From cognition to conservation: using cognitive and behavioural research to enhance animal reintroductions, PhD (Funded)

About the Project

As cognition shapes animals' responses to changing environments, cognitive research is increasingly recognised as a key component of conservation. This PhD project aims to use behavioural and cognitive principles to enhance reintroduction of Britain's most endangered corvid, the red-billed chough, Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax. Joining the Miller Cognition and Conservation (CCG) Group and working with an interdisciplinary collaborative team of cognitive biologists and conservationists, including the Wildwood Trust in Kent (the coordinators of the chough reintroduction programme in Kent), Paradise Park in Cornwall, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, the project will incorporate controlled experiments, behavioural observations and population monitoring on 100 captive and released choughs in Kent and Cornwall (i.e. zoo and fieldwork settings).

Specific research directions are flexible, but broadly, we aim to (1) quantify individual variation in cognitive abilities likely to impact adaptability and survival (e.g. self-control, innovation, social learning, exploration) and (2) relate this to fitness-relevant measures like body condition, stress responses and reproductive success in captivity and the wild. We will then (3) use findings to (a) establish real-world consequences of cognitive performance on behaviour, survival and reproductive success post-release, (b) inform release decisions, (c) develop targeted pre-release training and d) expand release protocols.

Each objective will be co-developed with the PhD student, with extensive opportunities for you to shape project development according to your interests and the accumulating evidence. This is a 4-year full-time PhD position, funded by the Royal Society under Dr Miller’s Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship. If you have any questions about the project or position, please contact: r.miller7@exeter.ac.uk

PhD requirements

Essential skills and attributes include:

• Minimum of 2.1 BSc or MSc/MRes degree (or nearing completion) in Psychology, Ecology, Conservation, Zoology, Biology or related field
• Animal behaviour and/or cognition experience, using experiments and/or observations
• Experience conducting research or working in captive and/or field animal settings
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills
• Experience of the research process from conception to presentation and/or publication
• Statistical analysis knowledge

Desirable (but trainable) skills include:

• Demonstrated interest and knowledge in conservation
• Experience of research on birds
• Experience of handling/ringing birds
• Zoo experience
• Experience in Open Science practices
• Driving license

The University of Exeter’s Centre for Ecology and Conservation is inviting applications for a PhD studentship funded by The Royal Society to commence on 21 September 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. For eligible students, the studentship will cover UK/Home tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £22,350 for 4 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study. The student would be based in Dr Rachael Miller’s Cognition and Conservation Group in the Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy at the Penryn Campus in Cornwall.

The studentship will be awarded on the basis of academic merit, relevant experience and interests. Students who pay international tuition fees are unfortunately not eligible for this studentship, due to funder budget restrictions. Fee information: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/pg-research/funding/fees/. The conditions for eligibility of UK/Home fees status are complex, and you will need to seek advice if you have moved to or from the UK (or Republic of Ireland) within the past 3 years or have applied for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

The collaboration involves two project partners who are providing access to research birds - Paradise Park, Cornwall, and Wildwood Trust, Kent. This means there are special terms that apply to the project, these will be discussed with Candidates at Interview and fully set out in the offer letter. The collaboration with the named project partners is subject to contract. Please note full details of the project partners’ contribution and involvement with the project is still to be confirmed and may change during the course of contract negotiations. Full details will be confirmed at offer stage.

Funding Notes

UK/ Home tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend of at least £22,350 per year