temporal correlations to be deduced, i.e.
identification of localised dynamics (leader-follower, wave-fronts), providing
a basis to further correlate individual dynamics, and biological function to
emergent macroscale phenomena such as concerted motion.
There will also be opportunity for the student to conduct biological
experiments in one or more of the systems with which the supervisors work, and
visit other laboratories and institutions with whom the supervisors
collaborate.
Academic Requirements:
- 2.1 honours degree minimum in
mathematics, physics, engineering, computer science or theoretical
biology.
- Experience in using programming
languages such as MATLAB, FORTRAN and C
Candidates should show an enthusiasm for
attacking a variety of fundamental biological and evolutionary research
questions. Training in biology is not essential and biologists wishing to apply
must demonstrate exceptional quantitative and analytical skills.
Residential Requirements:
This studentship is open to UK/EU
students.
Funding:
The studentship covers the full cost of
UK/EU tuition fees, plus a stipend of £13,863 p.a. for three years.
To apply:
Dr Andrew King
+44(0)1792 606991