How do environmental cues affect reproduction?

Summary

The School of Biology invites applications from prospective postgraduate researchers who wish to commence study for a PhD in the academic year 2024/25.

This opportunity is open to candidates who have the means to self fund their studies or who have a sponsor who will cover this cost. We especially welcome applications that connect to the School's core research areas.

One of the ways that insects, and other animals, cope with changing or adverse conditions is by pausing reproduction. We know a lot about how this process works in the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) but our knowledge in other species is almost completely lacking (Knapp et al., 2022). In this project we will use honeybees and bumblebees, which are globally crucial pollinator species, to determine how environmental cues control reproduction. Focusing on these species means this project will have real-world impact, specifically by determining how common chemicals used in agriculture (such as neonicotinoid pesticides) affect control of reproduction in these species.

Aside from their role in pollination, both honeybees and bumble bees have incredibly interesting life-history strategies. They are eusocial, each colony has a single-reproductive female and this division of labour is enforced by pheromones as well as behaviour and colony dynamics. This project will determine if these environmental cues that are unique to eusocial species act through the conserved pathways that control reproduction in response to adverse environmental conditions, informing our understanding of how this unique and interesting life-history strategy evolved.

Applicants to research degree programmes should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline. The criteria for entry for some research degrees may be higher, for example, several faculties, also require a Masters degree. Applicants are advised to check with the relevant School prior to making an application. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the School or Graduate School prior to making an application.

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.