PhD Studentship: Sex and Synchrony: The Role of Males and Females in Driving Population Synchrony in Wild Birds

Primary supervisor - Professor Simon Butler 

Abundance synchrony is a common feature of wild populations, with dispersal between sites identified as a key driving process. In birds, synchrony between populations is expected to be more strongly influenced by female dispersal rates as males tend to show higher natal philopatry. Female dispersal can also lead to skewed sex ratios, with females potentially attracted disproportionately to areas with larger numbers of conspecifics. Sites with strong synchrony or male-biased sex ratios are predicted to have a higher risk of local extinction but the association between population synchrony and sex ratio, and their interactive effects on population dynamics, are not known. 

This project will explore the relationship between abundance synchrony and sex ratios and its role in driving local population trends of European birds. It will identify landscape and environmental factors influencing, and demographic rates influenced by, this relationship to help guide the development of conservation actions to reverse ongoing bird population declines. Specifically, the postgraduate researcher will combine analyses of long-term bird ringing data from the European Constant Effort Site (Euro-CES) scheme with metrics of local synchrony, remote-sensed data and targeted fieldwork at UK-CES sites to: 

1) Identify sites with populations showing skewed sex ratios and strong abundance synchrony  

2) Quantify the interactive effects of synchrony and sex ratio on local demographic rates and population dynamics 

3) Determine the influence of local abundance, landscape and environmental characteristics on these relationships  

Training: The successful candidate will receive extensive training in the application of ecological principles and concepts to applied issues; exploration and analysis of large-scale, long-term citizen science datasets; field data collection skills and techniques. You can expect to achieve a high level of competency in statistical modelling, gain a wide range of skills in critical thinking, scientific writing and science communication, and be encouraged to develop independent lines of research alongside the core objectives. 

Person Specification: We seek an enthusiastic individual with a degree in Ecology, Environmental Sciences or a related subject. Experience of undertaking biodiversity surveys, handling large datasets and familiarity with computer packages such as R and GIS will be an advantage.

For further information, please visit www.aries-dtp.ac.uk

Funding Details

Additional Funding Information

ARIES is awaiting confirmation of funding under the BBSRC-NERC DLA award scheme, which is expected shortly. Funding for this studentship is subject to this confirmation and UKRI terms and conditions. Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded ARIES studentship of fees, maintenance stipend (£19,237 p.a. for 2024/25) and research costs.

A limited number of ARIES studentships are available to International applicants. Please note however that ARIES funding does not cover additional costs associated with relocation to, and living in, the UK.

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