mardi 22 octobre 2013

PhD position: Negotiating over parental care: how do parents react to each other?

PhD position:
Negotiating over parental care: how do parents react to each other?
Vacancy number AnE-013090


This PhD position (1.0 FTE) is funded by a grant from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) and will be carried out at the Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) in close collaboration with the Behavioural Ecology Group, Department of Animal Science, Wageningen University (WUR).

Project description: Family life is one of the most familiar forms of social behaviour, but we are still far from a complete understanding of the selection pressures shaping parental care. In particular, little is known about the behavioural rules that parents use to negotiate over parental care. This project will use state-of-the-art radio tracking technology, together with acoustic recording, to simultaneously monitor the position and vocalisations of both members of great tit Parus major pairs in the wild during the nestling provisioning phase. The project will address questions such as: To what extent is the behaviour of pairs coordinated in time or space? And how is behaviour modified by proximity to the partner or signalling by the partner?

Requirements: We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic person with an MSc or equivalent degree in behavioural ecology or a related field, and with strong field, experimental and analytical skills. Candidates must be willing to organise and conduct intensive ornithological fieldwork and handle large volumes of data generated by automated data collection; have good organisational and (written and spoken) communication skills, and the ability to collaborate with others;  be willing to travel internationally, to attend conferences, and visit other institutes; have a driving license.

Appointment: This is a temporary appointment, initially for 1 year and upon satisfactory progress prolonged for a maximum of 4 years total.
Salary: The gross salary starts at € 2.083, - per month in the 1st year, and will gradually increase to a maximum of € 2.638, - per month in the 4th year, scale P, Collective Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO Nederlandse Universiteiten), plus 8% holiday pay and a year-end bonus. We offer an extensive package of fringe benefits.
Location: The Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) in Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Information: A detailed project description can be found at: http://www.nioo.knaw.nl/phdnegotiation/ . Further information is available on request from Dr Kate Lessells  (k.lessells@nioo.knaw.nl; Tel +31(0)317-473444). Information about the Netherlands Institute of Ecology can be found at  http://www.nioo.knaw.nl /

Applications: Please send your application including complete curriculum vitae and names of three referees to vacature@nioo.knaw.nl. The closing date for applications is 15 November 2013, with interviews planned before the end of 2013.