jeudi 28 janvier 2010

Primate Behavior and Ecology course in Costa Rica

Educational Organization:
El Zota Biological station and Tortuguero Reserve Cano Palma

Date Posted:
2010-01-25

Program Description:
Primate Behavior and Ecology course in Costa Rica

This month-long course is designed to teach undergraduate and graduate students the basic skills necessary to study primate behavior in the wild. Throughout this course you will learn techniques in ecological and behavioral data collection and complete an independent study on one of three primate species native to the area (Ateles geoffroyi, the black handed spider monkey; Cebus capucinus, the white-faced capuchin; Alouatta palliata, the mantled howler monkey).While our course cost may be a bit higher than some similar field courses we take pride in the fact that our students have the advantage of doing work in two forests, learn Spanish, take a few fun field trips and help educate local students.

This course will take place at two field sites. The first three weeks will be held at El Zota Biological Station, an inland tropical wet forest site comprised of primary, secondary and regenerating forest. The last week will be held at Tortuguero, a fragmented coastal lowland tropical forest comprised of riverine, palm and secondary forest areas surrounded by the the canals of Rio Tortuguero and the Atlantic Ocean.

To encourage cooperation and collaboration with local Costa Rican scholars and students, a Spanish language instructor will be on hand for Spanish lessons during the course. Participation in lessons is expected from all students.

In addition, we believe the generosity of the Costa Rican people should be rewarded for allowing us to work and visit their country; therefore a portion of the course fee will cover the high school fees of local Costa Rican students. The cost for high school is $150 dollars a year for a student in Costa Rica; however, many simply cannot afford this rate. Our hope is that this connection will foster a relationship between the field school and local students, encouraging them to work towards conservation in their own community.

Finally, we take a number of fun side trips in Costa Rica; which are hugely popular and a lot of fun. We have taken students to visit cloud forests and coffee/chocolate plantations, white water rafting, zip-lining, sea-turtle watching, and snorkeling.

Space is limited so contact us soon!

For more detailed information please contact treefieldstudies@gmail.com or lfjoachim@comcast.net

Entrance Qualifications:
College courses in biology, primatology, anthropology and or psychology or related subjects

Tuition / Fees:
$2100 US dollars

Support (scholarships, travel):
none

Start + End Dates:
June 15th to July 12th, 2010

Application Deadline:
03/5/10

Comments:
Course includes: field/class instruction, Spanish instruction, high school costs for a needy Costa Rican student, 1-3 fun field trips.

Contact Information:
Dr. Lorna Joachim
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM
USA

Website:
http://treefieldstudies.wordpress.com/

E-Mail Address:
treefieldstudies@gmail.com

Post-doctoral fellowship in neurobehavioral genetics

Hiring Organization:
University of California, Los Angeles

Date Posted:
2010-01-24

Position Description:
A two to three year postdoctoral fellowship is available in an NIH-funded international collaborative project focused on phenome-genome studies of the vervet monkey. Based in the Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics at UCLA, the position will require travel to Africa and the Caribbean, and involve coordination of the efforts of a large interdisciplinary research team. Please submit applications to Dr. Nelson Freimer at nfreimer@mednet.ucla.edu

Qualifications/Experience:
Must have a strong background in primatology or a related discipline. Of particular interest are individuals with expertise in biological samples collection, behavioral observation and assessment and/or primate medicine and welfare.

Salary/funding:
NIH support

Contact Information:
Nelson Freimer, M.D.
695 Charles E. Young Drive South, Gonda Building, Room 3506
Los Angeles 90095
USA

E-mail Address:
nfreimer@mednet.ucla.edu

mardi 26 janvier 2010

Development and verification of video tools for biodiversity monitoring

Project summary:
This project will use video monitoring of the behaviour of wild insects to answer basic questions about how natural and sexual selection act in the wild. Ideally, it will involve developing systems to automate the collection of data from video recordings of insects carrying individual tags. The overall aims will be to address questions such as how beneficial it is for females to mate with more than one male and how conflicts of interest among males and females and between parents and offspring are resolved. The basic approach will be to conduct field studies of burying beetles and possibly crickets using networks of digital video cameras to record behaviour. This will allow the student to carry out both observational and experimental studies on wild animals, something that has only rarely been done using invertebrates.

This project involves collaboration with a Cornish business supplying video camera wildlife monitoring solutions.

Visit www.exeter.ac.uk/biosciences for further information about our research.

For informal enquiries contact Professor Tom Tregenza at T.Tregenza@exeter.ac.uk

Application criteria:
Applicants should possess at least a 2:1 Honours degree, or equivalent, in either a biological or computing subject. Familiarity with programming and a willingness to develop tools for video analysis would be very advantageous, candidates with this expertise but limited biologic al qualifications are encouraged to apply. Candidates without programming expertise will also be considered if they have a very strong evolutionary biology background.

How to apply:
To apply, visit www.exeter.ac.uk/2010studentships/application and complete the online web form. You will be asked to submit some personal details and upload a full CV, covering letter, and contact details for two academic referees. Your covering letter should outline your academic interests, prior research experience and reasons for wishing to undertake this project.

For general enquiries please contact Claire Guy at C.H.Guy@exeter.ac.uk

Interviews will be held on Tuesday 23 March 2010.

Funding Notes
Three-year studentship: tuition fees (UK/EU rate only) and annual stipend at current research council rate. Due to funding restrictions this studentship is only available to UK and EU applicants.

More informations?

How does urbanization affect the abundance and diversity of species?

This project will focus on the influence of human behaviour on the dynamics and behaviour of species in urban and suburban settings. By altering the environment (e.g. through the formation of gardens, presence of water-butts) or their behaviour (e.g. providing food for wildlife, pet ownership), people can alter the abundance and diversity of species of conservation (e.g. loss of bird diversity in the UK) and potential pest status (e.g. insect vectors of disease in the tropics). As we now live in a world where the majority of people live in such environments, the potential for conflict is growing, and as a result the importance of urban ecology is now increasingly recognised. This project will allow utilise an appropriate group of organisms to allow us to understand and to develop proposals to help mitigate the conflict between urban development and biodiversity. This project can be performed in Reading, or if appropriate, in another urban setting outside of the UK.

The supervisor is Head of Environmental Biology at the University of Reading, has published extensively on interactions between species, and currently supervises three PhD students working on topics including urban conservation and management.

Some of my recent publications are listed below. I have more recently begun working with birds and mammals.

Hazell, S.P. & Fellowes, M.D.E. 2009 Clonal variation affects the structure of the natural enemy assemblage attacking an insect herbivore. Ecological Entomology 34, 34-42.

Printes, L. B., Fellowes, M.D.E. & Callaghan, A. 2008 Clonal variation in acetylcholinesterase biomarkers and life history traits following OP exposure in Daphnia magna. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 71, 519-526.

Hazell, S.P., Vel, T. & Fellowes, M.D.E. 2008 The role of exotic plants in the invasion of Seychelles by the polyphagous insect Aleurodicus disperses: a phylogenetically controlled analysis. Biological Invasions 10, 169-175

Libbrecht, R, Gwynn, D.M. & Fellowes, M.D.E. 2007 Aphidius ervi preferentially attacks the green morph of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum. Journal of Insect Behavior 20, 25-32.

Hazell, S.P., McClintock, I.A.D. & Fellowes, M.D.E. 2006 Intraspecific heritable variation in life-history traits can alter the outcome of interspecific competition among insect herbivores. Basic and Applied Ecology 7, 215-223.

Gwynn, D.M., Callaghan, A., Gorham, J., Walters, K.F.A. & Fellowes, M.D.E. 2005 Resistance is costly: trade-offs between immunity, fecundity and survival in the pea aphid. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, Series B 272, 1803-1808.

Hazell, S.P., Wenlock, C., Bachel, S. & Fellowes, M.D.E. 2005 The costs and consequences of parasitoid attack for the predatory hoverfly, Episyrphus balteatus. Evolutionary Ecology Research 7, 669-679.

Hazell, S.P., Gwynn, D.M., Ceccarelli, S. & Fellowes, M.D.E. 2005 Competition and dispersal in the pea aphid: clonal variation and correlations across traits. Ecological Entomology 30, 293-298.

Müller, C.B., Fellowes, M.D.E. & Godfray, H.C.J. 2005 Relative importance of fertilizer addition and exclusion of predators for aphid growth in the field. Oecologia 139, 419-427.

Fellowes, M.D.E., van Alphen, J.J.M. & Jervis, M. 2005 The foraging behaviour of insect natural enemies. In (Pp. 1-71) Insects as Natural Enemies: A Practical Perspective 2nd Edition (Ed. M. Jervis). Kluwer: Dordrecht.

Fellowes, M.D.E., Holloway, G.J. & Rolff, J. (Eds.) 2005 Insect Evolutionary Ecology. CABI Publishing, Wallingford.

More informations?

vendredi 22 janvier 2010

Postdoctoral positions in collective animal behaviour: experiments and computational methods

Two postdoctoral positions are available in the Collective Behaviour Group, at the Centre for Statistical Mechanics and Complexity - CNR Rome. The positions are funded by the IIT project ART-SWARM, focusing on the experimental and theoretical study of collective behaviour in bird flocks and insect swarms, and its potential applications to artificial systems.

The candidates will work under the supervision of Irene Giardina and Andrea Cavagna. Information on our collective behaviour research can be found at:

http://www.smc.infm.it/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=45&Itemid=103

A more thorough description of the candidates profiles and of the project's aims can be found below.

Each position is for 1+1 year, starting as early as March 2010 and not later than October 2010. Salary will be in line with Marie Curie (EC) standards. Applicants should send CV, publications list, research interests, and at least two recommendation letters to:

Dr Irene Giardina (subject: postdoc ART-SWARM)
irene.giardina@roma1.infn.it

In order to receive full consideration applications should arrive within February 28, 2010.


------------------------

Both candidates must have a strong interest in collective phenomena in the physical and/or biological sciences. Although the two postdocs will work in a highly integrated fashion, the two positions have different and complementary scientific profiles:


Position 1: EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF 3d COLLECTIVE ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR

The postdoc will be part of an experimental team of 3 people; ideally (but not necessarily) he/she will be the team leader. Work will include: setting up a new experimental apparatus for 3d swarm reconstruction; calibration and testing; preparatory field observations; field data-taking; data analysis.

* Prerequisites: background in either experimental physics, or experimental biology, or engineering; good computer skills.

* Bonuses (by no means necessary):
- field work
- Unix/Linux knowledge
- camera/video equipment
- practical stereoscopy
- electronics
- mechanics lab equipment

------------------------

Position 2: COMPUTATIONAL METHODS FOR 3d COLLECTIVE ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR

The postdoc will work on the computational tools needed to perform the 3d reconstruction, i.e. to transform the experimental digital images in a 3d data set. He/she will also work on dynamical tracking, in order to produce the full individual trajectories. Finally, the 3d data will be analyzed looking for new biological patterns.

* Prerequisites: background in either statistical physics or computer science; strong programming experience in C++; excellent Unix/Linux knowledge; basic script programming experience (Python/Pearl/...).

* Bonuses (by no means necessary):
- computer vision
- 3d reconstruction
- image processing
- optimization
- montecarlo methods
- numerical simulations
- html/php/sql
- openCV

------------------------

Project ART-SWARM
From self-organized animal groups to distributed artificial swarms: exporting natural behavioral rules to mobile robotics


The study of self-organization and collective behavior encompasses fields as diverse as statistical physics, ethology, mathematical biology, control theory, and cooperative robotics. Three-dimensional animal aggregations, as bird flocks, fish schools and insect swarms, provide wonderful examples of emergent self-organization. The major issue, both for theoretical studies and for technological applications, is to understand how self-organization emerges within a system with distributed intelligence. Several multi-agent models of locking and swarming exist, which produce collective behavior starting from simple rules followed by the individuals. Yet, due to the lack of 3D large-scale data, these models are hardly tested against quantitative observations. Moreover, the rules of interaction among the agents are guessed on the basis of common sense, rather than being quantitatively modelled on empirical observations. This is a severe limit. In biological groups individual strategies are selected by evolution to achieve functioning and overall efficiency at collective level. Thus, empirically based information on these
strategies would not only lead to more appropriate models, but also help to design optimal control strategies in artificial systems.

This project has the following objectives:

1. Observe. We will perform quantitative field studies of bird flocks and insect swarms. Using innovative techniques in computer vision, we will reconstruct individual 3D positions and dynamical trajectories in cohesive aggregations of thousands of animals.

2. Understand. By analyzing the data, our aim is to unveil the laws of self-organization and collective behavior in 3D animal aggregations. Spatial and dynamical correlations among the individuals will provide a full characterization of the rules of interaction in the animal groups considered.

3. Discover. Dealing with several species and phyla, endowed with specific individual abilities and facing different collective tasks, we will investigate the crucial link between sensory/cognitive functions and behavioral strategies, and determine how individual cognition regulates group coordination.

4. Model. We will exploit the insight gained from empirical data as an input to develop new 3D models of animal collective behavior. The tools will be multi-agent theory and mathematical biology. Models output will be quantitatively tested against 3D data.

5. Export. We will design new schemes of distributed control quantitatively modelled on 3D animal behavior. Target applications will be cooperative mobile robotics for environmental monitoring, and nanorobotics for medical applications.


------------------------------------

Irene Giardina
SMC-INFM, Department of Physics, University of Rome La Sapienza, P.le A. Moro 2, 00185 Rome, Italy
ISC-CNR, Via dei Taurini 19, 00185 Roma, Italy
tel: 0039-06-49937460 (ISC) fax: 0039-06-49937440 (ISC) fax: 0039-06-4957697 (Dept.)
irene.giardina@roma1.infn.it irene.giardina@gmail.com
http://www.smc.infm.it http://chimera.roma1.infn.it/IRENE

Field assistants in Evolutionary Ecology of Nightingales

Four field assistant positions are available in an international research project on communication and evolutionary ecology of nightingales (Luscinia megarhynchos).

The project is run by the Research Station Petite Camargue Alsacienne, University of Basel (www.camargue.unibas.ch, PD Dr. Valentin Amrhein) and the Netherlands Institute of Ecology, NIOO-KNAW (www.nioo.knaw.nl, Prof. Dr. Marc Naguib).

Fieldwork will be done from April to May 2010, at the Research Station Petite Camargue Alsacienne in France (www.camargue.unibas.ch), and at a study site near Bologna, Italy.

Field assistants will participate in systematic surveys of territory settlement and in an extensive radio telemetry study. Field work will include nocturnal bicycle trips, and field assistants are expected to work on their own at night and in the early morning.

Field assistants will receive 1000 euros for the entire field season, which should cover travel and food expenses. Applicants are expected to stay for the entire field season from the beginning of April until the end of May. The language at the study sites will be English.

The positions will be filled as soon as possible. Applications should be in English and should include, in one single pdf or word file, a curriculum vitae and a letter of motivation. Please provide names and email addresses of two persons who are willing to write a letter of recommendation, and send applications by email to the following address:

Valentin Amrhein
v.amrhein@t-online.de

[poste] recrutement universitaire

Par arrêté de la ministre de l'enseignement supérieur et de la recherche en date du 6 janvier 2010, le recrutement de professeurs des universités est autorisé, pour pourvoir à des emplois jusqu'au 31 décembre 2010 et dans la limite de 1 410 emplois. Ces emplois sont, dans les mêmes conditions, offerts à la mutation et au détachement. Le recrutement de maîtres de conférences est autorisé pour pourvoir à des emplois jusqu'au 31 décembre 2010 et dans la limite de 2 203 emplois. Ces emplois sont, dans les mêmes conditions, offerts à la mutation et au détachement.

