Post-Doctoral Research Assistant

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY

Swansea University is a research-led university that has been making a difference since 1920. The University community thrives on exploration and discovery and offers the right balance of excellent teaching and research, matched by an enviable quality of life.

Our stunning waterfront campuses and multicultural community make us a desirable workplace for colleagues from around the world. Our reward and benefits, and ways of working enable those who join us to have enriching careers, matched by an excellent work-life balance.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Collective animal behaviour research investigates how global-level collective behaviours emerge from local interactions among individuals. Early studies of collective animal behaviour depicted individuals as essentially identical units (particles) did not account for potential heterogeneity (i.e. structured networks and social roles) in these systems. With new empirical data quantifying heterogeneity, theoretical models of collective behaviour are being updated and revised, altering our view of how animal collectives form and function. We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher to determine how social structure and social roles modify and improve collective behaviour in real animal groups, with the goal of taking inspiration from nature to engineer better artificial swarm systems.

This is a short-term postdoc working with Dr Andrew King as part of www.SHOALgroup.org based in the Department of Biosciences at Swansea University. SHOALgroup use a question-oriented approach to address a range of issues in ecology and conservation, specialising in the study of animal social behaviour. 

SHOALgroup conduct research on a variety of group-living fish, bird, and mammal systems in the wild and in the lab and use novel technologies and analytical tools to access information about interactions at many spatial-temporal scales. The group is team-oriented and combines over-arching research goals with the educational goals of each member. SHOALgroup strives to maintain the highest standards of ethical welfare and data integrity.

The postdoc will work collaboratively with research teams within and outside of Swansea. Working on behavioural datasets with Dr Ines Fürtbauer’s Behavioural Ecology and Endocrinology Lab (http://ines.fuertbauer.com/), with opportunity to collaborate and visit colleagues in the UK and rest of Europe.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity in all its practices and activities. We aim to establish an inclusive environment and welcome diverse applications from the following protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic and national origin), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation.

As an inclusive and welcoming workplace, we value people for their skills regardless of their background. Applications are welcome in Welsh and will not be treated less favourably than those submitted in English.

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