Health and wellbeing in an endangered non-human primate across an anthropogenic gradient

Project summary  

This exciting opportunity integrates conservation management and animal wellbeing, using non-invasive biomarkers of health and welfare, to assess the impact of anthropogenic disturbance in an endangered non-human primate. 

Half of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity protected areas are within 50km of a city and the average urban land expansion from these cities is around 5% per annum. Consequently, the interface between wildlife and human populations is growing rapidly and research is needed to assess the impact of these interactions on wildlife health and welfare to inform the development of conservation management strategies. 

The project aims to assess anthropogenic disturbance across an urban-wild gradient in Barbary macaque populations across Morocco, by considering the interplay between peaceful and competitive human-primate interactions, access to anthropogenic food sources, the novel application of thermography to assess well-being, and urinary and faecal biomarkers to measure immune activation and health.  

The PhD student will join our flourishing School of Biological & Environmental Sciences and work under the supervisory team of Dr Nicola Koyama and Dr Patrick Tkaczynski, as well as external supervision from Liz Campbell (Atlas Golden Wolf Project, WildCru). You will receive bespoke training and support and a comprehensive transferable skills development programme from the LJMU Doctoral Academy. 

The Faculty of Science and its three Schools: Biological & Environmental Sciences, Pharmacy & Biomolecular Sciences, and Sports & Exercise Science, have dedicated Diversity and Inclusion (DI) Groups. The individual School Diversity & Inclusion Coordinators and the Faculty Associate Dean for Diversity & Inclusion lead collective action to promote and embed a culture of equality, diversity and inclusivity. All Schools are awarded the Athena SWAN Bronze in recognition of their respective equality initiatives and action plans. Also, Schools have proactive diversity and inclusion groups that are aimed to support staff and students by addressing the inclusivity requirements that are unique to each School, in alignment with the LJMU Diversity & Inclusion policies. Applicants are invited to visit the Faculty of Science https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/about-us/faculties/faculty-of-science and follow the link to each School. 

Essential and desirable criteria 

Please explain (in your cover letter) and evidence (in your CV) how your experiences meet the following specific criteria: 

Essential criteria: a Master’s degree in zoology, animal behaviour or a related field, prior experience working with wild primates or related field work, prior experience of behavioural data collection and laboratory work, evidence of excellent writing skills including research publications / outputs, conference presentations, strong organisational skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively with a team. A driving licence is essential. 

Desirable criteria: Engagement in outreach activities, and a good working knowledge of statistical analysis using R., . Full training in appropriate research methodologies and analyses will be provided by the supervisory team and through our Doctoral Academy.