1 fully-funded PhD position to study transmission dynamics and disease defences in ants at the University of Bristol, UK
As part of an ERC-funded project (ERC Starting Grant), we are looking for a PhD student to investigate how ant colonies adjust different components of their disease defences (transmission-inhibiting social organisation, collective sanitary actions and personal immunity) in environment with high pathogen pressure. The project will involve a combination of controlled pathogen inoculations, behavioural experiments (automated tracking of individually marked ants), molecular work (physiological assays and immune gene expression analysis), and computational analyses of tracking data (social network analyses and simulations). The project will aim to elucidate whether ants use changes in spatial and social organisation as an active strategy to decrease epidemic risk.
Detailed information can be found in the attached PDF or at https://stroeymeyt-lab.ch/open-positions
If you are interested in joining the team, please send your application by email to nathalie.stroeymeyt@bristol.ac.uk
Your application should consist of a single merged pdf file including:
(i) a full CV and publication list;
(ii) a 1-2 page research statement describing your past research experience, current research interests, and why you are a suitable candidate for this project;
(iii) a short proposal (0.5-1 page) on how you would address the project’s goal;
(iv) the names and contact details of at least two referees;
(v) copies of (or links to) your publications and/or your Master’s thesis (if available).
Evaluation of candidates will begin on February 15th, 2020 and continue until the position is filled.
All enquiries may be sent to nathalie.stroeymeyt@bristol.ac.uk