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Queen's University Belfast

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PhD in Decoding Hive Health Using Honey, eDNA and Tracking to Predict Disease and Reproductive Failure in Honey Bees Queen's University Belfast in Ireland

Degree Level

PhD

Field of study

Computer Science

Funding

Funded PhD position in Northern Ireland, funded by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) as part of a US/Ireland/Northern Ireland tripartite programme. Full-time study for 4 years. The project is part of the SWARM collaboration involving Queen’s University Belfast and Texas A&M University.

Deadline

Sep 30, 2026

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Country

Ireland

University

Queen's University Belfast

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Keywords

Computer Science
Molecular Biology
Ecology
Environmental Science
Biology
Pathogen Detection
Genetic
Statistics
Environmental Dna
ML

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About this position

Queen’s University Belfast is advertising a funded PhD in honey bee health, eDNA, pathogen detection, ecology, genetics, and machine learning. The project, titled Decoding Hive Health: Using Honey, eDNA and Tracking to Predict Disease and Reproductive Failure in Honey Bees, focuses on developing sensitive, non-invasive diagnostics for early detection of colony decline and on understanding how environmental conditions affect queen and drone reproduction.

The research will combine analysis of honey-derived pathogen and environmental DNA with geographical and environmental metadata to identify signatures of disease and colony stress. It will also investigate reproductive behaviour and health using RFID tagging, remote sensing of mating flights, apiary observations, queen and drone rearing, molecular and genetic analyses, colony health assessment, gut microbiota analysis, and engagement with beekeepers.

Supervision is by Professor Nikki Marks, Dr Chris McFarland, and Professor Aaron Maule at Queen’s University Belfast. The project is part of the SWARM collaboration with Texas A&M University and is funded in Northern Ireland by DAERA as part of a US/Ireland/Northern Ireland tripartite programme.

Eligibility highlights: candidates must have a background in basic biological/ecological principles, experience with molecular biology methods, and a clean driving licence. Previous work with bees is beneficial. Only applicants eligible for home-rate fees may apply.

Funding and duration: funded PhD, full-time for 4 years.

Deadline: 30 September 2026.

Funding details

Funded PhD position in Northern Ireland, funded by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) as part of a US/Ireland/Northern Ireland tripartite programme. Full-time study for 4 years. The project is part of the SWARM collaboration involving Queen’s University Belfast and Texas A&M University.

What's required

Applicants should have an understanding of basic biological and ecological principles, experience with molecular biology methods, and previous work with bees is beneficial. A clean driving licence is essential. Only candidates who qualify for fees at the home rate are eligible to apply.

How to apply

Review the project details and confirm you meet the home-fee eligibility requirement. Use the Apply Now option on the Queen’s University Belfast PhD opportunity page to submit your application. Register interest if needed before applying.

More information can be found here

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