Les emplois offerts en application des deux paragraphes ci-dessus sont soit vacants, soit susceptibles d'être vacants. Chaque emploi et ses caractéristiques sont publiés par les établissements où ces emplois sont à pourvoir sur un site internet du inistère de l'enseignement supérieur et de la recherche accessible à partir de l'adresse suivante :
http://www.enseignementsup-recherche.gouv.fr, rubrique « Emploi dans l'enseignement supérieur », puis « GALAXIE ».

ou

https://www.galaxie.enseignementsup-recherche.gouv.fr/ensup/candidats.html

jeudi 21 janvier 2010

L'INRA recrute 62 chercheurs (L'Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique )

L’Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (Inra) est un organisme public de recherche scientifique finalisée, réunissant plus de 10 000 agents sur l’ensemble du territoire national. Premier institut de recherche agronomique en Europe, ses recherches concernent les questions liées à l'agriculture, à l'alimentation et à la sécurité des aliments, à l'environnement et à la gestion des territoires, avec un accent tout particulier en faveur du développement durable.

En 2010, l'Inra recrute 62 chercheurs par voie de concours. Ces recrutements sont ouverts dans des disciplines scientifiques variées telles que la biochimie, la biologie moléculaire, la génomique, la génétique, la nutrition humaine et animale, la microbiologie, l’écologie, l’agronomie, la biologie cellulaire, la physiologie, la modélisation, les mathématiques, l’économie, la sociologie, l’immunologie, les milieux naturels et bien d’autres encore…

Les inscriptions sont ouvertes jusqu'au 26 février 2010.

Toutes les informations utiles pour candidater (profils, guides du candidat, dossiers de candidature) sont disponibles sur le site Web de l’Inra : www.inra.fr

Pour toute question, vous pouvez adresser votre message à : concours_chercheurs@paris.inra.fr

Faculty Teaching and Research Assistant in EEG Measures of Animal Welfare

Department of Animal and Avian Sciences
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742

Salary: up to $66,000 per year

Closing Date: February 1, 2010

Qualifications:
The person must be knowledgeable, experienced and otherwise capable of conducting research in electroencephalographic (EEG) data collection and analyses in investigation of welfare of cattle. Additionally, the position will require the person to participate in teaching a senior-level course in “Animal Welfare and Bioethics” and a university honors course in “Applied and Cognitive Ethology.” The candidate must have a PhD, DVM or equivalent degree. An individual with previous experience in veterinary clinical practice or comparable experience in the handing and care of large domestic animals is preferred. Research and teaching experience in animal welfare-related issues is necessary. Excellent analytical/problem-solving and statistical skills are essential. The person must have experience working with ERP analysis and development from EEG data. Preference will be given to individuals with advanced training in ethics and policy with a degree such as an M.S. or MPH – or equivalent experience. Experience with the use of lasers in studies of pain in farm animal is also preferred. Evidence of ability to obtain competitive grant funding is desirable. This is a non-tenure position that ends September 1, 2011 with the possibility of it being extended based on funding.

A cover letter and résumé that clearly indicates how the candidate meets the above qualifications should be submitted to:


W.R. Stricklin
Department of Animal and Avian Sciences
University of Maryland
College
Park, MD 20742


Phone: 301-405-7044 Fax: (301) 314-9146
Email: wrstrick@umd.edu

Field Assistants for Gelada Monkey Research in the Ethiopian Highlands

Hiring Organization:
Dr. Peter Fashing & Dr. Nga Nguyen (California State University Fullerton)

Date Posted:
2010-01-17

Position Description:
TWO field assistants are needed for a study of the behavior, ecology, endocrinology, and conservation of wild gelada monkeys (Theropithecus gelada) at a remote, semi-permanent field site in north-central Ethiopia called Guassa. The study is being carried out by Dr. Peter Fashing and Dr. Nga Nguyen. The field assistants will be responsible for (a) collecting basic demographic and reproductive data as part of routine monitoring of the well-habituated study population, (b) conducting focal animal samples and collecting fecal samples from individually-recognized geladas (for later laboratory steroid hormone analysis in the USA), (c) recording GPS readings of gelada ranging locations, as well as (d) conducting vegetation monitoring and (e) walking census transects. The two field assistants will share a camp and research responsibilities while at Guassa.

The study area consists of 111km2 of hilly Afro-alpine grassland situated at 3,200-3,600 meters above sea level along the eastern edge of the Ethiopian highlands and affords spectacular views out over the Great Rift Valley nearly a mile below. A number of animals endemic to the Ethiopian highlands occur at Guassa including geladas and the critically endangered Ethiopian wolf, Canis simensis, the world’s rarest canid. The gelada population at Guassa has been studied on a near daily basis since 2006 and most individuals in the main 220-member study band are habituated to observers at distances of 2-5 meters.

For more information on the project, please see the following website:

http://anthro.fullerton.edu/gelada/

To see photos of the field site, please see the following link:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28986636@N08/sets/72157606423060996/

Recent field assistants have gone on to pursue graduate studies (Master’s or Ph.D. in Anthropology or Biology) at Penn State University, Stony Brook University, and Cal State Fullerton. For profiles of recent GGRP field assistants and their subsequent graduate school pursuits, please see the following link:

http://anthro.fullerton.edu/gelada/people.htm

Qualifications/Experience:
Applicants should have a B.S. or B.A in Biology, Biological Anthropology, or a related field. Good physical fitness and a willingness to walk long distances (6-12 km) each day are essential to working at Guassa where the terrain is hilly, the air thin (due to the high elevation), and the geladas wide-ranging. Experience with winter camping and life in cold climates preferred since the successful applicants will be living in (spacious) tents at a location where nights are sometimes below freezing (as low as 19ºF though 33-36ºF is more typical) and days are often chilly (45-60ºF) and windy (10-60 km/hr) as well. Our campsite is situated on an isolated patch of pristine Afroalpine grassland far from human habitation and applicants must be highly self-sufficient (the nearest town, Mehal Meda, is 22 kilometers away from camp, we do not own a vehicle, and contact with other English-speakers is rare). Field assistants will live in a semi-permanent campsite with 2 Ethiopian staff with limited English language skills. Prior travel and/or field experience in Africa or mountainous regions of Asia or South America preferred. Applicants must be fluent in English and eager to learn Amharic (the national language of Ethiopia).

Salary/funding:
None.

Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
Research assistants will be provided with basic accommodation, food and other basic supplies while at the field site. However, applicants must pay their own international travel to Addis Ababa ( $1,500-$2,000 from the USA) and are responsible for any additional expenses incurred while traveling in Ethiopia, including travel to and from the field site and Addis every few months (to buy supplies, see a movie, etc.). Buses to Addis (300 km from Guassa or 10 bumpy hours travel) are inexpensive ($10 each way) and run almost daily from Mehal Meda. Camp is located a few miles walk from the road where you can catch the bus after a one or more hour wait. Luxury food items such as chocolates, cookies and canned tuna may be purchased in Addis at the volunteer's expense. Our semi-permanent camp is remote but comfortable, with large walk-in tents, beds, solar electricity to power a small freezer, lights and a laptop computer, mobile telephone service for receiving calls from abroad and making calls within Ethiopia, satellite telephone for emergencies, and email by satellite modem 2-3 times a week. Travel health insurance is strongly recommended; volunteers are required to acquire the necessary vaccinations prior to entry to Ethiopia. Volunteers are required to provide their own winter/alpine condition clothing, footwear and sleeping bag. Advice about what items are necessary for life at Guassa can be provided upon request.

Term of Appointment:
13 months starting mid-to-late May 2010. Because the training process requires 2-4 months, assistants must be willing to work for a minimum of 13-months. We work in teams of twos and each researcher typically spends two to three days in the field with the geladas and one day at camp helping with camp chores and data entry and checking (we download and proof each day’s data onto the camp computer at the end of each field day). We expect the successful applicant to be a keen observer and a diligent and conscientious student of animal behavior. Volunteers must be willing to work in a small team setting and have demonstrated a willingness to follow instructions/protocols closely in the past. We expect detailed updates from the field at least twice each week by email to keep us updated on conditions/progress in the field.

Application Deadline:
Positions will remain open until filled.

Comments:
To apply, please submit (1) a letter of interest stating how and why this position satisfies your interest and future career goals, explaining your suitability for this project, plus a time frame during which you are available to work, (2) a CV or resume detailing relevant experience, (3) a summary of college courses taken and the grades received, to be followed by an official transcript, and (4) contact information for at least two references, preferably at least one academic reference as well as one person who has worked closely with you or who has closely supervised your work. The subject heading of the email message should read: “Application for field research position”. Please email the following materials to Dr. Peter Fashing at peterfashing@gmail.com.

