The climate and biodiversity crisis are the two most pressing societal challenges we currently face. While tropical forests house most of the global biodiversity, insects constitute most of all known terrestrial animals and play crucial roles in ecosystem functioning. This means that understanding the drivers of insect biodiversity is highly relevant to inform conservation policy and management practices.
In this project, you will work with a long-term dataset of dung beetle communities surveyed in Amazonian forests distributed across a gradient of disturbances. Dung beetles are a key focal insect group given their high sensitivity to environmental changes and importance for many ecosystem processes, such as seed dispersal and nutrient cycling. To investigate the recovery of Amazonian forests, you will integrate information on dung beetle community metrics, traits and forest conditions (e.g. undisturbed, logged and/or burned) across time. During the project development, you will develop skills in data integration and ecological modelling to address questions such as (1) How do multiple disturbances affect insect taxonomic and functional diversity? (2) What are the long-term consequences of drought and forest fires for Amazonian biodiversity? and (3) Are species-specific trajectories influenced by their traits?
MSc by Research (MScR) is a 1-year research degree that provides an intensive lab-based training and a preparation for PhD study. You will carry out your studies as part of your research group – like a PhD student does. Towards the end of the year, you write up a thesis on your research and are examined on this. This degree suits students wanting to gain maximum research experience in preparation for PhD applications.
We are keen to recruit a diverse range of students and to ensure our research is open to all. We particularly welcome applications from groups traditionally under-represented in life sciences research. Please check the University webpages for the current tuition fee information. Most MScR projects also require a bench fee. This varies depending on the research and your project supervisor can tell you the bench fee for the project.
Please contact Dr Machado Franca ([Email Address Removed]) directly for information about the project
How to apply:
Use the following link to apply: Start your application | Study at Bristol | University of Bristol
You should apply to the Faculty of Life Sciences, School of Biological Sciences selecting the programme Biological Sciences - MSc by Research.
Please ensure you upload all supporting documents as per the admissions statement (which applies to both PhD and MScR programmes): PhD Biological Sciences | Study at Bristol | University of Bristol
Clearly indicate the supervisor name and project title in the relevant section of the application form.
The system will not allow you to submit your application without uploading a document to the research statement section. Where this is an optional requirement, please upload a blank Word document which is headed “No research statement required”.
Applications are accepted all year round. However, the preferred entry points for study are: September / January / April / July.
Continue with Facebook
