Designing Microbial Interventions to Study Behavioural Effects in Wild Birds (DAVIDSON_U25DTPR)
Key Details
- Application deadline
- 19/05/2025 (at midnight)
- Location
- Quadram Institute Bioscience
- Funding type
- Directly Funded (Home)
- Start date
- 1st October 2025
- Mode of study
- Full Time
- Programme type
- PhD
Project description
Primary Supervisor - Dr Gabrielle L Davidson
The gut microbiome influences how animals behave and interact with their environment via the microbiome–gut–brain axis (MGBA). There is an urgent need to understand how this operates in wild animals, where cognition and behaviour shape responses to environmental change. This project goes beyond traditional lab systems to explore how natural microbiome variation affects behaviour in wild birds, overcoming the challenge of manipulating the microbiome in non-model species.
Great tits (Parus major) are common garden birds with widespread distributions. Our previous work has shown that their gut microbiota is highly variable, and this variation may influence behaviour. By isolating and characterising host-native microbes, we aim to enable targeted and ecologically valid manipulations of the gut microbiome to understand how microbes benefit wildlife.
Project objectives will be shaped to suit your interests and may include:
1.Culturing gut microbes from an existing bank of faecal samples. Isolates will be whole-genome sequenced to compare strains across habitats, life stages, and species (great tits, blue tits Cyanistes caeruleus).
2.Evaluating the colonisation potential and beneficial properties of host-derived microbes using genomic and microbiological techniques.
3.Testing the microbiome’s role in behaviour through microbial supplementation experiments.
Training:
You will join a dynamic and supportive research environment at UEA, with opportunities to work at the Quadram Institute and train at the NIOO-KNAW avian facility (Netherlands). You will gain interdisciplinary skills in fieldwork, microbiology, molecular biology, bioinformatics, behavioural ecology, statistical analysis, and science communication. Tailored training will support your career development and employability.
Person specification:
Applicants should hold a degree in Biology or a related field. Experience in microbiology, molecular ecology, or analytical methods is desirable.
The Norwich Research Park (NRP) Biosciences Doctoral Training Programme (DTP) is offering fully funded studentships for October 2025 entry. The programme offers postgraduates the opportunity to undertake a 4-year PhD research project whilst enhancing professional development and research skills through a comprehensive training programme. You will join a vibrant community of world-leading researchers. Students with, or expecting to attain, at least an upper second-class honours degree, or equivalent, are invited to apply.
Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed on either the 11th or 12th June 2025.
Visit our website for further information on eligibility and how to apply: https://biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk/
Our partners value diverse and inclusive work environments that are positive and supportive. Students are selected for admission without regard to gender, marital or civil partnership status, disability, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, age or social background.
Funding
This project is awarded with a 4-year Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (NRPDTP) PhD studentship. The studentship includes payment of tuition fees (directly to the University), a stipend to cover living expenses (2025/6 stipend rate: £20,780), and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000pa for each year of the studentship.