Contact Information:
Peter Fashing
Department of Anthropology, California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA 92834
USA

Telephone Number:
(657)-278-3977

Website:
http://anthro.fullerton.edu/gelada/

E-mail Address:
peterfashing@gmail.com

mardi 19 janvier 2010

Jeu de l'ultimatum, partage d'offres monétaires, Paris, fin : 26 janv. 2010

Sacha BOURGEOIS-GIRONDE (estremler [ à ] gmail.com) propose une expérience

Dédommagement : oui

Jeu de l'ultimatum (partage d'offres monétaires) joué en ligne avec des partenaires à distance.
La durée est de 20-25'.
Vous êtes rémunéré sur la base de votre performance dans le jeu.
L'expérience a lieu à l'Institut Jean-Nicod, ENS, 29 rue d'Ulm Paris 5e.

contact pour un rv jeudi 21, vendredi 22, lundi 25, mardi 26 janvier 2010 : estremler [ à ] gmail.com

Quand un rendez-vous est pris, nous vous serons reconnaissant d'avertir rapidement les chercheurs de tout contre-temps, afin qu'ils puissent s'organiser autrement.

Field Assistant: Male Competition and Cooperation in Barbary Macaques in Morocco

Hiring Organization:
University of Göttingen

Date Posted:
2010-01-14

Position Description:
We are looking for research assistants to join a PhD project investigating competition and cooperation in male wild Barbary macaques in the middle atlas mountains, Morocco. The project will focus on male reproductive competition and consequences for social relationships and stress physiology. The position will involve habituation and identification of wild Barbary macaques as well as detailed behavioural and physiological data collection. Hormonal sample collection will also be required. The position is for a period of 12 months. The principle investigator for the project is Christopher Young undertaking a PhD supervised by Prof. Julia Ostner of the University of Göttingen, Germany and Dr Bonaventura Majolo of the University of Lincoln.

The work at the field site is physically very demanding. The field site is between 1,400 and 1,900m a.s.l. and weather conditions can vary dramatically across the year, with temperature ranging between 35ºC to -5ºC and snow in the winter months. Hence, interested individuals should be physically fit and have previous experience with field work in remote areas. The successful applicant will live in the town of Azrou in an apartment block with basic amenities including internet access.

Qualifications/Experience:
Previous field experience is desirable but not essential. However, priority will be given to applicants who have experience of behavioural and physiological data collection on wild and/or free-ranging primates. Applicants should have prior experience working in physically demanding environmental conditions and also experience of living away from friends and family for a prolonged period. A strong interest in primatolgical research is a must.

In addition applicants should:
• Be mentally and physically fit for long days in the field in a challenging environment.
• Be prepared to adapt to living in a foreign culture.
• Be able to speak English (French/Arabic beneficial).
• Be adaptable and able to work both as part of a team and individually.
• Be reliable, patient, enthusiastic and committed to scientific research.
• Driving license is desirable.
• Experience using handheld computer behavioural data entry is desirable but training will be provided.

Salary/funding:
No salary will be provided at this time, however an application for further funding is pending which if accepted would give a small stipend the assistant. Currently though this cannot be guaranteed until a funding decision has been made.

Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
The costs associated with accommodation and travel to and from the field site will be covered by me. Basic living expenses are to be covered by the applicant and should cost approximately £25 - 30 per week. The successful applicant should cover their own health and travel insurance and flights to the field site. The current funding application if accepted would provide one return flight for the successful applicant but again currently this cannot be guaranteed.

Term of Appointment:
A commitment of 12 months is required with the position starting around the 1st of March. A review of applicants will start immediately and will continue until the position is filled. We do intend to fill the position as soon as possible but this is a long running project so all applications are welcome. A further position is required to begin in August for approximately 8 months so applications for this position are also welcome but currently priority is given to the position starting in March.

Application Deadline:
Until position is filled.

Comments:
In order to apply please email a cover letter explaining pervious experience, interest and suitability to the position along with a CV (including details of 2 referees) and details of your availability. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions.

Contact Information:
Chris Young
The Courant Research Center Evolution of Social Behavior, Göttingen University
Göttingen 37077
Germany

Telephone Number:
+447708526542

Website:
http://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/92425.html

E-mail Address:
chrisyoung1888@hotmail.co.uk

jeudi 14 janvier 2010

Etude en ligne

Dans le cadre de la préparation d'une étude portant sur l'évaluation d'une intervention motivationnelle pour promouvoir l'activité physique chez les travailleurs sédentaires et ses bénéfices sur la santé physique et mentale, je réalise la validation d'une version française de plusieurs questionnaires existants, et j'ai besoin de votre aide.

Pourriez-vous prendre quelques minutes pour répondre au questionnaire d'activité physique que vous trouverez sur la page web: http://lvep.psp.ucl.ac.be/doris1/enquetes/0186/activite_physique

Pourriez-vous également transférer cette information à un maximum de vos contacts (âgés entre 18 et 65 ans).

Eeckhout Coralie
PhD student
University of Louvain, Department of Psychology
Research Unit for Emotion, Cognition and Health (ECSA)
10, Place du Cardinal Mercier
B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve
Tel: +32(0)10 47 86 83
Bureau d251
E-mail: coralie.eeckhout@uclouvain.be

mardi 12 janvier 2010

Theory of mind in children and adults

"Theory of mind" is the ability to reason about what other people think, know, intend and desire. There are significant developments in these abilities between the ages of 2 and 7 years, and recent work has also found precocious abilities in young infants. In comparison, the abilities of older children and adults are poorly understood, even though there clearly are changes in everyday social reasoning abilities beyond the age of 7. PhD projects in this area will develop methods suitable for testing theory of mind reasoning in older children and/or adults, with potential for extending these behavioural methods by using them in combination with eye tracking or recordings of Event Related Potentials (ERP/EEG).

More information about the work going on in this lab can be found here:

http://www.ianapperly.eclipse.co.uk/


Key words: THEORY OF MIND, PERSPECTIVE TAKING, EXECUTIVE FUNCTION, DEVELOPMENT, COGNITION, NEUROIMAGING

Funding Notes
Up to 10 fully funded PhD studentships are available. For more information see:
http://www.psychology.bham.ac.uk/postgraduate/scholarships.shtml

Applications are welcomed all year round, but we strongly encourage applications by the end of March to allow an early decision on funding.

Apperly, I.A. & Butterfill, S.A, (2009). Do humans have two systems to track beliefs and belief-like states? Psychological Review, 116(4), 953-970.
Apperly, I.A., Samson, D., & Humphreys, G.W. (2009). Studies of adults can inform accounts of theory of mind development. Developmental Psychology, 45(1), 190-201.

More information

Field assistant for Lomas Barbudal Monkey Project, Costa Rica

Hiring Organization:
UCLA

Date Posted:
2010-01-09

Position Description:
The Lomas Barbudal Capuchin Project has been running for 20 years, and (funding permitting) will continue for many years to come. Each year we accept about 6 interns who stay a full year and participate in data collection. The project currently monitors 11 social groups of monkeys. Virtually all monkeys are well habituated, and their genetic relationships are known, as well as social histories dating back several years in most cases. The primary focus of research currently is life histories, particularly male migration strategies and female counter-strategies to infanticide.
Application instructions are on the following website:
http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/anthro/faculty/sperry/jobs.html
Please read the detailed guide to working on the monkey project BEFORE applying or contacting the project, as this will answer virtually all questions. Applicants are also strongly encouraged to read the book "Manipulative Monkeys: The Capuchins of Lomas Barbudal," which is a popular science book documenting not only the first 15 years of scientific research, but the life style of researchers working at this site.

Qualifications/Experience:
There are no absolute criteria, and we try to hire people with a blend of different talents. But some traits that help are good grades (>3.3 GPA), some prior Spanish training, computer skills, auto mechanic skills, and prior experience studying animal behavior and working in the field.

