Biological Sciences: Fully Funded PhD Studentship in Comparative Analysis and Modelling of Collective Behaviour in Natural and Artificial Systems (RS762)

Funding providers: EPSRC studentship with a 50% Match funded contribution from ONRG

Subject areas: Interdsipclinary Science, Collective Animal Behaviour, Computational Biology, Comparative Analyses, Swarm Robotics

Project start date: 1 October 2025 (Enrolment open from mid-September)

Supervisors:
Andrew King (Swansea University)
William Allen (Swansea University)
Marina Papadopoulou (Tuscia University, Italy)
Andreagiovanni Reina (University of Konstanz, Germany)
Robert Heathcote (Oxford University)

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Biological Sciences

Mode of study: Full or Part-time study is possible

Project description:
Animal groups exhibit remarkable coordination and problem-solving capabilities, such as schools of fish working together to deter attacks by predators or fire ants creating rafts using their bodies to float over floodwaters. Recent work in behavioural biology emphasises how differences among individuals within groups (e.g., biomechanics, physiology, behaviour, cognition) determine group structure and functioning [1]. Building on these insights, you will compile and standardise datasets of collective movement and collect new data from multiple species of freshwater fish. From these data, you will identify and compare discrete “events” of coordinated movement and use our recently developed “swaRmverse” analysis pipeline [2] to perform inter- and intra-species comparisons of collective movement [3]. Based on these comparisons, you will create agent-based models (ABMs) that define interaction rules based on observed similarities and differences in events [4], with a focus on the specific role of individual differences. Creation of these ABMs will advance our understanding of why evolution selects and maintains individual heterogeneity [1]. You will apply this knowledge to engineered swarm systems. Swarm systems tend to rely on simple and homogeneous interactions used in early ABMs of collective motion [5]. Using the newly developed ABMs, you will create a model catalogue targeted at specific engineering problem domains that researchers in swarm robotics can use for developing more adaptive and efficient swarm systems [6].

Supervisory team:

You will be based at SHOALgroup.org at Swansea University (Singleton Campus) and will make visits to co-supervisors at collaborating institutions. You will receive mentorship and training from all supervisors, in behavioural biology (King, Heathcote), comparative analyses (Allen), agent-based modelling (Papadopoulou) and swarm robotics (Reina), and be an active member of an interdisciplinary research teams addressing fundamental questions in social biology, with strong applied themes. As supervisors, we strive to create an enjoyable, inclusive, and productive team environment. You are encouraged to contact us and speak with previous PhD students about what to expect (e.g. see SHOALgroup alumni).

Cited References:

[1] Jolles, J. W., King, A. J., Killen, S. (2019) Trends Ecol Evol https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2019.11.001

[2] Papadopoulou, M., Garnier, S., King, A. J. (2024) Methods Ecol Evol https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.14460

[3] Papadopoulou, M., et al. (2023) Phil Trans R Soc https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2022.0068

[4] Papadopoulou, M. et al., In: From Animals to Animats 17. SAB 2024.  https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-71533-4_15

[5] Holland, O., Melhuish, C. (1999) Artificial Life https://doi.org/10.1162/106454699568737  

[6] Dorigo, M., et al. (2021) Proceedings of the IEEE https://doi.org/10.1109/JPROC.2021.3072740  

Candidates must hold a UK Bachelor degree with a minimum of Upper Second Class honours in Biosciences or a related subject. Or overseas Bachelor degree deemed equivalent to UK Bachelor (by UK ECCTIS) and achieved a grade equivalent to UK Upper Second Class honours in Biosciences or a related subject

Or a master’s degree with a minimum overall grade at ‘Merit’ (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) – see country specific qualifications

IELTS 6.5 overall (with at least 6.0 in each individual component) or a Swansea recognised equivalent. Details on the Swansea University English Language entry policy can be found here.

ATAS

Please note that the programme requires some applicants to hold ATAS clearance, further details on ATAS scheme eligibility are available on the UK Government website. 

ATAS clearance IS NOT required to be held as part of the scholarship application process, successful award winners (as appropriate) are provided with details as to how to apply for ATAS clearance in tandem with scholarship course offer.

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £19,237 for 2024/25). 

Additional research expenses of up to £1,000 per year will also be available.

Scholarship open to UK and international fee eligible applicants

EPSRC DLA studentships are available to home and international students. Up to 30% of our cohort can comprise international students, once the limit has been reached, we are unable to make offers to international students.   

We are still accepting applications from international applicants.   

International students will not be charged the fee difference between the UK and international rate. Applicants should satisfy the UKRI eligibility requirements.  

To apply, please complete your application online with the following information:

Course choice – please select as per preferred mode of study, either -  

(Full-time) Biological Sciences / PhD / Full-time / 3 Years / October

OR

(Part-time) Biological Sciences / PhD / Part-time / 6 Years / October

In the event you have already applied for the above programme previously, the application system may issue a warning notice and prevent application, in this event, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk where staff will be happy to assist you in submitting your application.

1. Start year– please select 2025
2. Funding (page 8 on the application process)
3. ‘Are you funding your studies yourself?’ – please select No
4. ‘Name of Individual or organisation providing funds for study’ – please enter ‘RS762 - Artificial Systems’

*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award.

One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards.

NOTE: Applicants for PhD/EngD/ProfD/EdD - to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University you are required to complete an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form in addition to your programme application form.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form (online form) 

Please note that completion of the EDI Monitoring Form is mandatory; your application may not progress if this information is not submitted.

As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via email): 

• CV 

• Degree certificates and transcripts (if you are currently studying for a degree, screenshots of your grades to date are sufficient) 

• A cover letter including a ‘Supplementary Personal Statement’ to explain why the position particularly matches your skills and experience and how you choose to develop the project. 

• One reference (academic or previous employer) on headed paper or using the Swansea University reference form. Please note that we are not able to accept references received citing private email accounts, e.g. Hotmail. Referees should cite their employment email address for verification of reference. 

• Evidence of meeting English Language requirement (if applicable). 

• Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable) 

• Confirmation of EDI form submission 

Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact Andrew King - a.j.king@swansea.ac.uk

*External Partner Application Data Sharing – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable.