Hi

I have just completed an MSc in Animal Behaviour and I am now hoping to get a funded PhD in the same field. I realise how competitive it is to get onto PhDs and there doesn't seem to be many animal behaviour ones around. I therefore figured I need to get some more experience or a research assistant job.

Does anyone have any advice for getting animal behaviour placements? I really want to get some active research under my belt and maybe my name on some published papers! I would love to do these abroad. I'm really interested in anti predator behaviour, language, cooperation, theory of mind, tool use and mental time travel (particularly in primates).

Any help would be very much appreciated!!

Thanks

Experience helps, but you should be able to get on to a PhD regardless really. It can be subject-dependant, but PhDs are often not as competitive as they seem to be. Have you applied for any?

Yeah I have applied for a three or four and turned down one (I didn't think I would be offered it and wanted to practice interviews) but there do not seem to be many behavioural Phds available. So when/if one comes up I want to put myself in pole position. So I figured some experience can only help.

I am still relatively new to applying though so if you have any other advice on applying or where to find animal behaviour PhDs that would be great as well!

There probably isn't loads around right now anyway - most seem to advertised around March - May and then Oct - Nov (following funding I think).

Plus finding the perfect PhD in a location you want is always going to be hard. I know Bristol does a lot of animal behaviour stuff - have you looked at them? I guess you've looked at findaphd.com - most PhDs are on there.

Often universities recruit summer students for internships abroad, but they are advertised within the department so you may not hear about them. You could try contacting academics working in a area that you are interested in and send your CV and see if they can help find something. This is usually unpaid but with food and accommodation covered. This may not be a great time to do it though as generally these things start early summer.

I have had a look at Bristol but they don't seem to be offering anything at the moment either. Ok thank you I will email some academics!

Do you have any advice regarding research assistant jobs? I heard that they were also a good way to get onto PhDs as well.

Thank you for your help by the way!!

Research jobs are helpful for sure, but I would say the majority of PhD students just come straight from education. They will help because they show your commitment as well as giving you experience.

As to how to get them, I don't really know. Try jobs.ac.uk which is where most academics jobs are advertised.