mercredi 27 février 2019

JOB: Science Manager of the Cluster of Excellence "Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour”, University of Konstanz, Germany

Language: please note that only fluency in English is required.

(Full-time, maximum salary bracket E 14 TV-L)

Reference number 2019/021. The expected starting date is as soon as possible. It is a temporary position for seven years; a contract extension may be possible, subject to the continued funding of the cluster. In principle, this position can be divided into two half-time positions.
The role of the Science Manager will be to work closely with the Board to direct the Centre’s strategic vision in interdisciplinary, quantitative research, as well as to foster high-quality research programs, to provide outstanding operational management of research, and to help guide the Centre’s scientific community to excellence and impact. 

Your responsibilities 
  • Managing scientific research in a complex organization with diverse programs.
  • Maintaining and strengthening the culture of cross-discipline collaboration with conferences, summer schools, presentations.
  • Liaising between the cluster’s managing board, the Rectorate and the relevant university bodies.
  • Acting as a point of contact for ethical and legal issues, and coordinating with the animal experimentation lab (Tierversuchsanstalt) and the regional authority (Regierungspräsidium Freiburg).
Your profile 
  • You are a university graduate with a doctoral degree in biology or a related field.
  • You have worked as a science manager in large project networks or research teams.
  • You enjoy developing solutions for different structural and data requirements.
  • You are fluent in English.
  • You work well in a team, are flexible.
We offer you
  • An interesting and challenging job with a wide range of responsibilities at a young, family-friendly university with a strong research profile.
  • Flexibility to organize your own working hours and the content of your work.
  • Opportunities for lifelong learning and further professional development.

I’m happy to be contacted by anyone who may have informal inquiries. 

The deadline is very soon, but there may be flexibility, so if you miss it and would like to apply please contact me directly. 
-----
Iain D. Couzin
@icouzin

mardi 26 février 2019

Animal Behaviour Lecturer - Position - Australia

Exciting New Opportunity in Animal Behaviour
The School of Animal & Veterinary Sciences (Adelaide University, ASUTRALIA) is offering an exciting new full time Academic position in Animal Behaviour to expand research opportunities and support the new BSc(Animal Behaviour) program. 
Here is the link

Dr Audrey Dussutour
Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale
UMR 5169 CNRS, Batiment 4R3, Porte 220
Université Toulouse III
118 route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse, FRANCE

Tel: 00 33 5 61 55 64 41, Mob: 00 33 6 51 02 92 75
Email:dussutou@gmail.com and audrey.dussutour@univ-tlse3.fr
URL : http://dussutou.free.fr and http://cognition.ups-tlse.fr/

Assistant Research Technician

We are seeking an Assistant Research Technician to help conduct behavioural testing in a captive-bred population of North African houbara bustards (Chlamydotis undulata undulata) at the Emirates Centre for Wildlife Propagation (ECWP) in Missour, Morocco.
The research activity under this project consists of testing houbara bustard chicks under captive conditions to assess individual temperamental traits (a.k.a. personality) and cognitive abilities (e.g. learning). The Assistant Research Technician will work under the supervision of RENECO Researcher and will support a student to successfully complete experiments of his/her Master of research.
The position is for three months and will preferably start beginning of April 2019 (later start date possible).
Successful applicants should have:
• Completed at least three years of undergraduate studies (or equivalent) in animal behaviour/ethology or a closely-related field.
• Experience with handling and caring of animals, preferably birds.
• Fluency in both English and French languages.
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to work both independently and in a team.
• Attention to detail and ability to closely follow and implement experimental (testing) protocols.
• Data entry proficiency and, ideally, experience in video analysis.


For further information, contact Dr. Enrico Sorato at esorato@reneco-hq.org
To apply, send your CV together with a cover letter detailing your relevant experience and motivation, including contact information for two referees, all in a single PDF document to hr-sourcing@reneco-hq.org.

