ACCE DTP Studentship - Understanding the links between animal sexual traits and environmental change

Humans have brought unprecedented changes to environments worldwide. A major priority for conservation is to understand how organisms will respond to environmental change, both in terms of the vulnerability of species to extinction and how populations may evolve when faced with novel pressures.

Species’ traits have long been at the forefront of efforts to understand population responses to environmental change, with existing research focusing on the importance of biogeographic and ecological factors. However, a key outstanding goal is to understand the interactions between environmental change and species’ sexual characteristics. There are good reasons to expect that traits related to mate choice, sexual signalling, and reproduction may affect species’ vulnerability to extinction and/or their evolutionary responses to novel environmental conditions.

 The aim of this PhD is to understand the relationships between animal sexual traits and environmental change, and to shed light on the factors influencing extinction risk and the contemporary evolution of species’ sexual traits.

 The objectives are to:

• assess the importance of sexual traits for determining extinction risk;
• investigate whether and how environmental change is driving the contemporary evolution of sexual traits;
• investigate the consequences of environmental change for the future of animal sexual trait diversity in the Anthropocene.

The project will make use of several large unpublished datasets of avian sexual traits, including high-quality measurements of plumage colouration and song: two traits that act as important sexual signals for mates and rivals in birds. Integrating this with information on population trends, extinction risk and environmental change will generate important global-scale insights into the links between animal sexual traits, extinction threat, contemporary evolution and environmental change.

We welcome applications from candidates with broad interests in ecology, conservation and evolution to tackle this novel and exciting opportunity. Training will be provided in specific analysis techniques and the successful applicant will acquire advanced computational and communication skills that are highly transferable. The supervisors are currently working on research projects that directly complement this studentship, providing an excellent research environment. The student can expect to work closely with all supervisors and their respective collaborators around the world, and there will be ample opportunity for the student to develop specific research questions over the course of the project.

 Start date: 1st October 2023

This PhD project is part of the NERC funded Doctoral Training Partnership “ACCE” (Adapting to the Challenges of a Changing Environment. ACCE is a partnership between the Universities of Sheffield, Liverpool, York, CEH, and NHM, for more information about ACCE and how to apply please visit the website: https://accedtp.ac.uk/

The ACCE DTP is committed to recruiting extraordinary future scientists regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, faith or religious belief, pregnancy or maternity, parental or caring responsibilities or career pathway to date. We understand that a student’s potential can be shown in many ways and we strive to recruit students from all backgrounds, and support them on their scientific journey. 

We have designed our application systems to identify candidates who are likely to be successful in research regardless of what opportunities may have been available to them prior to their application.

How to apply:

All applicants to ACCE must complete the ACCE personal statement proforma. This is instead of a normal personal/supporting statement/cover letter. The proforma is designed to standardise this part of the application to minimise the difference between those who are given support and those who are not. The proforma and more information on the ACCE application process can be found here: https://accedtp.ac.uk/how-to-apply/