GW4+ PhD Studentship - Marine Snails

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About the role

Most shelled molluscs are assumed to have poor vision (if any at all) and are unable to discriminate colour. However, these generalisations are based on surprisingly little evidence. This project will investigate vision in Umboniinae, a poorly studied group of marine snails spanning species with large eyes and species that have secondarily lost them.

The central question is whether gastropods can discriminate colour, and how visual systems evolve. Working with the student, we will develop specific questions and hypotheses around: (1) the evolutionary drivers of eye gain and loss within a time-calibrated phylogenetic framework; (2) eye anatomy and spatial acuity; (3) behavioural evidence for visual acuity, discrimination of colour and polarised light; (4) opsin diversity and its relationship to visual capability. The student will also have scope to pursue emerging questions, such as the function of shell colour.

The student will receive integrated, on-the-job training in behavioural experiments, electroretinography, histology and imaging (µCT, SBF-SEM), transcriptomics, phylogenetics and systematics (mitogenome capture, Bayesian inference) and fieldwork, alongside transferable skills including scientific writing, data analysis and grant writing. Training will be provided through hands-on supervision, with the student progressively taking increasing responsibility for experimental design, analysis and interpretation, retaining flexibility to refine the research direction as new findings emerge.

The project brings together complementary expertise at the Natural History Museum (NHM), University of Bristol and University of Cambridge. The NHM contributes expertise in molluscan systematics and evolution of colour and vision in marine mollucs; Bristol contributes specialist expertise in invertebrate visual ecology, behavioural studies and colour and polarisation vision in marine invertebrates; and Cambridge contributes expertise in molluscan palaeoecology and shell biology. This closely connected partnership will provide access to complementary collections, facilities and approaches, broaden the student’s research network, and support interdisciplinary training and independent research development.

About you

You should have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK. If you have a Lower Second Class degree, you can be considered if you also have a Master’s degree or relevant professional (e.g. work) experience.

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