Salary/funding:
None. Though the field manager position (which pays a real salary in addition to room and board) is always someone selected from the pool of former or current interns. When the project is well funded, it is sometimes possible to pay interns a small amount of money ($100/month) to help defray incidental expenses.

Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
Room and board are provided, though interns must feed themselves when away on vacation. Upon completion of the 1-year contract, interns qualify for a travel refund of up to $1000 for their plane fares.

Term of Appointment:
Minimum one year. Start dates are flexible.

Application Deadline:
Rolling deadlines: Try to apply at least 3 months before desired start date. The first two internships will start in late February/early March 2010.

Comments:
These internships are excellent preparation for graduate school. Interns who finish their terms virtually always receive admission to high quality graduate programs.

Contact Information:
Susan Perry
Dept. of Anthropology, Box 951553, UCLA
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1553
USA

Telephone Number:
310-267-4338

Fax Number:
310-206-7833

Website:
http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/anthro/faculty/sperry

E-mail Address:
sperry@anthro.ucla.edu

samedi 9 janvier 2010

Research Support Enrichment Associate

Hiring Organization:
SNBL USA, SRC

Date Posted:
2010-01-08

Position Description:
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Implements environmental enrichment plan for all facility animals by performing the following duties.

ESSENTIAL WORK ACTIVITIES: Other duties may be assigned.
1. Maintains Good Laboratory Practices (GLP).
2. Documents compliance with environmental enrichment Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
3. Ensures that scheduled animal enrichment is in compliance with research projects by reviewing study protocols and schedules.
4. Prepares and distributes enrichment items to all animals housed at SNBL USA SRC.
5. Works with the veterinary staff and management staff to perform animal socialization and completes related documentation.
6. Maintains colony data (paper and electronic) as per USDA requirements and SNBL USA SRC policies.
7. Orders and maintains inventory of enrichment items.
8. Assists with developing, reviewing and revising environmental enrichment SOPs and forms.
9. Assists with developing and evaluating new enrichment items or methods for implementation at SNBL USA SRC.

Qualifications/Experience:
To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:
High School Diploma

LANGUAGE SKILLS:
The language skills required include, but are not limited to: the ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, software manuals, study documents, and procedure manuals; the ability to write routine reports and correspondence; and the ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization.

MATH SKILLS:
The math skills required include, but are not limited to: a working knowledge of basic math skills.

OTHER SKILLS:
Additional skills required include, but are not limited to: general reading, writing, and oral communication skills; ability to work independently and with groups.

REASONING ABILITY:
The reasoning abilities required include, but are not limited to: the ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables; the ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form; and the ability to demonstrate attention to detail.

TRAINING:
Training needs for this position may include non-human primate behavior and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and the Animal Welfare Act.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:
No certificates, licenses or registration required.


WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Normal office setting; the noise level in the work environment is generally moderate. The employee may be exposed to bio-hazardous materials.

Contact Information:
Ashley Stence
2103 FM 625
Alice, TX 78332
USA

Telephone Number:
361-664-8844

Fax Number:
361-664-8855

Website:
http://www.snblusa.com

E-mail Address:
astence@snblusa.com

Volunteer PR Assistant

Hiring Organization:
The Great Apes Film Initiative

Date Posted:
2010-01-04

Position Description:
The Great Apes Film Initiative (GAFI) is an innovative, grass-roots based organisation that uses the power of film to promote great ape conservation. By engaging and inspiring people to create local and sustainable solutions to the problems facing great apes and their environments around the world, GAFI hopes to ensure the survival of endangered species and ecosystems.

GAFI are currently seeking a Volunteer PR Assistant to help promote and market GAFI’s work.

Please send a current CV with a cover letter outlining previous experience and how you feel GAFI would benefit from your experience to the email address below.

For more information please contact Suzanne Turnock at suzanne.turnock@googlemail.com

Qualifications/Experience:
Relevant experience required.

Salary/funding:
This is a voluntary position.

Application Deadline:
28th February 2010

Comments:
This position is home-based. The GAFI team meet on a regular basis in London.

Contact Information:
Suzanne Turnock
United Kingdom

Website:
http://www.gafi4apes.org/

E-mail Address:
suzanne.turnock@googlemail.com

Baboon and Vervet Monkey keepers (volunteer)

Hiring Organization:
Wilmar Primate Rescue Centre

Date Posted:
2010-01-05

Position Description:
Looking for volunteers to have a wonderful experience working with our rescued primates.

Qualifications/Experience:
None required.

Salary/funding:
You must pay for your lodging food and resource use; 100 pounds (GBP) per week. Plus a one of payment of 60 pounds (GBP) to cover petrol costs from Bloemfontein airport to the sanctuary

If you come before April you only pay half of this.

Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
You must pay for your lodging food and resource use; 100 pounds (GBP) per week to cover petrol costs from Bloemfontein airport to the sanctuary.

You must fly to joburg then Bloemfontein and we will pick you up from there. Included in your payment is basic food, lodgings, hot water, electricity and hot water!

If you come before April you only pay half of this.

Term of Appointment:
as long/short as you wish.

Application Deadline:
none

Comments:
please visit website for more info!

Contact Information:
Samantha Dewhirst
37 Claremont Road
Dorset bh9 3es
South Africa

Telephone Number:
447894644244

Website:
http://www.wilmaranimalsanctuary.org

E-mail Address:

samanthadewhirst@hotmail.com

Volunteer Website Designer

Hiring Organization:
The Great Apes Film Initiative

Date Posted:
2010-01-04

Position Description:
The Great Apes Film Initiative(GAFI) is an innovative, grass-roots based organisation that uses the power of film to promote great ape conservation. By engaging and inspiring people to create local and sustainable solutions to the problems facing great apes and their environments around the world, GAFI hopes to ensure the survival of endangered species and ecosystems.

GAFI are currently seeking a Volunteer Website Designer responsible for the layout, visual appearance and usability of our website: www.gafi4apes.org. This role will involve working closely with the Volunteer Website Content Manager.

Please send a current CV with a cover letter outlining previous experience and how you feel GAFI would benefit from your experience to the email address below.

For more information please contact Suzanne Turnock at suzanne.turnock@googlemail.com

Qualifications/Experience:
Experience in website design required

Salary/funding:
This is a voluntary position.

Application Deadline:
28th February 2010

Comments:
This position is home-based. The GAFI team meet on a regular basis in London.

Contact Information:
Suzanne Turnock
United Kingdom

Website:
http://www.gafi4apes.org/

E-mail Address:
suzanne.turnock@googlemail.com

Summer Apprentice

Hiring Organization:
Chimpanzee & Human Communication Institute

Date Posted:
2010-01-06

Position Description:
The research at the Chimpanzee & Human Communication Institute (CHCI) involves chimpanzees who use the signs of American Sign Language (ASL). Washoe, Moja, Tatu, and Dar were part of the cross-fostering research that began in 1966 with Drs. R.A. & B.T. Gardner. Each chimpanzee was raised in an enriched environment in which his or her human family members used only ASL, much like the environment in which a deaf human child grows up. Loulis was adopted by Washoe in 1978 and learned his signs from chimpanzees. Currently, Tatu, Dar, and Loulis reside at CHCI on the campus of Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA in a large state-of-the-art facility.

Apprentices are at the institute daily -- cleaning enclosures, preparing meals and enrichment, making observations of the chimpanzees, and participating in one or more research projects. The first week is intensive training in laboratory jobs and chimpanzee behaviors. After several weeks each apprentice becomes more autonomous and has responsibilities in research and husbandry. The philosophy of CHCI is that the needs of the chimpanzees come first. Apprentices are trained in humane care and research techniques.

Qualifications/Experience:
Must be 18 years or older. Must have 1 year of university or college level education. A course in ASL is highly recommended but not required. Graduates, undergraduates, and post-graduates from various academic backgrounds (e.g. Anthropology, Biology, Psychology, Linguistics, Philosophy, etc.) and all nationalities are encouraged to apply.

Salary/funding:
The program fee is $1800 and there is a non-refundable $25 application processing fee.

Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
The program fee does not include the cost of housing or travel

Term of Appointment:
June 27 - August 20, 2010

Application Deadline:
March 15, 2010

Contact Information:
Dr. Mary Lee Jensvold
400 E. University Way
Ellensburg, WA 98926-7573
USA

Telephone Number:
509-963-2215

Fax Number:
509-963-2234

Website:
http://www.cwu.edu/~cwuchci

E-mail Address:
jensvold@cwu.edu

vendredi 8 janvier 2010

jeux video, Paris, fin d'appel : 15 janv. 2010

Le laboratoire LUTIN UMS 2809 organise une série d'expériences portant sur l'expérience émotionnelle dans les jeux vidéo. Nous recrutons des volotontaires pour jouer à un jeu d'action pendant des sessions de 30 minutes avec enregistrement de paramètres physiologiques tels que la fréquence cardiaque et la fréquence respiratoire.

Informations pratiques sur l'expérience:

Nous recherchons des personnes d'âge compris entre 18 et 40 ans, ayant déjà une expérience des jeux vidéo bien qu'une grande expertise ne soit pas recquise, familier avec la manipulation d'une manette de console et l'orientation dans un environnement virtuel.

Lieu et dates de déroulement de l'expérience:

L'expérience se déroule à la Cité des Sciences et de l'industrie (ligne 7: Porte de la Villette), au laboratoire LUTIN situé à l'étage -2. Les expériences sont prévues le lundi et le jeudi, de 10h jusqu'à 19h. Les expériences débutent la semaine du 11 février et se termineront vers la fin février.

Déroulement de l'expérience:

L'expérience commencera par la pose des différents capteurs permettant le recueil des mesures biologiques. Le jeu proposé est Halo3, dans lequel on proposera différentes petites séquences, suivies d'un bref questionnaire d'évaluation affective. L'expérience dure au total environ 40 mn.
Pour participer à l'expérience ou pour toute information complémentaire, merci de me contacter à l'adresse suivante : lutin.tests [ à ] gmail.com , et de me communiquer vos nom, prénom, âge, sexe et numéro de téléphone.

Malheureusement, nous ne pouvons rémunérer nos participants.

Bien cordialement

Florent
Florent Levillain
Laboratoire "Cognitions Humaine et Artificielle" - CHART
LUTIN - UMS 2809 (CNRS)
O6.98.86.51.42


Quand un rendez-vous est pris, nous vous serons reconnaissant
d'avertir rapidement les chercheurs de tout contre-temps, afin qu'ils
puissent s'organiser autrement.

jeudi 7 janvier 2010

Colloque annuel SFECA, 31 mars-2 avril,Toulouse

Première circulaire
Colloque annuel SFECA

Mercredi 31 Mars – Vendredi 02 Avril 2010 - Toulouse

Co-organisé par les laboratoires : Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale (CRCA), Evolution et Diversité Biologique (EDB) et Comportement et Ecologie de la Faune Sauvage (CEFS)

Adresse web du colloque : http://cognition.ups-tlse.fr/SFECA2010/index.html

Contacts :
Richard Bon :
Tel : 05 61 55 69 13, Fax : 05 61 55 61 54, rbon [ à ] cict.fr
Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale, UMR 5169, UFR SVT,
Université Paul Sabatier, 118 route de Narbonne, F-31062 Toulouse cedex 03

Comité d’organisation local:
P. Blanchard, R. Bon, A. Dussutour, V. Fourcassié, J. Gautrais, R. Jeanson, C. Jost,
J.P. Lachaud, G. Latil, M.-L. Maublanc, G. Théraulaz.
Contact: sfeca.2010 [ à ] cict.fr

Comité scientifique :
E. Danchin, F.X. Dechaume-Moncharmont, J.F. Gérard, G. Gheuzi, M. Giurfa, O. Petit, C. Rivault.

Thème scientifique:
Le thème scientifique général du colloque « Comportements collectifs et évolution ». Cependant le colloque pourra accueillir également des communications couvrant d’autres domaines du comportement animal lors de sessions hors-thème.

Liste des invités :
Jean Clobert (Station d’écologie expérimentale de Moulis)
Philippe Grandcolas (Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle de Paris)
Nicolas Mathevon (Université de Saint-Etienne)
Robert Page (Arizona State University, USA)
Elisabetta Visalberghi (CNR, Rome, Italie)

Lieu du congrès :
Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle de Toulouse, 35 allées Jules Guesde, F-31000 Toulouse

Modalités d’accès voir http://www.museum.toulouse.fr
Les informations pratiques concernant les modalités d'inscription et la soumission des résumés seront communiquées dans une deuxième circulaire qui vous sera envoyée à la mi-janvier.
Nous vous remercions par avance de diffuser le plus largement possible cette information auprès des membres de vos laboratoires.

mercredi 6 janvier 2010

Hexadoc

Le site www.hexadoc.fr propose désormais un module d'offres d'emploi (thèses, postdoc, CDI).
Vous êtes un recruteur : déposer vos offres d'emploi, consultez les profils, faîtes des recherches par mots clés.
Vous êtes à la recherche d'une opportunité, inscrivez vous et remplissez votre profil.
Les inscriptions comme le dépôt des offres d'emploi sont gratuits.

mardi 5 janvier 2010

L’ASSOCIATION POUR LE CHEVAL DE PRZEWALSKI : TAKH, RECRUTE UN ASSISTANT DE TERRAIN VOLONTAIRE EN MONGOLIE « REINTRODUCTION DU CHEVAL DE PRZEWALSKI »

Contexte
A travers la sauvegarde et l’étude de l’espèce porte-drapeau qu’est le cheval de Przewalski, l’association TAKH mène un projet de conservation intégré alliant la restauration de steppes, de zones humides et la protection des espèces menacées qui leurs sont liés, à la promotion d’un développement durable.

Mission
La mission du volontaire s’insère directement dans l’objectif premier de l’association : la réintroduction des chevaux de Przewalski.
- Observation quotidienne des chevaux et relevé de données: condition sanitaire, utilisation de l’habitat, comportement social.
- Saisie des données dans la base de données de l’association.
- Rédaction de rapports mensuels.

Participation éventuelle aux autres activités de l’association (relevés de végétation, recensement de gazelles et oiseaux…).

Travail quotidien avec les gardes mongols et les autres employés en Mongolie.
Sous la direction de la coordinatrice de l’association, et de l’assistante de recherche présente en Mongolie.

Durée de le mission :
1 an (mars 2010 à mars 2011)

Profil
Bac + 2 min. En écologie / biologie (une spécialisation en ethologie est un plus).

Maîtrise de l’anglais absolument indispensable.
Permis de conduire international indispensable.
Connaissance des logiciels Excel et Access.

Une expérience dans les soins aux chevaux est indispensable et devra être justifiée.
Expérience d’observation des animaux dans un cadre scientifique souhaitable.

Formation préalable
Formation avec le Service de Coopération au Développement.
Cours de langue mongole à l’arrivée.


Indemnisation
Indemnité mensuelle de 500 euros .

Conditions de travail
Durée du contrat : un an (mars 2010 à février 2011).
Statut : accord de volontariat de solidarité internationale (portage par le Service de Coopération au Développement (www.scd.asso.fr).
Lieu de travail : site de lâcher de l’association à Seer, Mongolie (campement de yourtes) – 300 km de Khovd (1 journée de trajet).
Congés : 6 semaines consécutives avec un billet aller retour pour la France payé par l’association.
Déplacement mensuel à Khovd pour s’équiper et communiquer.
Cours de langue mongole à l’arrivée.

Conditions de vie :
Conditions de vie très rudimentaires :
- habitation en yourte mongole, déplacée deux fois par an,
- pas d’eau courante, douche solaire ou à la rivière, toilettes sèches,
- électricité fournie par panneaux solaires,
- pas de téléphone ni Internet (téléphone satellite pour les urgences médicales)
- températures extrêmes,
- alimentation mongole (beaucoup de viande, très peu de légumes).

Le volontaire devra aimer vivre dans un confort minimal, sans communication régulière avec l’extérieur : en dehors de la période de terrain, pendant laquelle l’équipe française sera présente, le volontaire cohabitera uniquement avec les gardes mongols et ponctuellement avec l’équipe de Oulan Bator. Il devra donc s’adapter aux conditions de vie des mongols et partager son quotidien avec eux.

