This fully-funded MPhil project tackles that gap directly. You will help develop, test and validate a toolkit of behavioural and physiological indicators for insect welfare in the lab and field.
What you'll be doing
Working across three model species we will expose individuals to stressors and measure how they respond using behavioural testing and physiological assays. Once validated across species and stressor types, indicators of poor welfare will be tested in the field.
Why this matters
Insect welfare is poorly studied and it is hoped that this MPhil project can validate repeatable and deployable methods that can be adopted by other researchers. You will be working alongside the Royal Entomological Society and the Insect Welfare Research Society, with routes to conference presentations, a proposed Special Issue in Approaches in Entomology, and direct links into the wider insect welfare policy conversation.
You'll gain experience in:
- Experimental design across multiple invertebrate taxa
- Behavioural video analysis using machine-learning tools
- Insect physiology techniques (haemolymph sampling, NMR, biomarker assays)
- Cognitive/affective state testing methodology
- Field ecology and wild population sampling
- Statistical modelling (GLMs, PCA) for multivariate welfare data
Who we're looking for
We welcome applicants with a BSc in biology, zoology, ecology, entomology, animal behaviour or a related discipline, and a genuine curiosity about animal minds and welfare science. Experience with insect husbandry, behavioural coding, or basic physiology techniques is an advantage but not essential as full training will be provided. Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 in a relevant undergraduate degree (an MSc is desirable but not required).
How to Apply
If you have any questions, please contact Prof. Carl Soulsbury (csoulsbury@lincoln.ac.uk) informally to discuss the project. To apply, please submit a CV and a covering letter outlining your research interests and suitability for the project to csoulsbury@lincoln.ac.uk. The deadline for applications is 2nd August and we hope to have interviews completed by 12th August.
Funding
This studentship is fully funded by the Wild Animal Initiative and covers an MPhil stipend (£20,780/year) and UK (Home) tuition fees (£5,106/year) for 2 years.
