Andrew King

This fully funded PhD studentship at Swansea University offers an exciting opportunity to investigate the behaviour, physiology, and ecology of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in wild chacma baboons (Papio ursinus) at the human–wildlife interface. The project addresses the growing concern of AMR transmission between humans and wildlife, a phenomenon with significant implications for animal and public health as well as ecosystem stability. The research will be conducted as part of a larger programme examining baboon behaviour and physiology across multiple sites in South Africa, leveraging established collaborations with the University of Cape Town and Swansea Research Fellows. The successful candidate will test key hypotheses regarding how baboon behaviour, social relationships, and health status influence AMR exposure and transmission in human-modified landscapes. The project will employ state-of-the-art tracking collars (GPS and accelerometers) to collect high-resolution data on baboon movement, social network dynamics, and space use. Non-invasive sampling of urine and faeces will be used to assess energetic and health status, while faecal and environmental samples will provide microbiology and genomics data. Individual-level factors such as age, sex, and dominance rank will also be considered, offering a comprehensive view of AMR emergence and spread at the human–baboon interface. The supervisory team brings world-leading expertise in behavioural ecology and endocrinology (Dr Imke Fürtbauer), microbial ecology (Dr Xavier Harrison), social behaviour (Professor Andrew King), and animal cognition (Dr Nicky Boogert). The student will benefit from unique training in advanced field and laboratory techniques, cutting-edge analytical approaches, and professional development within a supportive and productive research environment. Fieldwork in South Africa is a key component, providing hands-on experience with wild baboon populations and exposure to international research collaborations. The scholarship covers full tuition fees, an annual stipend at the UKRI rate (£19,237 for 2024/25), a £16,000 Research Training and Support Grant, and a £1,920 fieldwork budget. Applicants must hold, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant science or technology field. Those with a Lower Second Class degree may be considered if they also have a Master’s degree or significant relevant experience. Quantitative experience is essential and can be demonstrated through coursework, research projects, or professional activities. Non-native English speakers must meet the programme’s English language requirements by 1st June prior to the start date. The SWBio DTP is committed to supporting students from diverse backgrounds and can accommodate reasonable project adaptations, flexible working, and part-time study requests. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the listed supervisor to discuss any specific needs or questions about the project. Applications should be submitted online via the Swansea University postgraduate scholarships portal. For further details and to apply, visit the official scholarship webpage. The application deadline is 3 December 2025, with the studentship commencing on 1 September 2026.

[Fully funded studentship with £19,237 stipend per year, plus a £16,000 Research Training and Support Grant (RTSG) and a £1,920 fieldwork budget.] This fully funded PhD studentship at Swansea University offers an exciting opportunity to investigate the behaviour, physiology, and ecology of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in wild baboons. The project addresses the growing concern of AMR transmission at the human–wildlife interface, a critical issue affecting both animal and public health. By focusing on chacma baboons (Papio ursinus) in South Africa, the research aims to unravel how baboon behaviour, social relationships, and health status influence exposure to and transmission of AMR in human-modified landscapes. The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary supervisory team with expertise in behavioural ecology, endocrinology, microbial ecology, social behaviour, and animal cognition. The project will employ state-of-the-art tracking collars (GPS and accelerometers) to collect high-resolution data on baboon movement, social networks, and space use. Non-invasive sampling of urine and faeces will be used to assess energetic and health status, while faecal and environmental samples will provide microbiology and genomics data. The research will also consider individual-level factors such as age, sex, and dominance rank. Fieldwork will be conducted in collaboration with the University of Cape Town and Swansea Research Fellows, providing the student with the opportunity to work on established wild baboon populations. The project is part of a larger research programme and offers unique training in advanced field and laboratory techniques, analytical approaches, and professional development within supportive and productive research groups. The studentship is fully funded, offering a £19,237 annual stipend, a £16,000 Research Training and Support Grant (RTSG), and a £1,920 fieldwork budget. The SWBio DTP is committed to supporting students from diverse backgrounds and can accommodate flexible working and part-time study requests where needed. Applicants should have a strong academic background in biology, ecology, zoology, or a related field, with experience in fieldwork, animal behaviour, microbiology, or genomics considered advantageous. The application deadline is 3 December 2025. For more information and to apply, visit the official Swansea University scholarship page.

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.

This fully-funded PhD studentship investigates the behaviour, physiology, and ecology of antimicrobial resistance in wild baboons. The project is supervised by a multidisciplinary team: Ines Fürtbauer, Xav Harrison, Andrew King, and Neeltje Boogert, affiliated with Swansea University and University of Exeter. The research will explore how antimicrobial resistance develops and spreads in wild primate populations, integrating approaches from animal behaviour, evolutionary biology, microbiology, and conservation science. The studentship is funded by the SWBio Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP), offering a comprehensive package including tuition, stipend, and research costs. The programme is cohort-based, with an integrated taught first year and a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary training. The successful candidate will join a vibrant research community and benefit from support for diverse backgrounds and flexible study arrangements (part-time options for home students). Applicants should have a strong academic background in biological or biomedical sciences, with a first or upper second class honours degree (or equivalent). International applicants must meet English language requirements. The application process is centralised via the SWBio DTP system, requiring registration, completion of guided questions, and submission of academic documents. Previous PhD holders are not eligible. The programme is in-person, based at the host institution, with opportunities for placements and conferences. Key research areas include animal behaviour, antimicrobial resistance, wild baboon ecology, evolutionary biology, and biosciences. The project aims to contribute to understanding the environmental and physiological factors influencing resistance patterns in wildlife, with implications for conservation and public health. Application deadline is Wednesday, 3 December 2025. For more information, visit the project and application links provided or contact the supervisors.

This PhD opportunity focuses on the mechanisms and origins of collective animal behaviour across vertebrate species, including fish, birds, and mammals. Hosted at Swansea University and supervised by a team of experts in animal behaviour, evolutionary ecology, and computational biology, the project aims to uncover general principles underlying collective movement and self-organization in animal groups. The research will utilize interdisciplinary approaches, combining behavioural data, agent-based models, and evolutionary perspectives to address fundamental questions about how and why animals move together. The student will apply the swaRmverse framework to analyze large-scale datasets, identify collective movement events, and use factor analysis to compare movement patterns within and across species. Mechanistic modelling will be employed to explore the rules of interaction and test whether different forms of collective movement arise from shared or divergent interaction rules. The project also investigates evolutionary and ecological drivers using phylogenetic comparative methods, testing adaptive and non-adaptive hypotheses related to collective movement. Training will be provided in state-of-the-art analytical techniques and professional development within a collaborative and supportive research environment. The supervisory team includes Andrew King (lead supervisor, Swansea University), Natalie Cooper (Natural History Museum), William Allen (Swansea University), Ines Fürtbauer (Swansea University), and Marina Papadopoulou (Max Planck Institute for Human Development). The student will benefit from access to a global network of scientists and unique datasets on animal collective movement. Eligibility requires a first or upper second class degree in biological sciences or a related discipline, with consideration for candidates with relevant research experience or strong performance at the Master's level. International students are eligible, as the difference between Home and international fees will be covered. The application deadline is 12 January 2026, and applications should be submitted via the Good Grants portal. This project is ideal for candidates interested in collective behaviour, complex systems, agent-based modelling, and evolutionary ecology, with potential impact on wildlife conservation and bio-inspired technologies.