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- Tasks: Investigate the evolution of social insect castes through field experiments in Africa.
- Company: University of Bristol, a diverse and inclusive institution.
- Benefits: Open-ended contract, full-time role, and opportunities for impactful research.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity to work in Cameroon, Kenya, and South Africa.
- Why this job: Join an international team and make significant contributions to evolutionary biology.
- Qualifications: PhD in a related field and extensive overseas research experience required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
A Senior Research Associate position is available in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Bristol. Working across Africa, you will investigate the evolution of behavioural castes in social insects (‘queens’ and ‘workers’). You will run field experiments with social wasps in three African countries: Cameroon, Kenya, and South Africa.
You will join an international team of postdocs, PhD students, local field assistants, and combine a diverse range of techniques – including behavioural experiments in the field, CT scanning, and bioinformatics. This position is funded by a NERC-NSF Pushing the Frontiers grant to Dr Patrick Kennedy (University of Bristol, UK) and Professor Dustin Rubenstein (Columbia University, USA).
You will work in Cameroon, Kenya, and South Africa to understand how the evolution of castes is shaped by climate. You will conduct field sampling across environmental gradients and analyse diverse datasets including transcriptomes, behavioural footage, and CT scans. We anticipate the Senior Research Associate being first author on resulting papers.
You are a biologist with good all-round skills. You should be confident travelling and conducting fieldwork across remote locations, and prepared to analyse diverse data strands.
Essential requirements are:- Experience conducting overseas research fieldwork
- Demonstrable capacity, enthusiasm, and commitment to spend at least 3 months a year in the field.
- You must be prepared to travel extensively across three African countries (Cameroon, Kenya, and South Africa)
- Ability to work as part of an international field team and collaborate closely with partners from multiple international institutions
- High practical independence
- Strong abilities to trouble‑shoot in the field
- Confidence driving overseas, including 4X4 vehicles
- PhD in a related field
- Ability to speak French to a conversational level, as you will be working with Cameroonian colleagues and engaging with local communities and government officials
- Prior experience working in an African context
- Academic background in behavioural ecology
- Experience working in challenging environments
Do you need to have a background in evolutionary biology? Applicants with outstanding fieldwork experience coming from disciplines outside evolution, ecology, or animal behaviour (e.g., anthropology, geography, population health, conservation biology) are welcome to apply, although experience with bioinformatics datasets is an advantage. You will be expected to develop a strong grasp of social evolution and behavioural ecology, including inclusive fitness theory.
It is expected that this position will start as soon as possible from 1st March 2026.
Contract type: Open ended (Fixed term funding until 31/05/2028)
Work pattern: Full-time
Grade: J
Recruitment timeline:
- The advert will close at 23:59 UK time on Sunday 11th January 2026
- Shortlisting is expected to take place between the 12th-16th January 2026
- Interviews will take place on Wednesday 28th January 2026
The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain individuals with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives – particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people – because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.
Senior Research Associate: Understanding the Evolution of Castes in Bristol employer: Scholarshipdb
Contact Detail:
Scholarshipdb Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Research Associate: Understanding the Evolution of Castes in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at the University of Bristol or in similar roles. A friendly chat can give us insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost our chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into the research being done at the School of Biological Sciences. Knowing the latest projects and how they align with your skills will show that we’re genuinely interested and ready to contribute.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to get comfortable discussing our fieldwork experiences and how they relate to the role. This will help us articulate our passion and expertise clearly.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets seen. Plus, it shows we’re serious about joining the team and contributing to the exciting research on social insects.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Research Associate: Understanding the Evolution of Castes in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the research shine through! We want to see how excited you are about studying the evolution of castes and working in diverse environments. Share your experiences that fuel this passion!
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight relevant experiences, especially those related to fieldwork and collaboration. We’re looking for candidates who can thrive in international teams, so emphasise any teamwork or cross-cultural experiences you've had.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that get straight to the heart of your qualifications and experiences. Avoid jargon unless it’s necessary, and make sure we can easily see why you’re a great fit!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the position and our team there. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Scholarshipdb
✨Know Your Research
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest studies and theories related to social insects and behavioural ecology. Familiarise yourself with the specific research being conducted by Dr Patrick Kennedy and Professor Dustin Rubenstein, as this will show your genuine interest and understanding of the role.
✨Fieldwork Experience is Key
Be ready to discuss your previous fieldwork experiences in detail. Highlight any challenges you faced and how you overcame them, especially in remote locations. This will demonstrate your practical independence and problem-solving skills, which are crucial for this position.
✨Cultural Awareness Matters
Since you'll be working across Cameroon, Kenya, and South Africa, it’s important to show that you understand and respect local cultures. If you have any experience working in African contexts or speaking French, make sure to mention it, as this could set you apart from other candidates.
✨Team Player Attitude
This role involves collaborating with an international team, so be prepared to discuss your teamwork experiences. Share examples of how you’ve successfully worked with diverse groups and how you can contribute to a positive team dynamic in the field.