Joe Roberts

Harper Adams University is advertising two PhD projects in insect behaviour and sustainable pest management through the BBSRC-funded Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership (MIBTP) , with a start date in October 2027 . The first project, Who chooses the mummy’s microclimate? , asks whether a developing parasitoid wasp can influence where its aphid host moves. It combines behavioural tracking and microclimate experiments to test whether these movements improve parasitoid survival under heat and drought. The second project, Behaviour before abundance , investigates whether changes in aphid behaviour can provide early warning of population growth or decline. This project uses behavioural experiments , feeding measurements , computer vision , and statistical modelling to improve pest forecasting. These PhD opportunities are especially relevant to students interested in insect ecology , biological control , quantitative biology , and sustainable agriculture . The funding package includes UK tuition fees , a tax-free stipend , and interdisciplinary research training through MIBTP. Eligibility: open to UK and Irish students only , subject to applicable residency and funding requirements. Deadline: 23 November 2026. Start date: October 2027. Interested applicants should read the project descriptions and application guidance, then contact Joe Roberts for an informal discussion if desired.