Spatio-temporal drivers of insect biodiversity and conservation

The University of Leeds is seeking postgraduate researchers for a PhD in insect biodiversity and conservation for the 2025/26 academic year. Candidates should be self-funded or have sponsorship. The research focuses on various topics, including insect conservation, ecological data science, and educational approaches to biodiversity. Projects include the BioDAR and DRUID initiatives, exploring insect monitoring and community resilience. Applicants from diverse academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
The School of Biology invites applications from prospective postgraduate researchers who wish to commence study for a PhD in the academic year 2025/26.

This opportunity is open to candidates who have the means to self-fund their studies or who have a sponsor who will cover this cost. We especially welcome applications that connect to our research group’s core interests, which include insect conservation and diversity, aeroecology, radar ecology, ecological data science, pollinator ecology, urban ecology, biological education, or the public understanding of biodiversity research.

We welcome applications from a broad range of potential applicants, whether coming from an ecological background or other disciplines. In particular, we would be interested in applicants with computational or mathematical backgrounds, who might be interested in work on large and complex datasets. We are also developing new research areas in technology-assisted teaching using immersive technologies that might interest applicants with educational backgrounds.

Our current research programme includes several large projects on aspects of insect conservation. The BioDAR Project (https://biodarproject.org/) is an ongoing project that is using weather radars to quantify the spatiotemporal patterns in insect abundance and diversity. There are many potential project questions within this developing research area, including (i) what are the key drivers of community resilience in insect abundance? (ii) how successful are environmental policies in conserving insect communities? and (iii) how best can we visualise and communicate big environmental data to support biodiversity conservation? There may also be an opportunity to investigate parallel trends in birds and bats using these techniques.

The Drivers & Repercussions of UK Insect Declines (DRUID) Project (https://druidproject.org.uk/) is a large, UK Government-funded research project that is bringing together the current best practice in UK insect monitoring and conservation to establish the causes of declines. In DRUID, we have integrated our radar techniques alongside more conventional field sampling and economic/social valuation methods. Potential project ideas include (i) the development and integration of novel insect monitoring methods (bioacoustics, radar, citizen science) into national monitoring; (ii) social and cultural perspectives on insect declines; (iii) enhancement of insect community resilience in urban green/blue spaces.

A third area of work that is emerging within the group is the link between public perceptions and attitudes towards insects, the cultural and educational context within which those attitudes are developed, and the consequences for public and policy support for insect conservation. Potential project ideas in this area could be (i) the role of entomological education in fostering an evidence-based enthusiasm for insect conservation; (ii) the use of technology to enhance entomological education and research; and (iii) the drivers of the development of attitudes to insects (and the wider natural world) in formal and informal educational settings.

Our research group’s work spans a wider range of topics that are linked by an interest in how and why the natural world is changing in response to human activities. Dr Christopher Hassall is an ecologist with an interest in ecology, entomology, evolutionary biology, and science education. Dr Elizabeth Duncan is a developmental biologist who studies the evolution and plasticity of animal development, and also works on pollinator ecology and conservation. Dr Ryan Neely III is a leading expert in the use of lidar to study clouds and aerosols in the atmosphere. His research has made significant contributions to our understanding of the role of clouds and aerosols in the Earth's climate system. Professor Bill Kunin’s research interests include population and community ecology, plant-pollinator interactions, spatial ecology, and conservation biology.

EligibilityApplicants to research degree programmes should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or international equivalent) in an appropriate discipline.

Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence that their English language is sufficient to meet the specific demands of their study. The minimum English language entry requirement for postgraduate research study in the Faculty of Biological Sciences is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid.

How to applyPlease contact Dr Chris Hassall (C.Hassall@leeds.ac.uk,) in the first instance if you have any questions about the project.

To apply for this project applicants should complete an online application form and attach the following documentation to support their application.

a full academic CVdegree certificate and transcripts of marksEvidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (if applicable)Evidence of fundingTo help us identify that you are applying for this project please ensure you provide the following information on your application form;

Select PhD in Biological Sciences as your programme of studyGive the full project title and name the supervisors listed in this advertFor information about the application process please contact the Faculty Admissions Team:

e: fbsgrad@leeds.ac.uk