We are looking for applicants for a PhD project examining how individuals' rank and role within hierarchical social groups of daffodil cichlid fish (Neolamprologus pulcher) is associated with variation in the social brain. The student will examine functional differences in social brain networks between individuals of different social status, and measure the neurobiological changes seen in individuals who are exposed to dominant and submissive signals, and who change rank and role within social groups.
The project will involve integrative research including behavioural assays, neuroscience and genetics, working with laboratory populations of daffodil cichlids in our custom fish facilities at Liverpool John Moores University. The aim of the project is to understand the neurobiological basis of social hierarchies in this emerging model organism for social behaviour research. The student will receive broad training in transferable scientific skills including experimental design, behavioural measurement, histology and neuroanatomy, gene expression assays, data handling, and statistical analysis.
Prospective students should have a keen interest in and desire to develop their knowledge of animal behaviour, neurobiology, and evolution, with good bachelor's and master's degrees in relevant disciplines, and ideally some experience of statistical analysis with R (or enthusiasm to learn). The student will work in the School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, supervised by Dr. Will Swaney, Dr. Adam Reddon and Dr. Chrysanthi Fergani, with full training provided.
Candidates will be entered into this summer's Liverpool John Moores University VC scholarship scheme and successful students will receive three years funding covering tuition fees, UKRI-standard student stipend (currently £18,622 p.a.) and research support, with a starting date in February 2024. More details, including how to apply, can be found here: https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/neural-correlates-of-social-hierarchies/?p158720, please contact Will Swaney (w.t.swaney@ljmu.ac.uk) with any questions.