PhD in Natural Sciences at Manchester Metropolitan University 🐸
CLOSING DATE: 20 AUGUST 2025
Project aims and objectives
The aim of the PhD project is to examine the impact of the highly invasive Asian toad (Duttaphrynus melanostictus) on frog biodiversity in Madagascar. In particular:
- Elucidating the impact of Asian toads on changes in amphibian community ecology, particularly on micro-endemic species in Parc Ivoloina.
- Understanding the impact of Asian toads on the calling and social behaviour of native amphibians and how this feeds back on population viability.
- Exploring the potential to use acoustics for monitoring Asian toad presence and abundance
- Determining potential conservation measures to limit the impact of invasive Asian toads.
Specific requirements of the candidate:
Essentials
- BSc/MSc/MRes in a scientific discipline related to the Natural Sciences such as Animal Behaviour, Biology, Conservation, Ecology, or Zoology
- The project will be carried out in collaboration with Chester Zoo, and partners in Madagascar, hence excellent communication and team working skills are required.
- The project requires extensive fieldwork in Madagascar, experience and/or willingness to work for periods in remote and challenging conditions is required.
- Good knowledge of statistics using R is required.
- Resilience, readiness to solve problems and work independently.
- Ability to work across cultures and languages and contribute to a collaborative international research endeavour.
Desirables
- Proof of a certain degree of scientific independence, e.g. by finishing an own scientific project of at least 6 months
- Good writing skills, ideally exemplified by a (submitted) scientific paper
- Practical experience in at least one of the following are a benefit: planning, managing and conducting scientific studies; work with amphibians; field work.
- Some overview of Malagasy amphibian fauna is a benefit.
- Some knowledge or aptitude to learn Malagasy or French is desirable.
How to apply
Interested applicants should contact Dr Joachim Frommen (j.frommen@mmu.ac.uk) for an informal discussion.
For more info, please visit the link: https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/understanding-and-mitigating-the-impact-of-the-invasive-asian-toad-on-malagasy-amphibian-biodiversity/?p186228
Since July 2025, I have been serving as the Community Advocates Coordinator at WildHub, where I coordinate initiatives to engage, support, and empower our community advocates in advancing WH’s mission.
Beyond WildHub, I wear a few different hats. I work as a researcher and lecturer in Sweden, teaching courses on environmental law, political and historical ecology, and disaster risk management. I also mentor undergraduate and postgraduate students, collaborate with faculty members, and contribute to ongoing research projects.
I’m passionate about giving back through volunteer work. I support a few conservation and animal welfare organisations with research and advocacy to help drive positive change. When I’m not working, you’ll find me hiking forest trails with my dog or enjoying a good cup of coffee.
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