PhD position Swarming behaviour of Dipteran fliers
Location: Wageningen (the Netherlands)
Organization: Wageningen University & Research - Experimental Zoology Group (EZO)
Contract Type: Temporary contract for 18 months (extendable for full project duration). Full-time 38 hours/week.
Main Description: Do you enjoy working at the interface between behaviour, ecology, and evolution? In this project, you will investigate how swarming behaviour has evolved across Diptera (flies and mosquitoes), one of the most ecologically and behaviourally diverse insect orders. Using 3D field recordings and environmental monitoring, you will uncover how different species behave in swarms, how they use sensory cues from their environment, bringing new hindsight about the evolution of collective behaviour.
You will deploy a multi-camera 3D tracking system in natural settings to study insect flight and swarming dynamics across species. This will involve identifying swarming sites, collecting and identifying specimens, and analysing 3D flight trajectories in relation to local environmental cues such as light intensity, wind conditions, and visual structure.
To complement the fieldwork, you will conduct lab experiments on a model species (e.g. Culex pipiens) to test specific hypotheses about sensory-driven flight behaviour under controlled light and visual environments.
Requirements:
- Recent MSc degree (or equivalent) in biology, ecology, ethology, physics, or engineering
- Strong interest in animal behaviour and insect ecology
- Strong analytical and quantitative skills with complex behavioral datasets
- Proficiency in scientific programming (Python, MATLAB, or R)
- Clear affinity for insect behavior, sensory ecology, or movement ecology
- Fieldwork experience or strong interest in insect field studies
- Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team
- Good proficiency in English (C1 level required)
Benefits/Conditions:
- Gross salary: €3.059/month (first year) rising to €3.881 (fourth year) according to CAO-NU scale P
- Fully funded PhD position with tailored course program
- Partially paid parental leave
- Flexible working hours for work-life balance
- Sports facilities access for small fee
- Fixed December bonus of 8.3%
- Excellent pension scheme
- International environment with immigration support
- Tax exemption possibilities for international staff (first five years)
How to Apply: Apply directly using the apply button at: https://www.wur.nl/en/education-programmes/phd-programme/graduate-schools/www.wur.nlwimek/about-wimek/vacancies/phd-vacancies/show/phd-position-swarming-behaviour-of-dipteran-fliers.htm
Application deadline: 15 September 2025
Contact information:
- Position inquiries: Dr. Antoine Cribellier - antoine.cribellier@wur.nl
- Procedure inquiries: Noorien Abbas - noorien.abbas@wur.nl
