We are looking for a highly motivated PhD student to participate in our project on nest building behaviour in social insects, at the University of Roehampton, London, UK. This is a fully funded PhD opportunity for UK
or EU nationals who have or will achieve a Master’s degree by the 1st October 2019. The successful applicant will join the Centre for Research in Ecology Evolution and Behaviour of the University of Roehampton (London, UK)
and will receive a stipend of £16,777 per year, for three years. The tuition fees of £4,260 per year will be covered by the University. Research funds (£14,400) will also be provided to support the direct research costs of the
PhD (research travel costs, computer, consumables etc.)
Project description:
Nest building by social insects is one of the most classical examples of self-organisation phenomena in living systems, and has contributed to the evolutionary success of ants and termites. Surprisingly, still very little is known about the mechanisms underlying the construction of these structures and about their morphological and functional properties. Our laboratory aims at addressing these questions by using a variety of techniques, from behavioural experiments with ants and termites, to micro-CT imaging, 3D image analysis, mathematical and computational modelling.
Project description:
Nest building by social insects is one of the most classical examples of self-organisation phenomena in living systems, and has contributed to the evolutionary success of ants and termites. Surprisingly, still very little is known about the mechanisms underlying the construction of these structures and about their morphological and functional properties. Our laboratory aims at addressing these questions by using a variety of techniques, from behavioural experiments with ants and termites, to micro-CT imaging, 3D image analysis, mathematical and computational modelling.
Requirements:
Successful candidates will have a Masters degree or equivalent in biology / computer science or a related field. Candidates with strong interest (ideally with prior experience) in agent-based modelling and/or programming are highly desirable, though not essential. The ideal candidate will have good oral and written communication skills in English.
Deadline for applications is 10th July 2019, for a start date of the PhD on the 1st October 2019.
For further information, please contact Dr Andrea Perna, email: andrea.perna@roehampton.ac.uk. Applications should include a cover letter describing the motivation, previous research activities and current research interests, a reference letter and a CV (in English).