Publisher
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University of Exeter

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PhD Studentship: The emotional basis of behaviour University of Exeter in United Kingdom

Degree Level

PhD

Field of study

Computer Science

Funding

Available

Deadline

Dec 8, 2026

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Country

United Kingdom

University

University of Exeter

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Keywords

Computer Science
Psychology
Biology
Decision Making
Behavioral Ecology
Neuropsychology
Animal Welfare
Artificial Neural Network
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About this position

[Fees plus a stipend of £21,805 per annum for 2026/7.]

PhD Studentship at the University of Exeter: The emotional basis of behaviour

This PhD studentship explores a fundamental question in evolutionary biology and behavioural science: why might evolution favour emotion-based decision-making systems rather than purely rational, stimulus-driven responses? The project investigates the idea that emotions and mood states may function as physiological memory of past experience, helping organisms make adaptive decisions in changing environments.

You will use evolutionary modelling and artificial neural networks to test adaptive emotion-based systems in realistic scenarios such as finding food in dangerous environments or finding mates in competitive environments. The emotional decision-making system will be compared against an unemotional, Bayesian system that computes optimal decisions from current information. The goal is to identify when emotion-like internal state variables are favoured by evolutionary pressures and how they may explain seemingly irrational or maladaptive behaviour.

The project is interdisciplinary and sits at the intersection of biology, psychology, behavioural ecology, and computational modelling. It is especially relevant to students interested in animal behaviour, welfare, decision theory, and the evolution of cognition.

Funding: The studentship provides fees plus a stipend of £21,805 per annum for 2026/7.

Deadline: 8 December 2026.

Institution: University of Exeter, United Kingdom.

Applicants should use the official application link provided by the university funding page and ensure submission before the deadline.

Funding details

Available

How to apply

Apply via the University of Exeter funding page using the application link provided. Submit the required materials before 8 December 2026.

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