PhD Studentship - Computational Modelling of Insect Energy Budgets to Determine the Impact of Changing Environmental Conditions

About this project

We invite applications for a fully-funded, full time PhD studentship as part of a multi-disciplinary team on a BBSRC-funded project aiming to understand and predict effects of thermo-nutritional developmental environments upon bee life histories, and the implications for pollination services. The PhD studentship will aim to develop computational models underpinning predictions of how environmental variables affect the life history of two wild bee species - social-nesting bumblebees (Bombus terrestris), and solitary-nesting mason bees (Osmia bicornis).

The successful candidate will have a background in a quantitative or computational scientific discipline (e.g. Informatics, Mathematics, Physics, Engineering). They will apply cutting-edge modelling techniques (e.g. Dynamic Energy Budget modelling) to create and parameterise computational models, combining data gathered by the project team with previous literature. The models will be used to: (i) test hypotheses relating bee life history to changes in practice (e.g. wildflower strips appropriate to conditions); and (ii) augment existing models of bee reproduction and effectiveness as pollinators across conditions, landscapes and climates. The models will be implemented in Python, R or MATLAB.

Contact details

For informal inquiries, contact James.Gilbert@hull.ac.uk.

About the research cluster / about the research environment

The PGR will be based in the School of Natural Sciences at the University of Hull. The University of Hull is in the Times Higher Education's top global 100 for research impact and among the highest climbers in the REF 2022, ranking 55th. The School has multiple research groups focussed on environmental change at the molecular, metabolic, individual, landscape, social and commercial levels.  The co-supervisors are based at the University of Sussex, which is ranked in the top 20 biological sciences departments in the UK (REF 2022) and includes >10 research groups focussed on insect behaviour, conservation, evolution and ecology. The successful candidate will benefit from infrastructure and connections at both universities. Funding

The successful applicant will receive a fee waiver and a maintenance grant / stipend for four years (full-time), which covers the research period of the PhD and weekly teaching commitments, spread over four years. The fee waiver for 23/24 is £4,712 (Home fee) and the maintenance grant is £18,622 per annum. This rises each year in line with the UKRI’s recommended stipend allowance.

Submission of thesis

Submission of your final thesis is expected within three years and three months from the start of your PhD scholarship.

Eligibility and entry requirements

Applicants should have a minimum 2:1 degree in biological, physical, mathematical or computational sciences, ideally with demonstrable interest in mathematical and/or modelling approaches to biological questions. A taught MSc or Masters by Research in computational modelling, applied mathematics or related discipline is advantageous.

For more details on our entry requirements please visit the University of Hull’s postgraduate admissions webpage. This scholarship is available for full-time study.

International applicants

This opportunity comes with a Home fee waiver only, which will not cover the full International fee. You will therefore need to pay the difference between the Home fee and the International fee and will need to provide evidence that you have sufficient funds to cover this as no additional funding is available.

How to apply: Applications are via the University of Hull webpage

Advert information