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Swansea University

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

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Country

United Kingdom

University

Swansea University

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Keywords

Evolutionary Biology
Environmental Science
Biology
Animal Behavior
Computational Biology
Biodiversity
Agent-based Modelling
Invertebrates
Social Behaviour
Phylogenetic Comparative Methods

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

University Name
Country flag

United Kingdom

Research Interests

Biological Anthropology

Behavioral Neuroscience

Animal Behavior

Behavioral Ecology

Biology