Nigel Groome Studentship: Behavioral ecology of nesting in penguins

Ecological analyses tend to be carried out either as a time series or as spatial analyses, but rarely both. This focus on either space or time, misses out on how their combined effects can influence the dynamics of the entire system. Using 15 years of time lapse camera, high resolution 3D models of colonies and field investigations, this project aims to investigate if nesting behaviour is a key indicator of reproductive success in penguins.

Male penguins construct the nests prior to female arrival. Variation in nest construction is likely influenced by nest material availability and the capacity of males to acquire and protect the material (e.g. rock stealing).

This project will look to:

1. understand how variation in nest construction and their spatial arrangement reflects male quality and ultimately mating and offspring success and
2. determine the nesting behaviour response to dynamic and concerning shifts in polar environmental conditions, giving insights into population stability.  

We need a proactive PhD student for a challenging and rewarding study that will equip the student with good skills in modern conservation ecology for either academia or industry. This project will suit someone from a behaviour, ecological and/or mathematical/computing background who is prepared to get muddy, enjoys problem-solving and has an aptitude for applying technical and computational skills.

If you are interested but unsure, please contact us – we acknowledge that no one candidate has all the skills we need and we will put in place a training plan depending on the existing skill set of the successful candidate. You will join a growing polar ecology/behavioural ecology group at Oxford Brookes University.

The studentship requires you to undertake the equivalent of up to 6 hrs of teaching per week on average, during semester time, and to include preparation and marking (no more than 20 hrs per week), and to participate in a teaching skills course without further remuneration.