The role
We are seeking a part‑time Postdoctoral Senior Research Associate in Computational Ethology / AI for Behaviour to deliver POSEIDANT: POSE‑based Identification and Detection of ANT nest behaviours, a BBSRC International Institutional Award led by Dr Nathalie Stroeymeyt (University of Bristol) in collaboration with Dr Talmo Pereira (Salk Institute, developer of SLEAP). The post runs 1 Sept 2025–31 Jan 2026 (Month 1: 35% FTE; Months 2–5: 25% FTE) and focuses on automating the detection of nest‑building behaviour in ant colonies to understand how architecture mitigates epidemic risk.
Hybrid working is available: Coding and data analysis can be carried out from home; experiments need to be performed on campus.
What will you be doing?
As part of the role, you will (1) record and process high‑resolution video of nest construction by individually-marked Lasius niger colonies, with and without exposure to the fungal pathogen Metarhizium brunneum; (2) train deep-learning models for pose-tracking and behavioural-classification; (3) combine the outputs of the deep-learning models with the automated barcode-based tracking to consolidate individual identification; (4) extract building behaviours from the videos and compare experimental treatments; (5) curate and release open-source code, annotated datasets and pre-trained models (e.g., via GitHub), including concise user documentation/tutorials
You should apply if
You have a PhD in biological sciences and have prior experience of working in the field of social insects, social interactions and collective behaviour. Experience with automated behaviour tracking in ants (data collection and analysis), and quantitative data analysis methods such as machine learning and behavioural classification in ants is essential. You will be ideal for this position if you are well-organised, eager to learn new skills and enthusiastic about studying social insects.
Additional information
For informal enquiries please contact Dr Nathalie Stroeymeyt
Contract type: Fixed term with 5 months funding
Work pattern: Part-time
Grade: £43,482 - £50,253 per annum pro rata
Salary: I
School/Unit: School of Biological Sciences
This advert will close at23:59 UK timeon Thursday 21st August 2025
Our strategy and mission
We recently launched our strategy to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values.
The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain individuals with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives – particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people - because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.
JOB NUMBER
ACAD108250
CONTRACT TYPE/WORK PATTERN
Fixed-term / Part time
POSTING END DATE
21 Aug 2025
FACULTY/DIVISION
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
SALARY
£43,482 - £50,253 per annum pro rata