Masters project available - 1 full year of research
We are currently recruiting a Masters student to come and work with our
international interdisciplinary research team, based at the Universities
of St Andrews (Scotland), Ghent (Belgium) and Exeter (England), INBO,
Brussels (Belgium) and the VOC avian rehabilitation
centre (http://www.vogelopvangcentrum.be/) in Ostend (Belgium). The exciting project will study methods to reduce the
incidence of gulls foraging in human garbage bags.
The numbers of Herring and Lesser Black backed gulls foraging in
anthropogenic environments are growing, leading to an increase in
conflicts with humans. One particular conflict occurs when birds damage
garbage bags in order to access food items, causing waste
to be scattered around the local environment. Some local councils have
adopted reusable ‘gull-proof’ bags or bins, however this is not the norm
across Europe, with many places still using bags vulnerable to gulls.
One potential cost-effective method of reducing
bag damage is to make them unattractive or distasteful to gulls. This
Masters project will aim to determine factors that can deter gulls from
approaching and foraging in garbage bags utilising both captive birds
housed at the VOC and free-living birds in the
City of Ostend, Belgium.
This position is for a full year research masters based at the University of St Andrews, with a start date of January 27th 2020 (MSc (Res) - https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/subjects/study-options/pg/research-degrees/). The
successful candidate will have an enthusiasm for animal behaviour and
welfare and hold a BSc (or equivalent degree) in Biology, Psychology or
related discipline. An interest in seabird behaviour will be important
and previous experience of handling birds or
running behavioural experiments is desirable. The student will gain
experience in working with gulls in both captive and wild settings,
animal behavioural analysis and will get the chance to collect applied
data in a real-world setting.
All enquiries/initial applications should be emailed to kas21@st-andrews.ac.uk no later than the 24th October
2019. Interviews will be held before 1st November. If you wish to apply please send a cover letter and CV.
The student will officially be supervised by Professor Karen Spencer (St
Andrews), but will also collaborate with Professors Luc Lens, Frederick
Verbruggen (Ghent), Joah Madden (Exeter), Dr Eric Steinen (INBO,
Brussels) and Claude Velter (VOC Ostend).
Please note this is not a funded position, the successful candidate
would be expected to register for the MSc (Res) and would be responsible
for covering academic fees. Research expenses will be covered by the
supervisor.