A NERC-funded three-year PDRA position in the School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol is available to join Professor Andy Radford’s vibrant research team, investigating pre-emptive behaviour in a landscape of intergroup conflict. This interdisciplinary project brings together two major research fields—social conflict and spatial/movement modelling—to determine how animals act strategically to optimise engagement with conspecific outsiders and maximise the likelihood of success in future contests with these rivals. The study focuses on a habituated wild population of dwarf mongooses in South Africa and will combine analysis of long-term data, movement modelling (with CoI Dr Luca Giuggioli, School of Engineering Maths) and field experiments. Start date: 1st October 2022.
The role-holder will design and run field experiments at the Dwarf Mongoose Research Project (DMRP; https://dwarfmongooseresearch.weebly.com/), analyse the experimental data and long-term data from the DMRP, and conduct movement modelling with existing GPS data. They will also conduct literature reviews, write papers, run school events and be involved in the management of the field team. Several months of the year will be spent in South Africa; the remainder of the time will be in Bristol.
You should apply if
The successful candidate will have a PhD in a relevant subject, a strong interest in social conflict, extensive experience working with wild animals, and a proven track record of designing and implementing experiments and of using mixed-modelling statistical approaches. They will be highly motivated, collaborative and an excellent communicator (especially with respect to writing), and have a demonstrable desire to learn new skills. Experience conducting extended periods of fieldwork, managing long-term databases and of movement-modelling approaches will be viewed as a bonus.
For informal enquiries please contact Professor Andy Radford (Andy.Radford@bristol.ac.uk).
Salary: £34,304 - £38,587 per annum