Loading...
August 26, 2025

**Job Description**
This PhD project will investigate the evolution of swarming behaviour across Diptera (flies and mosquitoes), a diverse insect order. The candidate will use 3D field recordings and environmental monitoring to understand species-specific swarm behaviour, sensory cue utilization, and the evolution of collective behaviour. The project aims to uncover how insects use sensory information for group coordination, structure behavioural diversity across species, and interpret the evolutionary roles of swarming, such as mate attraction or predator avoidance. Fieldwork will be complemented by lab experiments on model species to test hypotheses about sensory-driven flight behavior under controlled environments.

**Skills & Abilities**
• Strong interest in behaviour, ecology, and evolution
• Experience with field recordings and environmental monitoring
• Ability to deploy and utilize 3D tracking systems
• Skills in collecting and identifying insect specimens
• Proficiency in analysing 3D flight trajectories and biological data
• Ability to conduct lab experiments under controlled conditions
• Expertise in comparative and statistical approaches for data analysis
• Scientific writing and presentation skills

**Qualifications**
Required Degree(s) in:
• Behavioural Ecology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Entomology
• Zoology
• Biomechanics
• Sensory Ecology
• Related biological sciences

Note: We’ve analyzed the actual job post using AI, for more details visit the original job post by clicking on “Apply Now”!

Work Level
Ph.D
Employment Type
Scholarship, See Details
Details
See Details Location Requirement: Campus-based
School / Department / Center / Lab
• Experimental Zoology Group (EZO) • Experimental Zoology chair
Supervisor(s)
Prof. Florian Muijres Dr. Antoine Cribellier
Supervisor Email
See Details
Wageningen University & Research (WUR)
View profile