jeudi 26 novembre 2020

Offre de stage de M2

 Recrutement d’un stagiaire de Master 2 pour 2021
Domaines : Ethologie ; Ecologie marine
TITRE DU SUJET DE STAGE : Etude de la structure du groupe et du métabolisme chez deux espèces
euryhalines : le mulet porc (Chelon ramada) et le mulet lippu (Chelon labrosus)
DESCRIPTION DE L’EQUIPE
Nom, Prénom Unité/Service de rattachement Statut Rôle dans le projet
Colchen, Tatiana Université de Rennes 1, BOREA,
BIOPAC
EEC Porteur
Bels Vincent ISYEB, Station Marine de Dinard Pr Co-porteur
Feunteun, Eric BOREA, Station marine de Dinard Pr Participant
Carpentier, Alexandre Université de Rennes 1, BOREA,
BIOPAC
MCF Participant
Trancart, Thomas BOREA, Station marine de Dinard CR Participant
Lamoureux, Jézabel Station marine de Dinard Technicien
ne
Responsable entretien
des animaux
DESCRIPTIF DU STAGE
Les mulets sont des téléostéens se répartissant largement sur les espaces côtiers et notamment en
estuaire probablement du fait de leur régime alimentaire particulier (limnivores) (Carpentier et al.,
2013) et de bonnes capacités d’osmorégulation (Daverat et al., 2011). Dans ce projet, nous nous
proposons de travailler sur deux espèces de mulets : le mulet porc Chelon ramada et le mulet lippu
Chelon labrosus. La phase migratoire est essentielle chez ces deux espèces, probablement à des degrés
différents, et pour autant celle-ci n’a pas été complétement décrite. En effet, il semblerait que les
mulets se déplacent en groupes, parfois plurispécifiques et composés d’individus de tailles différentes
(Arechavala-Lopez et al., 2010). A ce jour, la structure du groupe et les mécanismes proximaux
gouvernant la dynamique interne du groupe chez les mulets n’ont jamais été, à notre connaissance,
analysés.
L’objectif de ce stage sera de comprendre comment s’effectue le déplacement de ces espèces en
cherchant à connaitre s’il correspond à une agrégation sociale (shoal) ou à un groupe hautement
polarisé (school). En effet, le niveau d’interactions sociales n’est pas connu chez ces deux espèces, il
apparait donc nécessaire de comprendre ces interactions au niveau spécifique mais également
lorsqu’elles se déplacent ensemble. De plus, nous pouvons nous demander si leurs capacités
d’osmorégulation différentielles ont un impact sur la formation des groupes mais aussi sur le
métabolisme basal (taux métabolique standard) individuel, connu pour être impacté par la salinité
chez les poissons (Trancart et al., 2016). Ce stage reposera donc sur deux axes : (1) étudier la structure
de groupe et plus précisément de décrire le type de structure de groupe observé (shoal vs school) et
(2) explorer les mécanismes proximaux (locomotion individuelle et métabolisme basal) pouvant régir
la dynamique interne du groupe.
Il est donc prévu de maintenir des mulets des deux espèces à des tailles (âges) variées (juvéniles <1 an
à 4 ans) dans les mésocosmes de l’animalerie de la station marine de Dinard (CRESCO, MNHN). Afin
d’étudier la structure du groupe, les poissons seront placés dans un canal hydrodynamique (6 m de
long, 50 cm de large) nous permettant de simuler les mouvements d’une marée. Le comportement des
poissons sera alors filmé pour analyser la structure du groupe à l’aide de trois paramètres : la
dispersion, la cohésion et l’homogénéité (Colchen et al., 2017). Différentes modalités de composition
des groupes seront également testées en faisant varier la taille des individus et les espèces (groupes
mono- et plurispécifiques). En parallèle, certains individus (voire chaque groupe si cela est possible en
fonction de la taille des poissons) seront passés en tunnel de nage (2m de long et 30cm de diamètre)
afin d’étudier la consommation d’oxygène (VO2). Une caméra placée au-dessus du tunnel permettra
de filmer les poissons afin d’en analyser les capacités locomotrices. A partir des relevés cinématiques
de la locomotion à différentes vitesses nous pourrons mesurer la réponse musculaire et la force
motrice développée par chaque individu.
Le stagiaire devra assurer à l’aide des techniciens de la station le maintien des poissons en élevage
(nourrissage, entretien), les tests dans le canal hydrodynamique et les tunnels de nage ainsi que
l’analyse des vidéos et des données de respirométrie.
Références
Arechavala-Lopez, P., Uglem, I., Sanchez-Jerez, P., Fernandez-Jover, D., Bayle-Sempere, J. T., & Nilsen,
R. 2010. Movements of grey mullet Liza aurata and Chelon labrosus associated with coastal fish
farms in the western Mediterranean Sea. Aquaculture Environment Interactions 1(2), 127-136.
Carpentier, A., Como, S., Dupuy, C., et al. 2014. Feeding ecology of Liza spp. in a tidal flat: Evidence of
the importance of primary production (biofilm) and associated meiofauna. Journal of Sea
Research 92, 86-91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seares.2013.10.007
Colchen, T., Teletchea, F., Fontaine, P., Pasquet, A. (2017). Temperature modifies activity, interindividual
relationships and group structure in fish. Current Zoology 163, 175-183.
10.1093/cz/zow048.
Daverat F., Martin, J., Fablet, R., & Pécheyran C. (2011). Colonisation tactics of three temperate
catadromous species, eel Anguilla Anguilla, mullet Liza ramada and flounder Plathychtys flesus,
revealed by Bayesian multielemental otoliths microchemistry approach. Ecology of Freshwater
Fish 20, 42-51.
Trancart T., Feunteun E., Lefrançois C., et al. 2016. Difference in responses of two coastal species to
fluctuating salinities and temperatures: Potential modification of specific distribution areas in the
context of global change. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 173, 9-15.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2016.02.012
CONNAISSANCES OU COMPETENCES ACQUISES A L’ISSUE DU STAGE
Le stagiaire aura acquis les notions correspondant à la structure du groupe ainsi que les techniques
expérimentales et analytiques pour étudier ce phénomène. Il saura gérer un système d’élevage ainsi
que des structures expérimentales tout en prenant en compte le bien-être des animaux élevés. De
plus, si nécessaire, une formation est prévue sur les logiciels d’analyses de vidéos et de statistiques.
COMPETENCES SOUHAITEES
Savoir-être : Patience, rigueur, autonomie, travail en équipe
Savoir-faire : quelques connaissances en analyse de vidéos, des compétences statistiques (sur R)
seraient un plus
CARACTERISTIQUES DU STAGE :
- Nombre de mois de stage : 6 mois
- Lieu de stage : Expérimentation à Dinard + travail bibliographique et analyse de données à Rennes
- Dates prévues : 04/01/2021 au 30/06/2021 ou 1/04/2021 au 31/08/2021 (dates flexibles)
- Date prévue de soutenance du stage de Master : juin 2021 ou septembre 2021
- Gratification : oui selon la grille en vigueur des gratifications de stage en 2021
Un CV détaillé et une lettre de motivation sont à envoyer à Tatiana Colchen : tatiana.colchen@univrennes1.
fr au plus tard pour le 11 décembre. Pour les CV sélectionnés, un entretien sera prévu entre
le 14 et le 18 décembre.