Contact pour information :
Hélène GUILLEN (association TAKH)
04.90.97.23.13

Candidature à adresser à
Mme Claudia FEH
Association pour le cheval de Przewalski
La Tour du Valat
Le Sambuc
13200 Arles

Post-Doctoral Position Announcement – Tropical Wildlife Ecology and Conservation

Hiring Organization:
Smithsonian Institution - National Zoo

Date Posted:
2009-12-28

Position Description:
The Center for Conservation Education and Sustainability (CCES) at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo is seeking a highly motivated post-doctoral fellow to design and lead a large-scale study of the influence of roads on wildlife in a coastal rainforest, southwestern Gabon. The study area’s network of mostly unpaved access roads has been developed as a result of oil development activities in the region. The potential influence of these roads on wildlife, either directly, through disturbance or habitat fragmentation, or indirectly through increased access to hunters, is of concern to the associated oil company, as well as to CCES and other NGOs who have been engaged in conservation research and biodiversity monitoring in this region for many years. Mammalian wildlife, particularly primates, ungulates and larger carnivores, will be a focus of the study but additional taxa may also be included. This research will factor into a larger, long-running research and education effort in the region which has focused on documenting the region’s biological diversity, assessing the impact of extractive-use operations on local flora and fauna, and working with government and private-sector decision makers to minimize these impacts.

Background: The Center for Conservation Education and Sustainability (CCES) has over fifteen years of experience integrating biodiversity conservation into energy development projects and nearly ten years working in Gabon. The Center’s Gabon Biodiversity Program is the principal organization dedicated to advancing fundamental scientific discovery, capacity building and understanding of biological diversity in what is known as the Gamba Complex of Protected Areas (Gamba Complex). The Gamba Complex is an 11,320 km 2 area which includes two national parks (Loango, Moukalaba-Doudou) and a partially protected zone (3585km2) between them, known as the industrial corridor, where selective logging and oil production takes place. Our program is a partnership with the government of Gabon, Shell Gabon and other stakeholders and plays an important role in the research, monitoring, conservation and education programs for the region.

Qualifications/Experience:
The successful applicant will have: 1) a PhD in wildlife ecology, forest ecology, conservation biology or a related discipline, 2) research experience and publication record in tropical ecology, particularly using mammalian field survey methods (e.g. camera trapping, line-transects), 3) strong organizational skills, and 4) experience working in remote tropical areas. A basic to intermediate level of GIS experience as well as some knowledge of French is preferred. The position is a 1-yr appointment with potential for extension depending on funding. Position will be based in Washington DC when field work in Gabon is not ongoing. The successful applicant should expect to spend multiple months of the year in Gabon.

Applicants should email: 1) a letter of interest detailing qualifications for the position, 2) curriculum vitae and 3) a list of 3 professional references with contact information (institution, email address, phone number) to Dr. Joe Kolowski at kolowskij@si.edu. Please include “Gamba Post-doc application” in the subject line.

Salary/funding:
$42,000/yr.

Term of Appointment:
1-yr appointment with potential for extension depending on funding.

Application Deadline:
January 22, 2009

Contact Information:
Dr. Joseph Kolowski
1100 Jefferson Dr. SW., Suite 3123, Quad
Washington, D.C. 20560
USA

Website:
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/ConservationAndScience/MAB/conservation/centralafrica/gabon/default.cfm

E-mail Address:
kolowskij@si.edu

Wildlife Volunteer - Macaque Rehabilitation

Hiring Organization:
Tasikoki Wildlife Rescue Centre

Date Posted:
2009-12-28

Position Description:
Volunteers will spend a significant amount of time preparing food for the animals, serving it to them and cleaning their enclosures. This includes a variety of ancillary jobs, such as cleaning food bowls, equipment and food preparation areas. Other time is spent preparing enrichments for the animals and also giving tours to visiting tourists as well as assisting development of the education centre. Depending upon the number of volunteers and ongoing activities at the time, there will also be work in connection with building/upgrading enclosures, usually involving a lot of digging and painting.

The types and variety of duties will depend largely on the duration of stay of each volunteer and number and skills of volunteers participating. Some of the work is also seasonal and dependent upon available resources on-site at the time.

Sulawesi has several species of endemic macaques, all under threat from habitat loss and the illegal wildlife trade. This centre cares for victims confiscated from wildlife traffickers and runs a rehabilitation and release programme in cooperation with the Masarang Foundation in Tomohon.

Qualifications/Experience:
Volunteers with enthusiasm, compassion for animals, team spirit, and who are fit enough to work hard in a hot and humid climate are desired to assist with this wildlife rehabilitation project in Sulawesi. No animal experience is necessary, although representatives from relevant fields are more than welcome to contribute to the team.

Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
Accommodation on site and all meals are included in the volunteer fee, which also supports the costs of feeding the animals. Also included is airport transfer to and from the rescue centre from Manado International Airport [MDC].

Term of Appointment:
Volunteers cover all their own expenses

Contact Information:
Simon Purser
Tasikoki Wildlife Rescue Centre, North Sulawesi 95000
Indonesia

Telephone Number:
+6281338543273

Website:
http://www.tasikoki.org

E-mail Address:
wildlifevolunteer.indonesia@gmail.com


lundi 4 janvier 2010

Job

I have a Research Assistant position available from March this year for 2 years (start date negotiable) in the area of behavioural endocrinology. I would be most grateful if you could pass on the attached job description to anyone you feel may be interested in this position. Please note the deadline for applications through the University of Glasgow website is the 8th January. The specific website for the job is as follows:
http://www22.i-grasp.com/fe/tpl_glasgow01.asps=CenPmSXuHfWInKkWfc&jobid=30029,2156624772&key=3114803&c=238723983498&pagestamp=seamelhtklepsgtxia

Best wishes and thanks

Karen

Dr Karen Spencer
BBSRC David Phillips Research Fellow

Office:
Division of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Graham Kerr Buidling
University of Glasgow
Glasgow G12 8QQ
++44 (0) 141 330 2797

Lab:
Division of Cell Sciences
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
University of Glasgow
Garscube Estate
G61 1AH
++44 (0) 141 330 5790

PUBLIC SCIENTIFIC MEETING ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON 9th FEBRUARY 2010

Making good decisions: how humans and other animals deal with an uncertain world

PUBLIC SCIENTIFIC MEETING
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON
9th FEBRUARY 2010, FROM 6pm

The study of decisions is to ask how and why individuals decide to act in a certain way. This Public Scientific Meeting will integrate contributions from biology, anthropology and psychology. The evening will be chaired by Dr Andrew King, and talks will be given by –

Prof Alex Kacelnik (University of Oxford)
see http://users.ox.ac.uk/~kgroup/people/alexkacelnik.shtml

Prof Peter Ayton (City University)
see http://www.staff.city.ac.uk/~sj361/

Dr Jeffery Stevens (Max Planck Institute for Human Development)
see http://www-abc.mpib-berlin.mpg.de/users/jstevens/

The theme of the meeting will be how humans and other animals with limited time and resources make decisions. The event will have a strong comparative theme, and will take an evolutionary perspective, with discussions of decision-making in species from starlings and pigeons to chimpanzees and people.

It will begin at 6.00pm (doors open from 5.00pm) and talks are scheduled to finish at 7.30pm; admission is free and open to everyone (no advance booking or registration required). This event will be held in the ZSL Meeting Rooms and seats will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

A dinner with the speakers will follow this event and places must be booked in advance. For further information see http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/whats-on/making-decisions-uncertain-world,357,EV.html or alternatively contact Joy Hayward (Scientific Meetings Coordinator, Zoological Society of London) E-mail: joy.hayward@zsl.org or Andrew King (Meeting Organiser) E-mail: andrewjking@live.co.uk


Dr Andrew King
Postdoctoral Researcher
Structure and Motion Laboratory
Royal Veterinary College
Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield
Hertfordshire, AL9 7DY
http://www.rvc.ac.uk/SML/Research_Interests/Index.cfm

E-mail: andrewjking@live.co.uk
IoZ Webpage: http://www.zsl.org/andrewking
Cambridge webpage: http://www.zoo.cam.ac.uk/zoostaff/manica/king.htm

dimanche 3 janvier 2010

Volunteer Field Research Assistant

Hiring Organization:
Lilongwe Wildlife Centre, Malawi

Date Posted:
2009-12-18

Position Description:
Background Information and Position Description:
The Lilongwe Wildlife Centre, Malawi, facilitates the rescue and rehabilitation of confiscated, orphaned and injured animals and where feasible their return to the wild. In December 2008, the Centre in conjunction with Born Free initiated its Primate Release Programme based in Kasungu National Park. At present 2 groups of primates have been released; a troop of 12 yellow baboons, known as Jack’s troop where first to be released, followed by Titan’s troop, 15 vervet monkeys released in May 2009. Both troops have been returned to the wild under soft release guidelines.

Each group of released primates is monitored daily for 6 months by a research team, collecting twice daily census information, behavioural focal follows and recording all wildlife interactions. The research team, currently comprising 2 local staff and 2 international staff, is responsible for monitoring the primates’ transition and helping to ensure their health and protection.

Following these two releases and with further releases scheduled for 2010 and 2011, the project now requires additional and comparative information on the wild populations of yellow baboons and vervets within Kasungu National Park. Historically no data collection has ever taken place on any of the wild primate troops within this National Park and therefore we are offering an opportunity to become involved in an exciting and original research project. With this comes the chance to be part of the habituation process. Habituation of the two chosen troops will begin in December 2009, but we expect the process to take many more months. So for those applicants looking to join the project in early 2010, habituation will be one of your major roles. Once the habituation process is complete, the volunteer role will become that of a research assistant, collecting data on both behavioural and feeding ecological on either the baboon or vervet troop – depending on the volunteers hired it may be possible to interchange and collect data on both troops.

The release programme is based in Kasungu National Park and therefore offers a unique opportunity to live in the heart of the National Park. Our accommodation is a basic but comfortable tented camp within the research block. Same sex volunteers will be required to share a tent, although we are hoping to source a tent each for the long term volunteers. Camp consists of a long drop toilet, hot water bucket bathing within a grass matted cubicle, solar power electricity, water on tap (6am – 6pm) from the borehole and therefore drinkable, indoor office/food storage area and a full time camp assistant who prepares all meals for the field team, hot water for washing, cleans all communal areas and items and does twice weekly clothes washing. There is good mobile phone coverage within the National Park, Thanks to the British Army, and using Zain the local network supplier text messages to the UK are very cheap (approx 8p). The camp is located only 5 minutes walk from the main scout village, there you will find the local school, a tuck shop and freshly made bread/doughnuts. No where within the park is fenced, which means camp is visited day and night by a variety of wildlife, although this is more frequent during the dry season (May – October) when they come in search of water. Commonly seen or heard in camp are bush pig, bush buck, elephant, civet and genet, hyena are often heard close by but to date have not wondered into our camp and leopard have been caught on camera traps between our camp and the scout village, but have never ventured into camp.

Field time will be scheduled as 5 days dawn till dusk (6am-6pm) data collections, 1 day office time for data input and 1 day off – days off and office days will be scheduled as such that your data collection can be collected by another member of the research team and so no more than one person is requiring the project laptop at a time. Weekly supply runs are done to Kasungu town, you will be expected to participate on a fortnightly basis which will also give you the opportunity for internet access and a brief break from bush living. Holidays will be formulated dependant on your terms of commitment, but will be loosely based around 4 week’s holiday per year.

Qualifications/Experience:
Essential requirements
1. Experience of working on a scientific research project, collecting and working systematically with data, ideally an observational/behavioural project
2. Significant foreign travel or living/work experience, within a developing country and ideally the tropics
3. Interest in animal behaviour, conservation and welfare, and preferably a university level qualification in animal behaviour, primate conservation, zoology or other relevant subject
4. There are 2 positions available, each looking for a one year long commitment. However, consideration will be given to candidates looking for a shorter commitment period, although a minimum of 3 months is required.
In addition, applicants must have certain QUALITIES: they must be energetic, patient, open, responsible, flexible, healthy, able to work independently but also as part of a team, and be highly motivated. Applicants must also be hardworking and able to keep going, and do so cheerfully! Our schedule is demanding and unconventional (6 days work, 1 day off), up to 12 hrs field time per day and no guarantee of getting lunch, but monkeys permitting we try our best. The position is not ideal for someone who needs a lot of personal time, or for someone who easily feels lonely. The ideal applicant must be comfortable being unplugged and a distance from easy communication with the outside world, there is mobile phone communication in camp and email possible fortnightly, but sometimes things just don't work. They must also have above average resistance to social/psychological stress with a tolerance towards local customs and beliefs and be comfortable with other conditions and risks that are simply part of tropical fieldwork, such as limited healthcare, monotonous diet, rare confrontations with noxious plants or animals. This is very intense work - if your main goal is not gaining scientific research experience, you will probably not be happy in this position.

Salary/funding:
This is a volunteer position and as such no wage or stipend is currently available.

Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
The volunteer is responsible for their return flight to Lilongwe, visa (approx £45 for first 3 months), comprehensive travel and medical insurance, food (approx £10-15 per week on a local food diet - however, funding permitting we hope to provide volunteer food), any non-field accommodation, all field clothing, including adequate walking boots.
The project will cover all accommodation while at the field site, all project related in country travel and an armed scout for your safety whilst following the monkeys on foot.

Term of Appointment:
A.S.A.P. We ideally require the first vounteers to begin late January/early Feb

Application Deadline:
Consider positions are still vacant as long as this advert is posted

Contact Information:
Andrea Donaldson
Malawi

Website:
http://www.lilongwewildlife.org

E-mail Address:
andreadonaldson@yahoo.co.uk

Volunteer field assisstant(s): urban monkey behaviour in Thailand

Hiring Organization:
Newcastle University

Date Posted:
2009-12-20

Position Description:
I am currently in the process of collecting data for my Masters dissertation and need at least one volunteer to assist me with this.
The project involves collecting information relevant to human-macaque interactions within the city centre, as such data collection includes the following:
- Identification of macaque groups and individuals
- Surveys of areas used by the macaques
- Ethograms to record human-macaque physical interactions

Surveys are carried out from dawn to dusk and as such require long hours exposed to the elements in the hot Thai climate. As we are dealing with urban monkeys the situation and conditions here are very different to typical 'natural habitat' field studies.

This volunteer position is ideal for someone who has an interest in pursuing a career in primatology or animal behaviour research and wants to get some field experience. Or someone who wants to add to their current experience in the field.

Qualifications/Experience:
Required qualifications:
- Excellent organisational skills
- Methodical and accurate in both data collection and transcription
- A real interest and commitment to achieving quality primatological studies
- Experience in scientific data collection
- the ability to remain focused and committed even when working in uncomfortable conditions
- perfect eyesight (or perfect with corrected vision)
- Ability to listen to and take direction
- Ability to work well within a team

Desired qualifications:
- a minimum of an honours degree in a science-related topic
- previous experience of working in a tropical country
- experience with non human primate work

Salary/funding:
This is a volunteer position and is unpaid. Howewer, there is a small possibility of limited support depending of what funding allows.

Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
You must make your own way to Bangkok, but I would pay to bring you to the site.
You must cover all your accommodation costs(10USD/night- however, this may be cheaper depending on length of stay and if you are willing to share a room).
Food in Thailand is very cheap and you can easily live on 5USD/day if you eat local food.

Term of Appointment:
4 weeks minimum (ideally 6-8 weeks) starting in January

Application Deadline:
31st Dec 2009

Comments:
Please feel free to make inquiries at m.y.vazquez@ncl.ac.uk
Send your CV and motivation for applying to the same address.

Contact Information:
Yolanda Vazquez
72/6 Soi Kosa
Lopburi 15000
Thailand

Telephone Number:
0066848814528

E-mail Address:

m.y.vazquez@ncl.ac.uk

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