FULLY FUNDED MSc BY RESEARCH: 3 PROJECTS AVAILABLE

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Three fully-funded MSc by research studentships are available in the School of Biological Sciences at

the University of Bristol, to start in September 2024. The studentship will cover a stipend of £18,622

plus home studentship fees.

 

Project details are as given below; any further questions can be directed

to Dr Chris Clements for projects 1 and 2 (c.clements@bristol.ac.uk), Dr Lucy Alford for project 3

(lucy.alford@bristol.ac.uk) or Professor Richard Wall for any of the projects

(richard.wall@bristol.ac.uk). Applications should be submitted via the University of Bristol

postgraduate application portal.

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https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/start-application/

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Successful applicants will have at least a 2.i honours degree in Biology or related subject by the start

of the MSc and must be UK-based. Please state on your application which of the projects you are

applying for. The closing date for applications is the 1st March 2024, but this will be extended should

the positions not be filled.

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PR1. Modelling non-target impacts on insect decomposer species at a landscape level.

Supervisors : Dr Chris Clements & Prof Richard Wall

A spatial simulation model of the community of invertebrates that colonise and decompose livestock

dung will be built in the R statistical package. The model will be used to explore non-target impacts

of the antiparasitic anthelmintics administered to livestock on important insect decomposer species.

The model will be parameterised using Information on excretion profiles of parasiticides, lethal and

sublethal susceptibility to faecal residues and attractivity of contaminated pats, obtained from the

published literature. Effects on populations will be estimated using data on the frequency and timing

of parasiticides used, proportion of animals treated and excretion profiles of residues, while

accounting for impacts on insect generations over time. The model will provide a more

comprehensive understanding of the landscape-scale risks to invertebrate decomposer communities

associated with current patterns of livestock parasiticide use in the UK.

Ideal candidate: will have strong interests in coding and modelling (preferably in R but other

languages acceptable), and ideally mathematics to A level, as well as an interest in community

and/or population ecology. They will be independent and happy to self-teach aspects of coding and

modelling through online courses and papers/published texts.

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PR2: The environmental benefits of targeted selective treatment of cattle.

Supervisors : Dr Chris Clements & Prof Richard Wall

Strategies which use antiparasitic medicines against the livestock in a population most at need

(Targeted Selective Treatment), are increasingly advocated as a means of reducing the amount of

antiparasitic chemical used, with concomitant environmental benefits, while minimising selection for

resistance. A field study will be undertaken with three groups of farms, one applying a conventional

treatment strategy to beef cattle at spring turnout, one applying no treatments and the other

applying a TST approach where the impacts on dung-colonising invertebrates will be assessed.

Faecal egg counts will be used to assess parasite burdens and help direct treatments in the TSTgroup. Beetle and fly populations will be assessed on each farm using baited pit-fall traps and pat

searching techniques.

Ideal candidate: Will have a strong interest in field ecology and the outdoors, be independent in their

approaches to problems solving, and some experience carrying out ecological experiments. They will

also need good interpersonal skills and some familiarity with farming systems. A full driving licence is

also essential.

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PR3: Impacts of a changing climate on livestock ectoparasites

Supervisors : Dr Lucy Alford & Prof Richard Wall

Arthropod parasites that live on the external bodies of their living hosts are known as ectoparasites

(e.g. mites, lice, ticks and blowfly larvae). Infestation can result in compromised animal health and

welfare, and for livestock, reduced economic value. As ectothermic organisms, these arthropod pests

have limited ability to regulate their body temperature above and below ambient, with

environmental temperature consequently impacting all aspects of their biology. For this reason,

climate change will have profound implications for these economically important parasites,

infestation rates, and ultimately livestock health. A better understanding of the impacts of cold and

heat shock events on a range of ectoparasites will enable a better understanding of the likely impacts

of climate change on populations of these arthropods. This project will consider the resilience of

model ectoparasite species in the laboratory using controlled environment microcosms.

Ideal candidate: will have a strong interest in invertebrate thermal physiology, entomology and/or

parasitology within the wider context of climate change and pest outbreaks.