Lesser
black-backed gulls, a long-lived migratory seabird, were commonly
assumed to be generalists. However, this poorly characterizes the
foraging habits of individual gulls - individuals tend to specialize on
one foraging strategy. Such inter-individual variation in the use of an
ecological niche is increasingly recognized as an ecologically relevant,
but as yet underappreciated phenomenon. Its adaptive significance
likely depends on: (a) the predictability of a food resource and the
heterogeneous environmental conditions throughout the annual cycle, (b)
how foraging specialization co-varies with other behavioural
(“personality”), physiological or life history traits, and (c) whether
consistency in foraging restrains behavioral plasticity, and thus the
ability to adapt to environmental changes.
The implementation of new state-of-the-art GPS tracking devices developed by UvA-bits (www.uva- bits.nl) and
the installation of a high tech sensor network (LifeWatch
Infrastructure, coordinated by the Research Institute for Nature and
Forest, INBO) recently allowed to collect extremely detailed and
relevant information about the movements and foraging behavior of
individual birds throughout the annual cycle. Since 2014 >100
individual lesser black-backed gulls have been fitted with such GPS
tags. This extensive data set provides unique opportunities to study the
variation of foraging specialization and its functional consequences in
a life history context. The postdoc will focus on the analysis of this
extensive dataset containing observations of individually marked
(color-ringed) birds and the recordings obtained from the GPS tracking
system. In addition, the postdoc will closely collaborate with 3
PhD-students appointed at the University of Antwerp, respectively the
University of Gent, who concentrate on investigating under field
conditions how parental decisions about the level of investment into
their current offspring vary with the ability of an individual to
respond to its biotic and abiotic environment.
We
are seeking a highly motivated, enthusiastic and creative person with a
PhD in biology. You will have experience with analyzing GPS-tracking
data and abilities in the application of GIS. You will be familiar with
statistical packages such as R and with applying modern movement ecology
approaches. You have competency and enthusiasm for the processing of
large data sets. Demonstrated publication record and fluency in English
are required. You must have good communication skills and be able to
work in a team, experience with fieldwork would be helpful.
The
post is a full-time two-year post-doctoral position with possible
extension depending on performance and project funding, fixed term from 1
April2017 to 1 April 2019.
To
apply, please send in a single pdf file: (a) a statement of your
research interests, motivation and suitability for this position, and
(b) your CV including a list of publications and (c) the contact details
of two references. Applications are to be sent to Wendt.Mueller@uantwerpen.be. Consideration of applications will commence on the 1st of March 2017, and continue until the position is filled.
For informal enquiries please contact Prof. Wendt Müller Wendt.Mueller@uantwerpen.be, Prof. Luc Lens Luc.Lens@ugent.be, or Dr. Eric Stienen eric.stienen@inbo.be