Jon Richardson

This PhD was hosted in the School of Biological Sciences, Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh.    

It is easy to look back and wish you had some ideas earlier or gave up on that method sooner – but a PhD is all about learning as you go! 

What was your research about?

All animals must make strategic decisions about how to invest their time and energy – especially when it comes to reproduction. These decisions include who to mate with, how many offspring to produce and how much parental care to provide. However, these decisions are complicated by variation between individuals in their state or environment. So how can small, starved or weak individuals make the best of bad job?

My PhD looked at how state (e.g. whether an animal was in good condition or not) and social context (e.g. whether an animal has to deal with competitors) influence reproductive decisions in burying beetles – a model system for animal behaviour.

What made you apply to the E³ DTP?

After finishing my undergraduate degree in Edinburgh I knew I wanted to pursue a PhD and my supervisor pointed out an opportunity with the E3 DTP. The advertised project really appealed to my academic interests so it was an easy decision to apply!

What did you find challenging in your PhD?

The PhD was not like I expected it to be – but in a good way! Before applying I don’t think I appreciated how much freedom I would have when it came to shaping and refining the broad questions of my topic. I was able to take the research in a direction that I found interesting, but I still had lots of advice and support along the way. At first, I felt that all the interesting questions had already been asked so it is surprising – but incredibly satisfying – to realise that my PhD project developed organically and that there are still lots of interesting questions to explore. Juggling multiple experiments, analyses and manuscripts was of course challenging but ultimately very rewarding.

Looking back, what would you have done differently?

It is easy to look back and wish you had some ideas earlier or gave up on that method sooner – but a PhD is all about learning as you go! 

Which aspects of your PhD did you enjoy the most?

 

I really enjoyed the sense of community amongst the graduate students and staff particularly in the Institute of Evolutionary Biology. It was wonderful to always have access to support and advice from a diverse group of people.

I also enjoyed being able to develop my own research interests and present my work at international conferences.

 

Which skills did you gain during your PhD?

In particular – writing! The one thing most researchers have in common is that at the end of the day we are all writers so being able to develop writing skills has been so useful.

Other important skills I have gained include – experimental design, animal husbandry, statistical analyses, presentation skills, science communication, mentoring & student supervision, grant writing and reviewing – the list is pretty endless.

I’d also mention the importance of creativity as a skill – solving problems with experiments or even writing often requires some outside-the-box thinking and PhD will really test that (in a good way!)

The one thing most researchers have in common is that at the end of the day we are all writers so being able to develop writing skills has been so useful.

What would not have been possible without the DTP?

I was very grateful to the E3 DTP for funding my research visit to the University of Minnesota. It was a great opportunity to learn new skills, make new contacts and try things outside of my comfort zone.

How has your PhD helped you to decide on a career path?

I think my PhD has helped clarify that a career in research and teaching is my goal. The academic community is wonderful and I am excited to see how it becomes even more welcoming, diverse and inclusive thanks to the exhaustive efforts of so many people and I want to contribute to that in any way I can.

The academic community is wonderful and I am excited to see how it becomes even more welcoming, diverse and inclusive thanks to the exhaustive efforts of so many people and I want to contribute to that in any way I can.

And now?

My plans are to continue in research – with a focus on how animal behaviour can overcome the challenges of environmental change. My immediate next step is as a postdoc in the Zuk lab at the University of Minnesota where I did a research visit during my PhD.