Evolutionary Biology
Research topics & objectives
Our research interests encompass a wide and diverse array of overlapping topics and approaches, but a unifying theme running through the department is the study of behavioural traits important in pre- and post-copulatory sexual selection, and more generally, phenotypic plasticity.
We study the evolution of these often sex-specific traits with a combination of theoretical, experimental and meta-analytical approaches. For the empirical studies, we conduct field and lab experiments, using insects and gastropods as model species. Advanced statistical methods, evidence synthesis and meta-research complement our research program, which strives to detect and test general concepts in behavioural ecology and evolutionary biology.
Open positions
We don't currently have any open positions, but we invite any prospective PhD or Postdoc researchers interested in working at the Department of Evolutionary Biology to get in touch with us to discuss funding opportunities. If you are interested in conducting a project/research module or doing your bachelor/master's thesis with us, get in touch.
Upcoming Seminars
THE EVOLUTION SEMINAR
Our evolution seminar takes place each Tuesday at 12:15 (either in person, room: VHF-210; or online), starting on the 8th of October.
On the 29th of October, Marija Purgar (Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Croatia) will talk about: "Collaborative Efforts to Tackle Research Waste in Ecology"
Abstract: In this talk, I will present results from several collaborative meta-research projects with my colleagues, where we identified significant transparency issues and quantified research waste, which amounts to 82-89% in ecology. I will also discuss practices that can help mitigate research waste, such as research registration, which improves study design and reporting quality. My overarching goal is to motivate you to recognise the power of networking with like-minded individuals. For me, this drive for improving ecological studies and reducing research waste led me to join The Society for Open, Reliable, and Transparent Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (SORTEE), where I met many of my current collaborators and friends. I will conclude with insights from my journey as a Fulbright visiting student researcher in the USA, where I am currently working on projects to reduce research waste and improve the reliability and global impact of ecological studies.
Zoom link: https://uni-bielefeld.zoom-x.de/j/61058735084?pwd=OUsm8eK3FGmGCZ922B8UPksTIOvjuH.1
Speakers and talks will be announced regularly. Click here for more information: https://shorturl.at/hhZZ9
BEHAVIOUR AND EVOLUTION
The behaviour and evolution seminar takes place each Wednesday at 12:15 (either in person, room: W0-135; or online), starting on the 9th of October.
On the 30th of October, Carl Soulsbury (University of Lincoln, UK) will talk about: "The evolution of sperm form and function"
Abstract: Sperm are the most morphologically diverse of all cells, yet the drivers of such diversity remain poorly understood. Using the combined approaches of fluid mechanics, biophysics and evolution we demonstrate how they shape sperm form, specifically highlighting the critical role of the fertilizing the environment in shaping key sperm traits.
Zoom link: https://uni-bielefeld.zoom-x.de/j/68076185866?pwd=RnZOYTE1UitvaGhselB3bERRVEZMZz09
Speakers and talks will be announced regularly. Click here for more information: https://shorturl.at/hhZZ9
All interested are welcome! Get in touch for a link to the online view whenever necessary.