Assistant Research Technician position

We are seeking an Assistant Research Technician to help conduct behavioural testing in a captive-bred population of North African houbara bustards (Chlamydotis undulata undulata) at the Emirates Centre for Wildlife Propagation (ECWP) in Missour, Morocco.
The research activity under this project consists of testing houbara bustard chicks under captive conditions to assess individual temperamental traits (a.k.a. personality) and cognitive abilities (e.g. learning). The Assistant Research Technician will work under the supervision of RENECO Researcher and will support a student to successfully complete experiments of his/her Master of research.
The position is for three months and will preferably start beginning of April 2019 (later start date possible).
Successful applicants should have:
  • Completed at least three years of undergraduate studies (or equivalent) in animal behaviour/ethology or a closely-related field.
  • Experience with handling and caring of animals, preferably birds.
  • Fluency in both English and French languages.
  • Excellent organisational skills and ability to work both independently and in a team.
  • Attention to detail and ability to closely follow and implement experimental (testing) protocols.
  • Data entry proficiency and, ideally, experience in video analysis.
 
 
For further information, contact Dr. Enrico Sorato at esorato@reneco-hq.org
To apply, send your CV together with a cover letter detailing your relevant experience and motivation, including contact information for two referees, all in a single PDF document to hr-sourcing@reneco-hq.org.


Enrico Sorato
RENECO INTERNATIONAL WILDLIFE CONSULTANTS
P.O Box 61741 Abu Dhabi, UAE
Phone: +971 (0)2 3071 914
Email: esorato@reneco-hq.org

offre de stage de perfectionnement


Proposition de stage de perfectionnement pour un travail d’enrichissement du milieu de primates non humains (PNH) en captivité et participation à leur réhabilitation
Centre de primatologie (CDP) du Centre de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF) – Gabon

Thème :
Bien-être animal : Enrichissement du milieu et projets de réhabilitation pour différentes espèces de PNH (dont des chimpanzés – pan troglodytes  – et autres cercopithécidés - cercopithecidae).

Lieu et structure d’accueil :
Centre de primatologie – CIRMF – B.P. 769, Franceville, GABON.

Durée :
Minimum 3 mois, dès que possible.

Description :
Dans le cadre de la transformation éthique du Centre de Primatologie du CIRMF, le stage consiste à participer à l'enrichissement de l’habitat actuel de PNH élevés dans différentes conditions de captivité et à participer aux différents projets de réhabilitation.
Le stagiaire le souhaitant pourra prendre part aux activités de soins et suivis vétérinaires ainsi qu’aux différentes missions liées – notamment – aux saisies de primates détenus illégalement.
Nous soulignons que plus aucun des PNH captifs ne subit de protocole pour des raisons éthiques. Seules des colonies de mandrills vivant dans des enclos en semi-liberté restent soumises à des études comportementales non invasives.

Profil requis :
Être impliqué dans les questions du bien-être animal et de la conservation. Une préférence sera donnée aux étudiants d’éthologie, plus encore ceux ayant suivi une formation en enrichissement.

Conditions de travail :
Temps plein, du lundi au vendredi (temps partiel possible pour les francevillois).
Stage de perfectionnement non diplômant, non rémunéré.
Logement offert (sur le site du CIRMF) et voyage entre Libreville et Franceville pris en charge.

Contacts :
Envoyer CV et lettre de motivation par courrier électronique à :
Dr. Barthélémy Ngoubangoye ou Dr. Sophie Gallino Visman
Tél. (WhatsApp): +241 02 52 12 39 / +241 02 44 27 70

Two post-doc positions at University of Hong Kong

1. One post-doc for 1 year with the possibility to extend to September 2020 (limited by funding) on elephant vocalisations from a pre-existing dataset. Experience in analysing animal vocalisations a big plus! 🐘
🎺http://jobs.hku.hk/cw/en/job/494109/postdoctoral-fellow
2. One post-doc for 1 year with the possibility to extend for a further 2 years on interactions between wild boar and humans in Hong Kong. Involves analysing reports spatially and textually and the chance to collect qualitative data on human perspectives. Chinese language skills a big bonus and experience in qualitative and spatial analysis. 🐗
🌃http://jobs.hku.hk/cw/en/job/494110/postdoctoral-fellow
Positions open until 29th March or until filled.

