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PhD Studentship; Biases in decision-making and their implications for resilience and animal welfare

Job Details

The project:

There is growing interest in understanding why some individuals are more resilient to challenge than others. This reflects an increased interest in investigating ‘health’ as well as ‘disease’; it is also highly relevant to animal welfare given that concerns about global food security may drive renewed intensification of animal production systems which pose many such challenges. Resilient animals will better withstand these changes. A key predictor of resilience in humans is the way in which people appraise or judge a situation, as this determines the decisions they make and hence the impact that the situation has on them; positive appraisals and optimism often predict resilience to emotional or mood disorders (Kalisch et al. 2015. Behav Brain Sci 38, e92). However, the influence of decision-making style (e.g. optimistic or pessimistic biases) on resilience has received almost no study in animals. One reason for this has been the absence of a suitable way of measuring animal decision-making. We have developed a method for measuring such ‘cognitive biases’ that is now widely used in many species (Harding et al. 2004. Nature 427, 312). Using our method, one study of rats has recently shown that (operationally defined) ‘optimistic’ responders are indeed more resilient to stress than ‘pessimistic’ responders (Rygula et al. 2013. Neuropsychopharm 38, 2188-2196).

The aims of the PhD are to provide the first in-depth investigation of the links between decision-making style and resilience in an animal species (rats). In doing so, the project will provide fundamental information on the nature of this relationship, open the way for further studies in other species, and use knowledge gained to start investigating ways of enhancing resilience. Computational models will be applied to data from our cognitive bias task to determine individuals’ decision-making styles, including sensitivity to positive or negative events, and biases (‘optimism’ / ‘pessimism’) in expectations about such events. Next, different forms of resilience, and their temporal properties, will be described and linked to decision-making styles; the key question of how decision-making styles predict (different forms of) resilience will thus be addressed. Finally, the possibility of manipulating resilience by altering decision-making styles will be examined. To achieve these goals, the student will receive training in animal learning and behaviour (including behavioural decision-making assays implemented using automated apparatus), affective psychology, and computational neuroscience of decision-making from a supervisory team with expertise in all areas.

Supervisors:

Main supervisor: Prof Mike Mendl ([email protected]), University of Bristol

Co-supervisors: Prof Iain Gilchrist and Dr Liz Paul (University of Bristol), Prof Peter Dayan (University College London)

How to apply:

Please see information on the BBSRC SWBio Doctoral Training Programme which will fund this studentship at:

http://www.bristol.ac.uk/swbio/

Detailed instructions on how to apply for this studentship are at: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/swbio/apply/index_html (navigate to the ‘University of Bristol’ option).

Candidate requirements: Prospective candidates should have or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of science or technology. Applicants with a Lower Second Class degree will be considered if they also have a Master’s degree or have significant relevant non-academic experience.

In addition, due to the strong mathematical component of the taught course in the first year and the quantitative emphasis in our project, a minimum of a grade B in A-level Maths or an equivalent qualification or experience is required.

Contacts: Prof Mike Mendl: [email protected]

 

Funding Notes

Stipend:

This 4-year studentship will be funded at standard BBSRC stipend rates (currently £14296 pa for Oct 2016 entry)

Funding: For funding and eligibility information, please see the BBSRC SWBio DTP website: View Website

Supervisor: Prof Mendl

Company

Global Academy Jobs works with over 250 universities worldwide to promote academic mobility and international research collaboration. Global problems need international solutions. Our jobs board and emails reach the academics and researchers who can help.

"The globalisation of higher education continues apace, driving in turn the ongoing development of the global knowledge economy, striving for solutions to the world’s problems and educating a next generation of leaders and contributors."

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