In the Behavioural
and Evolutionary Ecology of
Birds Group (https://sites.google.com/site/petersresearchgroup/) @ Monash
University, Melbourne, Australia, a
PhD position (start date Jul-Sep) is available to study how
ambient
temperatures affect physiology and behaviour of superb
fairy-wrens Malurus cyaneus using a combination of existing and
newly-collected data.
The research will focus on
effects of high temperatures on metabolism, condition, heat
stress, foraging
behaviour, use of microsites and molecular aging. This project
will focus on
immediate responses by nestlings, delayed effects into
adulthood, and include
experimental approaches. Additionally, the project will assess
which individual
attributes (age, sex, social status, morphology, genetic
background) and
environmental parameters (social group size, habitat) affect
individual
variation in response to increasing temperatures.
Field work will take place at
Lysterfield Park, an open woodland near the university, where we
study a large
partly-colourbanded population.
The research is funded
through a Discovery Project grant of the Australian Research
Council (DP18) to
Assoc Prof Anne Peters.
Monash
University is a
member of Australia's Group of Eight coalition, and is
internationally
recognized for excellence in research and teaching. The School
of Biological
Sciences is home to a collegial and interdisciplinary research
environment,
with strengths in ecology, genetics and evolutionary biology.
The Monash
doctoral program includes additional training opportunities
beyond the research
program that enhance employability post degree. The School
offers funding and
opportunities to post-docs. Monash
is
located in Melbourne, one of the most liveable cities in the
world and a
cultural and recreational hub.
Requirements and further information
Applicants must have self-motivation, enthusiasm, a background in behavioural and evolutionary ecology, a passion for studying wild animals in their natural environment, a strong work ethic, experience with fieldwork and/or bird handling and/or relevant quantitative skills, a full driver’s licence.
Successful students
will be offered a stipend
(living-allowance) scholarship provided tax free for three
years, with the
possibility of a six-month extension. We also offer travel and
establishment
allowances to help in your move. Additionally, for international
students, cost
of tuition fees and compulsory Overseas Student Health Cover are
covered.
Research course fees for Australian or New Zealand citizens and
Australian
permanent residents are automatically covered under the
Australian Research
Training Scheme.
In
order to be eligible,
students must have four-year degree with at least 6 months
relevant research
experience, outstanding grades, and excellent English. Evidence
of published research
is a plus.
The application process
takes place in two stages. Send your initial application to
Anne Peters (anne.peters[at]monash.edu), consisting of: a letter
of motivation for one or both of the projects; a CV; overview of
your academic
results, and translation if required, preferably indicating
cohort rank or
percentiles; English test results if required; and the names and
contact
details of 3 academic references. Deadline is 1 June 2018.
After a review of all
applications, you may be contacted for a skype or personal
interview. If you
are selected for a PhD position, you will be sent an invitation
to submit a
formal application through the Monash University web portal.
See https://sites.google.com/site/petersresearchgroup/ for further details.
Contact Anne (anne.peters[at]monash.edu) if you would like further
information on the project or the application process.
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