vendredi 22 février 2019

Annonce offre de stage en éthologie des primates

Thème
Entraînement  des animaux  à  coopérer  sur  les  bases  du  renforcement  positif – Clicker training.
Travail sur des groupes sociaux de primates non humains évoluant dans des parcs boisés, en semi-liberté, au Centre de Primatologie de l’Université de Strasbourg.
Encadrement
Hélène  Meunier,  PhD,  HDR,  Ethologue-Primatologue -  IGR1  au  Laboratoire  de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives - UMR 7364
Helen Beyer, Responsable du bien-être animal - Silabe - Université de Strasbourg
Durée
8 semaines entre avril et août 2019
Lieu
Centre de Primatologie de l’Université de Strasbourg
Fort Foch
67207 Niederhausbergen
France
Description
La personne devra mettre en place un programme d’entraînement, basé sur des méthodes de  renforcement  positif,  i.e.  clicker-training,  afin  de  pouvoir  déplacer  sur  commande des  groupes  de  primates  (des  capucins  bruns  et  des  capucins  moines)  vivant  en parcs boisés d’un demi-hectare environ.
Profil requis
Avoir une formation en lien avec le monde animal, la biologie. Etre observateur, rigoureux, très motivé, patient, et apprécier le contact avec les animaux. Une première expérience avec des animaux sauvages et/ou en training serait fortement appréciée.
Conditions de travail
Temps plein 35h, du lundi au vendredi. Pas d’indemnité mensuelle.
Contacts
Envoyer CV et lettre de motivation par courrier électronique à :
Hélène Meunier (hmeunier@unistra.fr) ET Helen Beyer (helen.beyer@silabe.com)

PhD position in collective behaviour and social immunity at the University of Fribourg (Switzerland)

A 4-year PhD position is available in the research group of Professor Nathalie Stroeymeyt in the Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, to study the effect of group composition on disease transmission and relative investment in personal vs. social immunity in ants.
Background
Group living offers favourable conditions for the spread of infectious diseases, because high population densities and frequent social contacts facilitate pathogen transmission. To mitigate that risk, social animals have evolved a variety of defence mechanisms to prevent the entry and propagation of pathogens within the group, ranging from a raised investment in personal immunity to highly coordinated collective sanitary actions (‘social immunity’). Recent studies have shown that social groups can also adopt organizational features, such as the subdivision into well-separated subgroups, which reduce epidemic risk through transmission bottleneck effects. However, the importance of organizational immunity features in disease risk management by real animal groups is still poorly understood. Our research adopts an empirical approach based on the experimental manipulations of garden ant colonies (Lasius niger) to (i) quantify the effect of social organization on disease transmission and test key predictions from network epidemiology, and (ii) evaluate the relative of importance of personal immunity, collective sanitary actions and organizational features under different environmental conditions and at different stages of development (for more detail see https://stroeymeyt-lab.ch/research).
The project
The goal of this PhD project will be to investigate how group composition (in particular colony size) influences the social network topology of ant colonies, and how this in turn affects disease transmission risk and the need for individuals to invest in personal immunity. The project will rely on automated behavioural tracking, social network analysis, simulation of disease transmission, monitoring of the transmission of pathogenic and non-pathogenic agents, fitness measurements, physiological assays and immune gene expression analysis. Among others, the project will address general hypotheses about the effect of group size on social organisation ('size-complexity’ hypothesis) and immune investment (‘density-dependent prophylaxis’). 
Desired profile
We are looking for candidates with experience in quantitative behavioural analysis and programming, a good working knowledge in statistics and experimental design, and a willingness to apply a variety of approaches (behavioural tracking, writing own code to analyse the data, and lab work). Experience with social insects, insect immunity and/or molecular biology would be a plus. Candidates must be creative, motivated and passionate about science, have excellent oral and written communication skills,  and be at ease working both independently and as part of a team. A Master’s degree (or equivalent) will be required prior to taking up the position.
The position
The position will be part of an overall project team consisting of two PhD students and two post-doctoral researchers (https://stroeymeyt-lab.ch/open-positions/) and will be fully funded for four years by an ERC Starting Grant. The salary will be set according to the guidelines of the University of Fribourg (c. 47’000 CHF per year).
Location
The Department of Biology at the University of Fribourg is a highly dynamic, international and interdisciplinary environment, spanning a wide range of research in evolution and ecology, behaviour, population genomics, and bioinformatics, developmental genetics, neurobiology, biochemistry and proteomics, across 27 groups (https://www3.unifr.ch/bio/en/).
Expected starting date
The starting date is flexible; the earliest possible start will be May 1st, 2019.
How to apply
Please send your application by email to Nathalie.Stroeymeyt@gmail.com. Your application should consist of a single merged pdf file including: (i) a full CV and publication list, (ii) a 1-2 page research statement describing your main research interests and your relevant skillsets, how they developed, and how they relate to the proposed research project, (iii) the names and contact details of at least two referees, and (iv) copies of (or links to) your publications and/or your PhD thesis (if available). Evaluation of candidates will begin on February 15th, 2019, and continue until the position is filled.
References
Stroeymeyt et al. (2014). Organisational immunity in social insects. Current Opinion in Insect Science 5, 1.
Stroeymeyt et al. (2018). Social network plasticity decreases disease transmission in a eusocial insect. Science 362, 941.

PhD position in collective behaviour and social immunity at the University of Fribourg (Switzerland)

A 4-year PhD position is available in the research group of Professor Nathalie Stroeymeyt in the Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, to study the effect of prolonged pathogen pressure on long-term investment in personal and social immunity in ants.
Background
Group living offers favourable conditions for the spread of infectious diseases, because high population densities and frequent social contacts facilitate pathogen transmission. To mitigate that risk, social animals have evolved a variety of defence mechanisms to prevent the entry and propagation of pathogens within the group, ranging from a raised investment in personal immunity to highly coordinated collective sanitary actions (‘social immunity’). Recent studies have shown that social groups can also adopt organizational features, such as the subdivision into well-separated subgroups, which reduce epidemic risk through transmission bottleneck effects. However, the importance of organizational immunity features in disease risk management by real animal groups is still poorly understood. Our research adopts an empirical approach based on the experimental manipulations of garden ant colonies (Lasius niger) to (i) quantify the effect of social organization on disease transmission and test key predictions from network epidemiology, and (ii) evaluate the relative of importance of personal immunity, collective sanitary actions and organizational features under different environmental conditions and at different stages of development (for more detail see https://stroeymeyt-lab.ch/research).
The project
The goal of this project will be to understand how ant colonies adjust different components of their disease defences (personal immunity, collective sanitary actions and transmissioninhibiting social organization) in response to repeated disease challenges. The candidate will use controlled pathogen inoculations, physiological assays  and immune gene expression analysis, automated behavioural tracking, social network analysis and  monitoring of the transmission of real agents to uncover the effect of prolonged pathogen pressure on long-term investment in personal and social immunity. The project will elucidate whether ants use changes in spatial and social organisation as an active strategy to decrease disease risk.  

Desired profile
We are looking for candidates with experience in quantitative behavioural analysis and programming and/or molecular biology techniques, and a willingness to apply a variety of approaches (behavioural tracking, writing own code to analyse the data, and lab work). A good working knowledge in statistics and experimental design is also desirable. Experience with social insects and insect immunity would be a plus. Candidates must be creative, motivated and passionate about science, have excellent oral and written communication skills, and be at ease working both independently and as part of a team. A Master’s degree (or equivalent) will be required prior to taking up the position.
The position
The position will be part of an overall project team consisting of two PhD students and two post-doctoral researchers (https://stroeymeyt-lab.ch/open-positions/) and will be fully funded for four years by an ERC Starting Grant. The salary will be set according to the guidelines of the University of Fribourg (c. 47’000 CHF per year).
Location
The Department of Biology at the University of Fribourg is a highly dynamic, international and interdisciplinary environment, spanning a wide range of research in evolution and ecology, behaviour, population genomics, and bioinformatics, developmental genetics, neurobiology, biochemistry and proteomics, across 27 groups (https://www3.unifr.ch/bio/en/).
Expected starting date
The starting date is flexible; the earliest possible start will be May 1st, 2019.
How to apply
Please send your application by email to Nathalie.Stroeymeyt@gmail.com. Your application should consist of a single merged pdf file including: (i) a full CV and publication list, (ii) a 1-2 page research statement describing your main research interests and your relevant skillsets, how they developed, and how they relate to the proposed research project, (iii) the names and contact details of at least two referees, and (iv) copies of (or links to) your publications and/or your PhD thesis (if available). Evaluation of candidates will begin on February 15th, 2019, and continue until the position is filled.
References
Stroeymeyt et al. (2014). Organisational immunity in social insects. Current Opinion in Insect Science 5, 1.
Stroeymeyt et al. (2018). Social network plasticity decreases disease transmission in a eusocial insect. Science 362, 941.

Post-doc position in microbiology at the University of Fribourg (Switzerland)

A 3-year post-doc position is available in the research group of Professor Nathalie Stroeymeyt in the Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, to study the role of caste-specific microbiota in the disease defences of ant colonies.
Background
Group living offers favourable conditions for the spread of infectious diseases, because high population densities and frequent social contacts facilitate pathogen transmission. To mitigate that risk, social animals have evolved a variety of defence mechanisms to prevent the entry and propagation of pathogens within the group, ranging from a raised investment in personal immunity to highly coordinated collective sanitary actions (‘social immunity’). Recent studies have shown that social groups can also adopt organizational features, such as the subdivision into well-separated subgroups, which reduce epidemic risk through transmission bottleneck effects. However, the importance of organizational immunity features in disease risk management by real animal groups is still poorly understood. Our research adopts an empirical approach based on the experimental manipulations of garden ant colonies (Lasius niger) to (i) quantify the effect of social organization on disease transmission and test key predictions from network epidemiology, and (ii) evaluate the relative of importance of personal immunity, collective sanitary actions and organizational features under different environmental conditions and at different stages of development (for more detail see https://stroeymeyt-lab.ch/research).
The project
The goal of this project will be to study the role of caste-specific microbiota in the disease defences of ant colonies. The candidate will use DNA barcoding, gene expression analysis, physiological assays, microbiota manipulations and behavioural observations to (i) characterise the microbiota of ant workers depending on their caste, and (ii) test whether ants that perform risky tasks (e.g. foragers) have a microbiota which decreases their susceptibility to disease compared to ants that perform safe tasks (e.g. nurses), thus reducing the risk of epidemics at the colony-level. The candidate will also be involved in collaborations with other team members to characterise the immune response of ant workers to diverse fungal and bacterial pathogens. 
Desired profile
We are looking for candidates with a strong background in molecular biology and/or microbiology, solid experience in lab work and analysis of sequencing data (e.g. DNA barcoding, quantification of gene expression), and a willingness to perform experiments involving live ants. A prior knowledge of insect immunity would be a plus. Candidates must be creative, motivated and passionate about science, have excellent oral and written communication skills, and be at ease working both independently and as part of a team. A PhD will be required prior to taking up the position.
The position
The position will be part of an overall project team consisting of two PhD students and two post-doctoral researchers (https://stroeymeyt-lab.ch/open-positions/) and will be fully funded for three years by an ERC Starting Grant. The salary will be set according to the guidelines of the University of Fribourg (c. 75’000 CHF per year).
Location
The Department of Biology at the University of Fribourg is a highly dynamic, international and interdisciplinary environment, spanning a wide range of research in evolution and ecology, behaviour, population genomics, and bioinformatics, developmental genetics, neurobiology, biochemistry and proteomics, across 27 groups (https://www3.unifr.ch/bio/en/).
Expected starting date
The starting date is flexible; the earliest possible start will be May 1st, 2019.
How to apply
Please send your application by email to Nathalie.Stroeymeyt@gmail.com. Your application should consist of a single merged pdf file including: (i) a full CV and publication list, (ii) a 1-2 page research statement describing your main research interests and your relevant skillsets, how they developed, and how they relate to the proposed research project, (iii) the names and contact details of at least two referees, and (iv) copies of (or links to) your publications and/or your PhD thesis (if available). Evaluation of candidates will begin on February 15th, 2019, and continue until the position is filled.
References
Stroeymeyt et al. (2014). Organisational immunity in social insects. Current Opinion in Insect Science 5, 1.
Stroeymeyt et al. (2018). Social network plasticity decreases disease transmission in a eusocial insect. Science 362, 941.

Post-doc position in collective behaviour and epidemiology at the University of Fribourg (Switzerland)

A 2-year post-doc position is available in the research group of Professor Nathalie Stroeymeyt in the Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, to study the effect of social network properties on disease transmission dynamics in ant colonies.
Background
Group living offers favourable conditions for the spread of infectious diseases, because high population densities and frequent social contacts facilitate pathogen transmission. To mitigate that risk, social animals have evolved a variety of defence mechanisms to prevent the entry and propagation of pathogens within the group, ranging from a raised investment in personal immunity to highly coordinated collective sanitary actions (‘social immunity’). Recent studies have shown that social groups can also adopt organizational features, such as the subdivision into well-separated subgroups, which reduce epidemic risk through transmission bottleneck effects. However, the importance of organizational immunity features in disease risk management by real animal groups is still poorly understood. Our research adopts an empirical approach based on the experimental manipulations of garden ant colonies (Lasius niger) to (i) quantify the effect of social organization on disease transmission and test key predictions from network epidemiology, and (ii) evaluate the relative of importance of personal immunity, collective sanitary actions and organizational features under different environmental conditions and at different stages of development (for more detail see https://stroeymeyt-lab.ch/research).
The project
The goal of this project will be to experimentally manipulate the social network topology of ant colonies (e.g. by manipulating nest architecture) to quantify the effect of network properties on disease transmission and test key predictions from network epidemiology. The candidate will use a combination of automated behavioural tracking, social network analysis, simulation of disease transmission, monitoring of the transmission of pathogenic and non-pathogenic agents, and fitness measurements to produce an integrative understanding of the effect of social organization and network structure on epidemic risk. 
Desired profile
We are looking for candidates with a strong quantitative background and solid experience in programming, exploratory analysis of large biological datasets, social network analysis and/or epidemiological simulations. As the project will involve an important experimental component, the candidates would ideally have a good working knowledge of statistics and experimental design and prior experience with social insects. Experience with laser-cutting or 3D-printing software and tools would be a plus. Candidates must be creative, motivated and passionate about science, have excellent oral and written communication skills, and be at ease working both independently and as part of a team. A PhD will be required prior to taking up the position.
The position
The position will be part of an overall project team consisting of two PhD students and two post-doctoral researchers (https://stroeymeyt-lab.ch/open-positions/) and will be fully funded for two years by an ERC Starting Grant. The salary will be set according to the guidelines of the University of Fribourg (c. 75’000 CHF per year).
Location
The Department of Biology at the University of Fribourg is a highly dynamic, international and interdisciplinary environment, spanning a wide range of research in evolution and ecology,  behaviour, population genomics, and bioinformatics, developmental genetics, neurobiology,  biochemistry and proteomics, across 27 groups (https://www3.unifr.ch/bio/en/).
Expected starting date
The starting date is flexible; the earliest possible start will be May 1st, 2019.
How to apply
Please send your application by email to Nathalie.Stroeymeyt@gmail.com. Your application should consist of a single merged pdf file including: (i) a full CV and publication list, (ii) a 1-2 page research statement describing your main research interests and your relevant skillsets, how they developed, and how they relate to the proposed research project, (iii) the names and contact details of at least two referees, and (iv) copies of (or links to) your publications and/or your PhD thesis (if available). Evaluation of candidates will begin on February 15th , 2019, and continue until the position is filled.
References
Stroeymeyt et al. (2014). Organisational immunity in social insects. Current Opinion in Insect Science 5, 1.
Stroeymeyt et al. (2018). Social network plasticity decreases disease transmission in a eusocial insect. Science 362, 941.

mercredi 13 février 2019

OFFRE D'EMPLOI 2 MOIS Technicien(ne) en ornithologie de terrain

Poste de technicien(ne) en ornithologie de terrain

Durée : du 1 Avril au 30 Mai 2019. Possibilité d'étendre le contrat jusqu'au 15 Juin
 Missions :
    - Suivi de reproduction de mésanges charbonnières (voire bleues) en milieux urbain et forestier ("populations installées" en nichoirs)
    - Participation aux opérations de mesures morphologiques, prélèvements sanguins et baguage des poussins
    - Participation aux opérations de captures, mesures morphologiques, prélèvements sanguins et baguage des adultes
    - Participation au conditionnement (centrifugation puis congélation) et archivage des échantillons prélevés
    - Participation à l’archivage des données récoltées sur le terrain
Laboratoire d'affectation : Université de Bourgogne UMR CNRS BioGéoSciences
 Localisation des travaux de terrain : Dijon et agglomération, Forêt communale d'Auxonne (occasionnellement Besançon et Forêt domaniale de Chaux)
Rémunération : 1222.62 net/mois (Technicien catégorie B, indice majoré 321)
Compétences requises : Fort attrait pour le travail de terrain (expérience préalable souhaitée) et pour le travail en équipe; Esprit d'initiative; Être titulaire du permis B.
La maitrise d’outils de SIG et/ou de construction de base de données serait un plus.
 Date limite de dépôt des candidatures: 26 Février 2019  (lettre de motivation accompagnée d'un CV et des coordonnées de deux personnes pour référence)
Contacts et destinataires des candidatures : Bruno Faivre (bruno.faivre@u-bourgogne.fr -0380396206) et Aurélie Khimoun (aurelie.khimoun@u-bourgogne.fr - 0380396244)

lundi 11 février 2019

Graduate Research Assistant

Understanding nutrient partitioning and social competition to improve genomic selection for feed efficiency in dairy cattle 

Description:  We  seek  a  graduate  student  to  conduct  multidisciplinary  research  with  the  aim  of  improving  dairy  cattle production and animal welfare. The overall objective of the project is  to  improve  the  feed  efficiency  of  lactating  dairy  cows  through  biomarker-based assessments  of  nutrient  partitioning  and  sensor-based  appraisals  of  social  competition, while advancing a multi-state effort to implement genomic predictions for feed efficiency in U.S. dairy cattle.  The  student  will be  expected to  carry  out all aspects of the  experiments including primary data collection  on dairy cattle, video analysis, lab work, data  processing and statistical analysis, and manuscript preparation. The student will be co-advised by Drs. Kent Weigel  (animal genetics), Heather White (nutritional physiology), and Jennifer Van Os (animal welfare and behavior).
Desired qualifications and relevant experience:
  MSc with research experience in dairy science, animal science, or related field. (BSc with substantial independent research experience may be considered)
  Strong data organization and processing skills. Confidence with statistics, including ability to explore new techniques, is a necessity.
  Knowledge of and interest in U.S. dairy cattle production and management
  Experience in cattle handling, sample collection, lab work, and project management
How to apply: Enclose the following in an e-mail to Dr. Jennifer Van Os (jvanos@wisc.edu)
by March 15, 2019. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
1.  Statement of relevant experience, skills, and interests
2.  CV including research publication record (for unpublished work, please indicate status, e.g., submitted, in preparation, etc.)
3.  Transcript (unofficial OK)
4.  GRE scores (screenshot OK)
NOTE: Graduate admissions to the Department of Dairy Science are conducted on a rolling basis.
Candidates need not apply for admission to the UW graduate school until selected as a finalist.
The Department of Dairy Science and the UW-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences are
committed to maintaining and growing a culture embracing diversity, inclusion, and equity. We believe these values are foundational elements of our  excellence and fundamental components of a positive, enriching learning and work environment for students, faculty, and staff.
https://dysci.wisc.edu/ 

PhD position - University of Tours (France) - Reproductive differentiation in termites




A PhD position is available for 3 years at the Insect Biology Research Institute (IRBI, University of Tours).

Reproductive differentiation in termites: study of the chemical signals and the behaviors involved

Context and challenges
The reproductive division of labor is the keystone of social organization in insect societies. Indeed, in these societies, few individuals monopolize reproduction, whereas the other colony members forego their own reproduction to perform the remaining tasks to maintain the colony. In termites, the access to reproduction is known to be controlled by the reproductives already present in the colony. Understanding how the reproductive differentiation occurred in termites and identifying the involved signals, are crucial questions to understand the evolution of social life and the ecological success of insect societies.

In this PhD project, we propose to study how the reproductives of termites control the access to the reproduction of the other colony members. Among the involved signals, several studies highlighted the major role played by the volatile chemical compounds. However, other signals have been neglected so far, like the peptides or the vibratory signals. Nevertheless, in confined and solid environment of the underground termite nests (galleries in wood and soil), the specific nature of these two signals could transport or code the information of these signals more efficiently compared to the volatile compounds. Therefore, their study could represent a major transition in our understanding of insect societies. We will focus on the study of these three signals which are: the volatile pheromones, the non-volatile peptidic compounds and the vibratory signals. (1) Several decades of scientific research revealed that insect communication is mainly mediated by volatile chemical compounds. Either in a complex mixture covering the cuticle or in a more specific chemical blend produced by specialized glands. Even if a new pheromone specific of the reproductives have just been described in the literature in termites, its function and its impact on the reproductives differentiation remain to be clarified. We propose to study this pheromone as well as its volatility and its transmission to the other colony members. (2) Despite a growing number of studies involving the role of the peptidic compounds in insect communication, studies on their implication in the control of the reproductive access are scarce. In a second part, we propose to study the non-volatile peptidic compounds which are more suitable for the underground termite life, because they can be deposited by contact on the substrates. (3) The reproductives differentiation could also be controlled by specific behaviors of the reproductives but also by the other non-reproductive members of the colony. In several species of termites, the behaviors using vibratory signals are omnipresent, however their exact functions on the reproductives differentiation need more experimental demonstrations. We will test how the signals will be pursued by the other non-reproductive members of the colony and their impact on reproductives differentiation and on their social interactions.

The model system, Reticulitermes flavipes, is a subterranean termite species present in France all around urban zones. It will be studied by joining chemical analyses and behavioral approaches. The signals, which some are under current investigation in the lab, will be tested alone or in combination. In order to validate the impacts of the studied signals on the reproductives differentiation, behavioral experiments will be processed by doing chemical stimulation and/or playback experiments. The PhD will be supported by two grants covering salary and experiments costs.


Required profile
Applicants must show interest in at least one research field of the project: behavioral ecology, evolutionary biology, entomology or chemical ecology. Knowledge in social insects, behavior, statistics (with R) and chemical analyses will be appreciated. A Master’s degree or equivalent is required.


Practical and salary
The Insect Biology Research Institute offers state-of-the-art equipment and expertise to study all aspects of insects biology, ranging from genomes to communities and covering research fields such as behavior, genomic, ecology, biochemistry and evolution. The laboratory is localized in Tours (1h from Paris), which is a historical town localized in the Unesco world heritage site of the Loire Valley Chateaux.


Applications
Please submit your application by email to Christophe Lucas (christophe.lucas@univ-tours.fr) including a cover letter with your research interests, a CV and contacts of two potential referees. Contact information: phone: +33 247-367-372; Website; address: IRBI, CNRS UMR7261, University of Tours, Av. Monge 37200 Tours, France.

>> Application deadline: April 1st, 2019
>> Starting date: September 2019