Biomarkers of senescence in the Seychelles warbler (RICHARDSONU17DTP)

That individuals differ greatly in when, and how quickly, they senesce is clear - why they differ is not. Understanding what causes variation in senescence and, therefore, how this can be mitigated is of medical, veterinary and societal importance. Unfortunately, in most vertebrate animals measuring within-individual senescence, and what factors experienced over a lifetime impact it, is extremely difficult.

The student will use the Seychelles warbler system to test the efficiency of a range of traits that have been suggested to reflect an individual’s intrinsic condition and measure, or predict, within-individual senescence. The ability of these ‘biomarkers’ to determine which environmental factors have most impact on patterns of senescence will then be tested. Previous work in this species has shown that senescence occurs, and that telomere dynamics do, to some extent, reflect biological ageing. However various other potential biomarkers have yet to be tested.

The student will receive excellent general training from the thriving Norwich Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership and also gain an extensive range of technical skills including molecular techniques, next generation sequencing, animal handling and field skills, database manipulation, and statistical analysis. There will be an important fieldwork component on Cousin Island http://www.cousinisland.net

Experience with molecular techniques, fieldwork/bird handling, and a statistical aptitude, are desirable, although full training will be provided.
Supervised by Prof DS Richardson and Dr M Taylor at UEA and part of the Seychelles Warbler Project, a long-term research collaboration run by DS Richardson, Profs J Komdeur, (Groningen) T Burke (Sheffield) and Dr H Dugdale (Leeds) and in conjunction with Nature Seychelles.

This project has been shortlisted for funding by the Norwich Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (NRPDTP). Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed as part of the studentship competition. Candidates will be interviewed on either the 10th, 11th or 12th January 2017.

The Norwich Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (NRPDTP) offers postgraduates the opportunity to undertake a 4 year research project whilst enhancing professional development and research skills through a comprehensive training programme. You will join a vibrant community of world-leading researchers. All NRPDTP students undertake a three month professional internship (PIPS) during their study. The internship offers exciting and invaluable work experience designed to enhance professional development. Full support and advice will be provided by our Professional Internship team. Students with, or expecting to attain, at least an upper second class honours degree, or equivalent, are invited to apply.

For further information and to apply, please visit our website: www.biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk