Stephen Montgomery
@ebablab.bsky.social
Evolutionary Neurobiology and Behaviour
www.shmontgomery.co.uk
www.shmontgomery.co.uk
Pinned
Stephen Montgomery
@ebablab.bsky.social
· Nov 21
🚨RA/PhD position available in evolutionary neurobiology 🚨
Working on a deep dive into circuit changes during mushroom body expansion in Heliconius butterflies @camzoology.bsky.social
- employment benefits
- 4 years funding
- 1000% fun
Deadline: 14/1/2026
Details:
www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/researc...
Working on a deep dive into circuit changes during mushroom body expansion in Heliconius butterflies @camzoology.bsky.social
- employment benefits
- 4 years funding
- 1000% fun
Deadline: 14/1/2026
Details:
www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/researc...
Reposted by Stephen Montgomery
Excited about our new preprint showing bidirectional adaptive introgression between invasive and native crop pests over ecological timescales www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
The collision of two genomes threatens global food security
Human activity alters selection pressures and species' ranges, creating opportunities for hybridisation through secondary contact. Ancient hybridization has enabled adaptive radiation, but its role in...
www.biorxiv.org
December 26, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Excited about our new preprint showing bidirectional adaptive introgression between invasive and native crop pests over ecological timescales www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Shout out to all the parents trying to maintain some control over the recycling situation. God speed ✊
December 25, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Shout out to all the parents trying to maintain some control over the recycling situation. God speed ✊
Reposted by Stephen Montgomery
We believe that, as our future leaders in biology, it is vital to provide #ECRs with the right support during the early stages of your academic career. We offer a number of practical ways to help you meet the unique needs and challenges you may encounter: www.biologists.com/about-us/ear...
Supporting early-career researchers
On these pages we highlight the range of resources that we offer to early-career researchers.
www.biologists.com
December 19, 2025 at 4:59 PM
We believe that, as our future leaders in biology, it is vital to provide #ECRs with the right support during the early stages of your academic career. We offer a number of practical ways to help you meet the unique needs and challenges you may encounter: www.biologists.com/about-us/ear...
Reposted by Stephen Montgomery
Very proud of this new paper from the lab! Work by the magnificent Andrea Adden and many brilliant collaborators illuminate how moth and butterfly brains have evolved in light of different ecologies. Freely available here: rdcu.be/eVR3B; @lundvision.bsky.social @biologylu.bsky.social
December 22, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Very proud of this new paper from the lab! Work by the magnificent Andrea Adden and many brilliant collaborators illuminate how moth and butterfly brains have evolved in light of different ecologies. Freely available here: rdcu.be/eVR3B; @lundvision.bsky.social @biologylu.bsky.social
Reposted by Stephen Montgomery
We're open for abstract submission, and look forward to welcoming you all to Bristol in March!
asab-spring-conference2026.github.io
@asab-meetings.bsky.social #ASABSpring2026
asab-spring-conference2026.github.io
@asab-meetings.bsky.social #ASABSpring2026
December 22, 2025 at 10:31 AM
We're open for abstract submission, and look forward to welcoming you all to Bristol in March!
asab-spring-conference2026.github.io
@asab-meetings.bsky.social #ASABSpring2026
asab-spring-conference2026.github.io
@asab-meetings.bsky.social #ASABSpring2026
Reposted by Stephen Montgomery
Ever wanted to know how the visual system of a long distance migratory moth looks like? Then you'll find your answers in our new paper. Finally out, after about a decade of collecting data by a group af amazing co-authors. Find it here, open access: link.springer.com/article/10.1...
December 18, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Ever wanted to know how the visual system of a long distance migratory moth looks like? Then you'll find your answers in our new paper. Finally out, after about a decade of collecting data by a group af amazing co-authors. Find it here, open access: link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Reposted by Stephen Montgomery
If you’re sad #ASABWinter2025 is over, have no fear! #ASABSpring2025 🌼 is coming soon, from March 23-25 at Bristol University. It’s an especially fantastic meeting for students and ECRs 🤠
Don’t forget travel grants are due Feb 1!
www.asab.org/conferences-...
Don’t forget travel grants are due Feb 1!
www.asab.org/conferences-...
December 16, 2025 at 5:08 PM
If you’re sad #ASABWinter2025 is over, have no fear! #ASABSpring2025 🌼 is coming soon, from March 23-25 at Bristol University. It’s an especially fantastic meeting for students and ECRs 🤠
Don’t forget travel grants are due Feb 1!
www.asab.org/conferences-...
Don’t forget travel grants are due Feb 1!
www.asab.org/conferences-...
The struggle is also part of the fun
I’m really concerned about early career scientists using generative AI in writing, because writing is how we think and reflect. There’s almost nothing *more* human than that, and to give that gift away to a machine is almost unconscionable to me
December 14, 2025 at 5:36 PM
The struggle is also part of the fun
Reposted by Stephen Montgomery
🚨RA/PhD position available in evolutionary neurobiology 🚨
Working on a deep dive into circuit changes during mushroom body expansion in Heliconius butterflies @camzoology.bsky.social
- employment benefits
- 4 years funding
- 1000% fun
Deadline: 14/1/2026
Details:
www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/researc...
Working on a deep dive into circuit changes during mushroom body expansion in Heliconius butterflies @camzoology.bsky.social
- employment benefits
- 4 years funding
- 1000% fun
Deadline: 14/1/2026
Details:
www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/researc...
November 21, 2025 at 2:31 PM
🚨RA/PhD position available in evolutionary neurobiology 🚨
Working on a deep dive into circuit changes during mushroom body expansion in Heliconius butterflies @camzoology.bsky.social
- employment benefits
- 4 years funding
- 1000% fun
Deadline: 14/1/2026
Details:
www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/researc...
Working on a deep dive into circuit changes during mushroom body expansion in Heliconius butterflies @camzoology.bsky.social
- employment benefits
- 4 years funding
- 1000% fun
Deadline: 14/1/2026
Details:
www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/researc...
Reposted by Stephen Montgomery
POSTDOC ALERT🚨
Two exciting social evolution postdoc positions live today!
We're looking for two excellent field biologists. Join us to explore the evolution of sociality in wasps across Africa. Apply by 11th January.
Collaboration with
@dustinrubenstein.com
@bristolbiosci.bsky.social
Two exciting social evolution postdoc positions live today!
We're looking for two excellent field biologists. Join us to explore the evolution of sociality in wasps across Africa. Apply by 11th January.
Collaboration with
@dustinrubenstein.com
@bristolbiosci.bsky.social
December 12, 2025 at 8:58 PM
POSTDOC ALERT🚨
Two exciting social evolution postdoc positions live today!
We're looking for two excellent field biologists. Join us to explore the evolution of sociality in wasps across Africa. Apply by 11th January.
Collaboration with
@dustinrubenstein.com
@bristolbiosci.bsky.social
Two exciting social evolution postdoc positions live today!
We're looking for two excellent field biologists. Join us to explore the evolution of sociality in wasps across Africa. Apply by 11th January.
Collaboration with
@dustinrubenstein.com
@bristolbiosci.bsky.social
From our @hfspo.bsky.social project, where we have been trying to test out new methods and ideas!
New paper covering what we think is a pretty nice and comprehensive overview over tools suitable for neuroethology in butterflies and moths.
Also, check out the whole special issue if you're an insect neuroethologist.
@neuroethology.org @dzg-neurobiology.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1007/s003...
Also, check out the whole special issue if you're an insect neuroethologist.
@neuroethology.org @dzg-neurobiology.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1007/s003...
Emerging tools to advance neuroethology in butterflies and moths - Journal of Comparative Physiology A
Journal of Comparative Physiology A - Butterflies and moths have played historically important roles in developing our understanding of both ecology and evolutionary biology, and neuroethology. In...
doi.org
December 12, 2025 at 10:23 AM
From our @hfspo.bsky.social project, where we have been trying to test out new methods and ideas!
Reposted by Stephen Montgomery
New paper covering what we think is a pretty nice and comprehensive overview over tools suitable for neuroethology in butterflies and moths.
Also, check out the whole special issue if you're an insect neuroethologist.
@neuroethology.org @dzg-neurobiology.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1007/s003...
Also, check out the whole special issue if you're an insect neuroethologist.
@neuroethology.org @dzg-neurobiology.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1007/s003...
Emerging tools to advance neuroethology in butterflies and moths - Journal of Comparative Physiology A
Journal of Comparative Physiology A - Butterflies and moths have played historically important roles in developing our understanding of both ecology and evolutionary biology, and neuroethology. In...
doi.org
December 12, 2025 at 10:04 AM
New paper covering what we think is a pretty nice and comprehensive overview over tools suitable for neuroethology in butterflies and moths.
Also, check out the whole special issue if you're an insect neuroethologist.
@neuroethology.org @dzg-neurobiology.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1007/s003...
Also, check out the whole special issue if you're an insect neuroethologist.
@neuroethology.org @dzg-neurobiology.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1007/s003...
Reposted by Stephen Montgomery
Bon dia! L'oruga Euthalia aconthea és una professional del camuflatge. Adopta la forma i el color de les fulles, mimetitzant-se amb nervadures i tonalitats verdes. Així passa totalment desapercebuda davant depredadors, protegint-se fins a completar la metamorfosi 🦋.
December 12, 2025 at 6:45 AM
Bon dia! L'oruga Euthalia aconthea és una professional del camuflatge. Adopta la forma i el color de les fulles, mimetitzant-se amb nervadures i tonalitats verdes. Així passa totalment desapercebuda davant depredadors, protegint-se fins a completar la metamorfosi 🦋.
blown away by this, given the names of previous winners - recent and not so recent - hugely grateful to @zslofficial.bsky.social, and all the many students, postgrads, postdocs and collaborators who have helped make the last 14 years so fun and exciting
Will go back to avoiding cameras now… 🫣
Will go back to avoiding cameras now… 🫣
The ZSL Scientific Medal is also awarded to Professor Stephen Montgomery, @bristolbiosci.bsky.social whose research has provided insights into the relationships between ecological niche specialisation, brain structure, and cognitive function 🏅 @ebablab.bsky.social
December 10, 2025 at 6:30 PM
blown away by this, given the names of previous winners - recent and not so recent - hugely grateful to @zslofficial.bsky.social, and all the many students, postgrads, postdocs and collaborators who have helped make the last 14 years so fun and exciting
Will go back to avoiding cameras now… 🫣
Will go back to avoiding cameras now… 🫣
Reposted by Stephen Montgomery
New PhD position available! For applicants keen to combine evolutionary ecology, neuroscience and animal cognition. Based at UCL with me, @maxreuter.bsky.social, @fcamus.bsky.social and Tamara Boto (Bristol). Directly funded, see here for details and eligibility: www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
How Memory Evolves: Integrating Cognitive Ecology, Neuroscience, and Experimental Evolution in Drosophila at University College London on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - How Memory Evolves: Integrating Cognitive Ecology, Neuroscience, and Experimental Evolution in Drosophila at University College London, listed on FindAPhD.com
www.findaphd.com
December 4, 2025 at 3:10 PM
New PhD position available! For applicants keen to combine evolutionary ecology, neuroscience and animal cognition. Based at UCL with me, @maxreuter.bsky.social, @fcamus.bsky.social and Tamara Boto (Bristol). Directly funded, see here for details and eligibility: www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Habitat mosaics drive fine scale population divergence in wood mice 🐭 onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Neat paper by Warren Booth, Paulo Prodhöl & team that I was lucky to play a tiny role in as a one-armed undergrad 20years ago. Special one for me as my first/only co-authorship with my Dad!
