Research Associate in Animal Biomechanics

Location: South Kensington and White City Campus, London

Contract: Full time and fixed term for 12 months (with potential extension)

About the role:

Leaf-cutter ants are the prime herbivore of the Neotropics, single-mandibledly responsible for around 15% of all defoliation. A key component of this industrial foraging effort is the transport of plant matter back to the nest, which occurs along cleared ant “highways”, and involves ant workers of different sizes, carrying loads of different magnitudes, across substrates with variable inclination angles. A result of these variations is presumably a variation of the position of the centre-of-mass, and certainly of the orientation of the weight force vector with respect to the ground plane. The purpose of this project is to investigate if and if so how ants adjust their kinematics across these different scenarios to accommodate these variations efficiently.

To quantify 3D kinematics in ants, you will use a novel and world-wide unique “infinite flat working surface” established in the lab, mounted on a rotatable platform and equipped with multiple high speed cameras. The next step is then to develop a methodology to analyse complex and voluminous 3D data, through the implementation of a dimensional reduction technique that operates directly on pose vectors. The ultimate aim is to identify the systematic changes that occur in response to variations in load and substrate inclination angle.

The Research Associate position is funded through an ERC Starting Grant which aims to unravel the biomechanical determinants of insect herbivore performance and behaviour. You will join the ERC team comprised of Dr David Labonte (PI), and PhD students from different disciplines, working on different aspects of this project at the  Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London. David's multi-disciplinary group addresses biological questions with a quantitative mechanics framework, including how climbing animals can rapidly control the stickiness of the adhesive organs on their feet, how biological ceramics combine strength and toughness, and the biomechanical determinants of plant feeding in insects. More details can be found on the group’s website at evo-biomech.ic.ac.uk.

What you would be doing:

In this role, you will:

• use an existing set-up to characterise the 3D kinematics of ant workers of different sizes, carrying various loads, on substrates with variable inclines;
• implement a novel method based on dimensional reduction, to analyse the resulting 3D data, and compare it across experimental conditions.

You will also have the opportunity to supervise MEng/MSc students. Where desired, experiences in other teaching roles, including lecturing, will be enabled as part of the broad range of career development opportunities that Imperial makes available to its postdoctoral research staff. There are several opportunities to visit laboratories across the world for collaborative work.

What we are looking for:

To be successful in the role, you will be a friendly, motivated, critical and independent candidate with a PhD (or equivalent) in bioengineering, biomechanics, or related fields, and a keen interest in the intersection between mechanics and biology. 

You will ideally have in 3D kinematic characterisation of animal locomotion, biomechanical modelling, and experimental work with insects. You will need to be able to conduct work with live and dead insects, possess excellent organisational skills, the ability to work toward deadlines with minimal supervision, and have strong written and oral communication skills.

You will be engaging, supportive and motivating in all interactions with other researchers and students in the department, and provide mentorship where appropriate. You will also have a strong interest in being part of a collaborative and inclusive research group.

What we can offer you:

• The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to continue science for humanity.
• Grow your career: gain access to Imperial’s sector-leading dedicated career support for researchers as well as opportunities for promotion and progression.
• Access to Imperial’s sector-leading dedicated career support for researchers as well as opportunities for promotion and progression.
• Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 39 days off a year and generous pension schemes)
• Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing.

Further Information

The post is available to start no later than 01 October 2025 on a full-time on a fixed-term contract for 12 months in the first instance, with any extension subject to research funding.

If you require any further details about the role, please contact:

Dr David Labonte at d.labonte@imperial.ac.uk.

Closing date: Midnight on Sunday 13 July 2025

Please note that job descriptions are not exhaustive, and you may be asked to take on additional duties that align with the key responsibilities mentioned above.

If you experience any technical issues while applying online, please don't hesitate to email us at support.jobs@imperial.ac.uk. We're here to help.

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