Gut microbiome variation in wild birds: Developmental consequences for host traits and fitness

Gut microbiome variation in wild birds: Developmental consequences for host traits and fitness

Project Description

Supervisors

Dr Gabrielle Davidson, School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia

Dr William Nash, School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia

Dr Phil Leftwich, School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia

Dr Emily Fowler, School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia

 

 

Scientific Background

Wildlife gut microbiomes are critical for host biology and health, yet are highly variable and environmentally responsive, especially in birds. There’s now a pressing need to understand how these symbionts affect development and fitness. This project tackles a key evolutionary ecology question: when are gut microbes are important for wildlife?

This project builds on recent findings that wild great tits (Parus major) nestlings with higher Lactobacillaceae abundances are more likely to gain weight and fledge. In a subsequent experimental manipulation, supplementation with host-derived L. kimchicus affected nestling weight, suggesting a causal, functional interaction between microbial strains and host physiology.

Why, then, do some individuals lack seemingly beneficial strains? Building on these novel empirical findings and existing theory, you will investigate how developmental and ecological factors shape colonisation, and how the gut microbiome effects suites of host traits.

 

Research Methodology

You will study wild populations of great tits and blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) in East Anglia, focusing on the nestling and juvenile stages, when microbiome colonisation begins. You will collect faecal samples from birds with natural and experimentally altered gut microbiomes, longitudinally monitor growth, behaviour and cognition (via automated feeders), and analyse microbiome composition using 16S rRNA and whole-genome sequencing. Statistical modelling will test for links between microbes and host development and fitness.

 

Project Objectives

Primary focus areas, with potential to tailor according to your interests.

  1. Assess how nesting environment and microbial supplementation influence microbiome colonisation.
  2. Determine microbiome effects on developmental plasticity of behavioural, cognitive and biological phenotypes.
  3. Explore whether early-life gut microbiomes predict first-year fitness.

 

Training

You will join a supportive, interdisciplinary research group, including a postdoc, DTP students, and technicians. Training will include fieldwork, bird handling, ringing, lab techniques in molecular biology, microbiome sequencing, bioinformatics, and statistical modelling in R. You will also gain experience in critical thinking, scientific writing, and presenting your research. Transferable skills for academic and non-academic careers will be embedded throughout.

 

Person Specification

Reliable and enthusiastic team member willing to contribute to shared data collection in a collaborative environment. Prior experience in fieldwork, ornithology, molecular techniques, or data analysis is desirable.

Acceptable first degree subjects: Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, in Biology or related field

Project code: DAVIDSON_UEA_ARIES26

References

  • Somers, S. E., Davidson, G. L., Mbandlwa, P., & Quinn, J. L. (2024). Manipulating a host-native microbial strain compensates for low microbial diversity by increasing weight gain in a wild bird population. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 121(43), e2402352121. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2402352121
  • Davidson, G. L., Somers, S. E., Wiley, N., Johnson, C. N., Reichert, M. S., Ross, R. P., Stanton, C., & Quinn, J. L. (2021). A time‐lagged association between the gut microbiome, nestling weight and nestling survival in wild great tits. Journal of Animal Ecology, 90(4), 994–1008. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.13428
  • Pallen, M. J., Ponsero, A. J., Telatin, A., Moss, C.-J., Baker, D., Heavens, D., & Davidson, G. L. (2025). Faecal metagenomes of great tits and blue tits provide insights into host, diet, pathogens and microbial biodiversity. Access Microbiology. https://doi.org/10.1099/acmi.0.000910.v2
  • Davidson, G. L., Raulo, A., & Knowles, S. C. L. (2020). Identifying microbiome-mediated behaviour in wild vertebrates. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 35(11), 972–980. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2020.06.014
  • Davies, J. R., Keuneke, L. S., Clayton, N. S., & Davidson, G. L. (2024). Episodic-like memory in wild free-living blue tits and great tits. Current Biology, 34(16), 3593–3602.e5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2024.07.003

Key Information

  • This studentship has been shortlisted for funding under the UKRI NERC DLA funding scheme and will commence on 1 October 2026. The closing date for applications is 23:59 on 7 January 2026.
  • Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded studentship, which covers fees, maintenance stipend (£20,780 p.a. for 2025/26) and a research training and support grant (RTSG). A limited number of studentships are available for international applicants, with the difference between 'home' and 'international' fees being waived by the registering university. Please note, however, that ARIES funding does not cover additional costs associated with relocation to, and living in, the UK, such as visa costs or the health surcharge.
  • ARIES postgraduate researchers (PGRs) benefit from bespoke training and ARIES provides £2,500 to every student for access to external training, travel and conferences, on top of all Research Costs associated with the project. Excellent applicants from quantitative disciplines with limited experience in environmental sciences may be considered for an additional 3-month stipend to take advanced-level courses. Excellent applicants from quantitative disciplines with limited experience in environmental sciences may be considered for an additional 3-month stipend to take advanced-level courses.
  • ARIES is committed to equality, diversity, widening participation and inclusion in all areas of its operation. We encourage enquiries and applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation and transgender status. Academic qualifications are considered alongside non-academic experience, and our recruitment process considers potential with the same weighting as past experience.
  • All ARIES studentships may be undertaken on a part-time or full-time basis. International applicants should check whether there are any conditions of visa or immigration permission that preclude part-time study. All advertised project proposals have been developed with consideration of a safe, inclusive and appropriate research and fieldwork environment with respect to protected characteristics. If you have any concerns, please contact us.
  • For further information, please contact the supervisor. To apply for this Studentship, follow the instructions at the bottom of the page or click the 'apply now' link.
  • ARIES is required by our funders to collect Equality and Diversity Information from all of our applicants. The information you provide will be used solely for monitoring and statistical purposes; it will remain confidential and will be stored on the UEA SharePoint server. Data will not be shared with those involved in making decisions on the award of Studentships and will have no influence on the success of your application. It will only be shared outside of this group in an anonymised and aggregated form. You will be asked to complete the form by the University to which you apply.
  • ARIES studentships are subject to UKRI terms and conditions. Postgraduate Researchers are expected to live within reasonable distance of their host organisation for the duration of their studentship. Please see https://www.ukri.org/publications/terms-and-conditions-for-training-funding/ for more information.

Apply Now

Apply now via the  University of East Anglia Application Portal