Neat paper by Warren Booth, Paulo Prodhöl & team that I was lucky to play a tiny role in as a one-armed undergrad 20years ago. Special one for me as my first/only co-authorship with my Dad!
Habitat Mosaic Limits Gene Flow and Promotes Morphological Adaptation in a Generalist Mammal
We investigated how fine-scale habitat heterogeneity influences genetic structure in the European wood mouse by sampling individuals across hedgerow, forest edge, and inner forest habitats in three N...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
December 5, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Habitat mosaics drive fine scale population divergence in wood mice 🐭 onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Neat paper by Warren Booth, Paulo Prodhöl & team that I was lucky to play a tiny role in as a one-armed undergrad 20years ago. Special one for me as my first/only co-authorship with my Dad!
Neat paper by Warren Booth, Paulo Prodhöl & team that I was lucky to play a tiny role in as a one-armed undergrad 20years ago. Special one for me as my first/only co-authorship with my Dad!
Lolz!
And, do we even care about IQ? It is like the Impact Factor of intelligence...
December 5, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Lolz!
Reposted by Stephen Montgomery
This article suggests the possibility of training AI on pre-existing proposals and their review reports, scores and related decisions. I.e. training them on a system which is known to preferentially award larger amounts of money to white men. What could possibly go wrong?
UKRI exploring use of AI in grant review - this will prompt debate but interested to know if people think it’d encourage novelty or the opposite? www.chemistryworld.com/news/ukri-op...
UKRI opens up grant proposal data to explore using AI to smooth peer review
Surging applications has led the UK's main funder to look at ways to reduce the burden on reviewers
www.chemistryworld.com
December 4, 2025 at 10:49 PM
This article suggests the possibility of training AI on pre-existing proposals and their review reports, scores and related decisions. I.e. training them on a system which is known to preferentially award larger amounts of money to white men. What could possibly go wrong?
Reposted by Stephen Montgomery
Are you an evolutionary biologist? Would you like to support your society journal? We are looking for new editorial board members across the field of evolutionary biology:
🧬🌿🪰🐀🦀🔬🧫🦠🐟🐦🧑💻🪸🦎
Learn more and find out how to apply: jevbio.net/call-for-edi...
DEADLINE 19th January 2026 📣
🧬🌿🪰🐀🦀🔬🧫🦠🐟🐦🧑💻🪸🦎
Learn more and find out how to apply: jevbio.net/call-for-edi...
DEADLINE 19th January 2026 📣
December 4, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Are you an evolutionary biologist? Would you like to support your society journal? We are looking for new editorial board members across the field of evolutionary biology:
🧬🌿🪰🐀🦀🔬🧫🦠🐟🐦🧑💻🪸🦎
Learn more and find out how to apply: jevbio.net/call-for-edi...
DEADLINE 19th January 2026 📣
🧬🌿🪰🐀🦀🔬🧫🦠🐟🐦🧑💻🪸🦎
Learn more and find out how to apply: jevbio.net/call-for-edi...
DEADLINE 19th January 2026 📣
Reposted by Stephen Montgomery
Applications are open for @dev-journal.bsky.social 2026 Pathway to Independence (PI) programme, supporting postdocs applying for group leader positions:
Mentoring
Profile raising
Leadership training
Network building
Spread the word...
www.biologists.com/grants/devel...
Mentoring
Profile raising
Leadership training
Network building
Spread the word...
www.biologists.com/grants/devel...
Development's Pathway to Independence Programme
Our grants support and encourage the sharing of knowledge throughout the community by facilitating international collaboration, event attendance and the organisation of scientific meetings, conference...
www.biologists.com
December 3, 2025 at 6:56 AM
Applications are open for @dev-journal.bsky.social 2026 Pathway to Independence (PI) programme, supporting postdocs applying for group leader positions:
Mentoring
Profile raising
Leadership training
Network building
Spread the word...
www.biologists.com/grants/devel...
Mentoring
Profile raising
Leadership training
Network building
Spread the word...
www.biologists.com/grants/devel...
Go Dave!! @bristolbiosci.bsky.social
In our latest A-Z of the Biosciences video, Dr David Lawson talks about his role as a senior lecturer inc his research into the interactions between flowering plants and their pollinators, particularly bumblebees 🐝.
Watch the full video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QMQ...
Supported by BBSRC
Watch the full video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QMQ...
Supported by BBSRC
Letter P | Pollinator Interaction Researcher Dr Dave Lawson | A to Z of the Biosciences
YouTube video by Royal Society of Biology
www.youtube.com
December 1, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Go Dave!! @bristolbiosci.bsky.social
Reposted by Stephen Montgomery
Excited to share the latest work from the lab:
rdcu.be/eRWuD
Great team effort, led by @enriberti.bsky.social first at @unil.bsky.social and now @unifr.bsky.social; with fantastic collaborators @ribeirocarlitos.bsky.social and @dahaniel.muench.bio.
rdcu.be/eRWuD
Great team effort, led by @enriberti.bsky.social first at @unil.bsky.social and now @unifr.bsky.social; with fantastic collaborators @ribeirocarlitos.bsky.social and @dahaniel.muench.bio.
Evolution of taste processing shifts dietary preference
Nature - Calcium imaging of taste neurons and the ventral brain provides insight into evolutionary divergence of food choice in Drosophila species, supporting a role of sensorimotor processing in...
rdcu.be
November 27, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Excited to share the latest work from the lab:
rdcu.be/eRWuD
Great team effort, led by @enriberti.bsky.social first at @unil.bsky.social and now @unifr.bsky.social; with fantastic collaborators @ribeirocarlitos.bsky.social and @dahaniel.muench.bio.
rdcu.be/eRWuD
Great team effort, led by @enriberti.bsky.social first at @unil.bsky.social and now @unifr.bsky.social; with fantastic collaborators @ribeirocarlitos.bsky.social and @dahaniel.muench.bio.
Reposted by Stephen Montgomery
Wondering if insects feel pain? Here's our critique of work that looked at this in bees. We were unconvinced of the evidence, and built a model to think through these issues.
Their response is published alongside and we'll have a response to that out soon.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Their response is published alongside and we'll have a response to that out soon.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Motivational trade-offs as evidence for sentience in bees: a critique
www.sciencedirect.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Wondering if insects feel pain? Here's our critique of work that looked at this in bees. We were unconvinced of the evidence, and built a model to think through these issues.
Their response is published alongside and we'll have a response to that out soon.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Their response is published alongside and we'll have a response to that out soon.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Stephen Montgomery
@asab.org Spring, aimed at ECRs, is coming to Bristol!
Conference grant DEADLINE for Developing Country Applicants (<£2500) or anyone needing an early decision for visas (<£750) is in ONE WEEK, 1st December.
www.asab.org/conference-g...
Referee statement also needed by then! 🐝🐜🦟🦂🐠🐟🐬🦎🐸🦆🐿️🦓
Conference grant DEADLINE for Developing Country Applicants (<£2500) or anyone needing an early decision for visas (<£750) is in ONE WEEK, 1st December.
www.asab.org/conference-g...
Referee statement also needed by then! 🐝🐜🦟🦂🐠🐟🐬🦎🐸🦆🐿️🦓
November 24, 2025 at 9:14 PM
@asab.org Spring, aimed at ECRs, is coming to Bristol!
Conference grant DEADLINE for Developing Country Applicants (<£2500) or anyone needing an early decision for visas (<£750) is in ONE WEEK, 1st December.
www.asab.org/conference-g...
Referee statement also needed by then! 🐝🐜🦟🦂🐠🐟🐬🦎🐸🦆🐿️🦓
Conference grant DEADLINE for Developing Country Applicants (<£2500) or anyone needing an early decision for visas (<£750) is in ONE WEEK, 1st December.
www.asab.org/conference-g...
Referee statement also needed by then! 🐝🐜🦟🦂🐠🐟🐬🦎🐸🦆🐿️🦓