PhD project on Human life-history evolution

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erikpostma
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PhD project on Human life-history evolution

Post by erikpostma »

Life, love and death in a changing world: Human life-history evolution in action?
  • Location: Centre for Ecology and Conservation, Penryn Campus, University of Exeter, Cornwall, UK
  • Supervisors: Erik Postma, Sinead English, Mhairi Gibson, Thomas Currie
  • Application deadline: January 10 2022
  • More info: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/funding/award/?id=4236
Project background
In a world that is changing at an unprecedented rate, understanding how environmental change shapes the dynamics of populations is key. Analyses of long-term data on birds and (non-human) mammals have shown that
evolution can act on relatively short timescales, and that understanding the origin and maintenance of biological diversity ultimately requires an evolutionary (genetic) approach. This contrasts starkly with the state of
research regarding our own species, where the role of genetic variation, selection and evolution in shaping individual life-histories is poorly understood, and often dismissed a priori.

This project applies analytical tools from evolutionary biology, statistics, and quantitative genetics to a unique genealogical dataset from central Europe, spanning four centuries and detailing the lives of tens of thousands of people. Analyses of individual-based pedigree, life-history and fitness data allows you to:
  1. Quantify the relative importance of genes, environment, and culture in shaping life-histories.
  2. Measure the strength and shape of selection on key life-history traits during modern history.
  3. Infer how human life-histories have evolved over the course of modern history, and how these evolutionary trajectories have been shaped by societal change.
About the NERC GW4+ Doctoral Training Program

This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding from the NERC Great Western Four+ Doctoral Training Partnership (GW4+ DTP). The GW4+ DTP consists of the Great Western Four alliance of the University of Bath, University of Bristol, Cardiff University and the University of Exeter plus five Research Organisation partners: British Antarctic Survey, British Geological Survey, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, the Natural History Museum and Plymouth Marine Laboratory. The partnership aims to provide a broad training in earth and environmental sciences, designed to train tomorrow's leaders in earth and environmental science. For further details about the programme please see http://nercgw4plus.ac.uk/

For eligible successful applicants, the studentships comprises:
  • A stipend for 3.5 years (currently £15,609 p.a. for 2021/22) in line with UK Research and Innovation rates
  • Payment of university tuition fees
  • A research budget of £11,000 for an international conference, lab, field and research expenses
  • A training budget of £3,250 for specialist training courses and expenses
More information

For eligibility, entry requirements, and how to apply, see https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/funding/award/?id=4236
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