Swansea University
11 months ago
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PhD Studentship in Animal Behaviour, Evolutionary Ecology, and Computational Biology: Mechanisms and Origins of Vertebrate Collective Movement Swansea University in United Kingdom
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Evolutionary Biology
Funding
This PhD studentship is fully funded by CROCUS. Funding includes a stipend, tuition fees, and support for training and placements. The student will have access to unique graduate-level courses, workshops, residential events, and professional development opportunities. Details on stipend amount are not specified.
Deadline
Expired
Country
United Kingdom
University
Swansea University
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About this position
The MOVE PhD studentship at Swansea University, fully funded by CROCUS, offers an exciting opportunity to investigate the mechanisms and origins of vertebrate collective movement. This interdisciplinary project focuses on the collective movement of fish schools, bird flocks, and mammal groups, aiming to uncover general principles that explain how and why animals move together. The research will integrate behavioural data, mechanistic models, and evolutionary perspectives to address two major challenges: determining whether collective behaviour dynamics share common mechanisms across species, and integrating functional explanations with emergent properties of collective systems.
The project objectives include applying the swaRmverse framework to study variation in collective movements across species, developing agent-based models to explore interaction rules, and investigating evolutionary and ecological drivers using phylogenetic comparative methods. The findings will advance fundamental theories of social behaviour and evolution, inform wildlife conservation strategies, and inspire bio-inspired swarm technologies.
The supervisory team comprises world-leading experts: Professor Andrew King (animal behaviour, Swansea University), Dr Natalie Cooper (evolutionary ecology, Natural History Museum), Dr William Allen (evolutionary ecology, Swansea University), Dr Ines Fürtbauer (animal behaviour, Swansea University), and Dr Marina Papadopoulou (computational biology, Max Planck Institute for Human Development). The student will benefit from a global network of collaborators and unique training in analytical approaches, professional development, and outreach opportunities.
Applicants should have a degree in biological sciences or related disciplines, strong quantitative skills, and a keen interest in animal behaviour and evolution. The studentship includes a stipend, tuition fees, and support for placements and training. The application deadline is 12 January 2026. For more information, visit the project and CROCUS websites or contact the lead supervisor.
Funding details
This PhD studentship is fully funded by CROCUS. Funding includes a stipend, tuition fees, and support for training and placements. The student will have access to unique graduate-level courses, workshops, residential events, and professional development opportunities. Details on stipend amount are not specified.
What's required
Applicants should hold a degree in biological sciences or a related discipline and have a keen interest in animal behaviour and evolution. Strong quantitative skills and experience with computational or analytical approaches are desirable. The project is suitable for graduates who are motivated to work in interdisciplinary teams and engage with large-scale datasets, modelling, and evolutionary analysis. No specific GPA or language test requirements are mentioned, but standard university entry requirements apply.
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Professors
Professor
United Kingdom
Research Interests
Biological Anthropology
Behavioral Neuroscience
Animal Behavior
Behavioral Ecology
Biology
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.