Prix Jeune Chercheur Jane Goodall Institute France

 

La relation homme/animal est au cœur de la réflexion de notre société. Notre relation à la nature, à l’Autre est fondamentale. Le Docteur Jane Goodall a initié en 1960 des études sur les chimpanzés sauvages qui ont révolutionné notre rapport au règne animal.

Les études et recherches qui portent sur ce sujet sont fondamentales en ce qu’elles nous obligent à penser à notre rapport au monde.

C’est pourquoi le pôle scientifique du Jane Goodall Institute France a décidé de lancer un PRIX DU JEUNE CHERCHEUR JANE GOODALL FRANCE, pour récompenser des projets et/ou recherches menées sur cette thématique.

Trois prix sont décernés annuellement. Leur objectif est de venir confirmer l’excellence des travaux d’étudiants à l’aube de leur carrière scientifique, de leur offrir une aide financière afin de poursuivre leurs recherches et permettre une meilleure visibilité de leurs travaux.

Vous êtes un jeune chercheur en master, thèse ou post-doctorat : postulez !
Nous sommes impatients d’examiner vos projets !

 

Toutes les infos ici : https://janegoodall.fr/prix-du-jeune-chercheur-jane-goodall-institute-france/#:~:text=Les%20Prix%20du%20JEUNE%20CHERCHEUR,est%20dot%C3%A9%20de%20750%20euros.

 

mercredi 25 novembre 2020

Sex role evolution, breeding ecologyand conservation in shorebirds

 PhD studentship based in Debrecen, Hungary 20212025Supervisors: Prof Tamás Székely and Dr Vojtěch Kubelka(Debrecen University/University of Bath)Sex roles (i.e. courtship, competition for mates, pair bonding and parenting) are among the most diverse social behaviour. Recent research is uncovering key elements of sex role variation, but significant gaps remain. Appropriate sexual behaviour is essential for reproduction, and thus understanding the causes and implications of sex roles are at the core of evolutionary biology and fundamental for the study of life history evolution, physiology and population biology. Understanding sex roles and demography (reproduction and mortality rates) is also important for biodiversity conservation since disruptions to normal sexual behaviour due to environmental changes reduce the viability of wild populations.Our groupis running international projectÉLVONAL Shorebird Science: https://elvonalshorebirds.com/with teams distribute worldwide to investigate sex role evolution in shorebirds. This PhD project will focus on sex role behaviour in shorebirds. Using behavioural observations in wild populations it will investigate causes of display behaviour, pair bonding and parenting. The PhD student will test whether (i) sex role behaviours are induced by ambient environment, demographic parameters or social environment, (ii) explore the relationship between different sex role components, and (iii) test the fitness implications of sex role variations.We are also interested in conservation implications of shorebird field biology.The ideal candidate has a strong interest in evolutionary biology, behavioural ecology and field biology, andwilling to work in remote areas, e.g. Arctic Russia, South Africa, South America, Indiaor elsewhere. He/she needs to havea solid background in data analyses preferably in R, and statistical modelling. A condition of the application is a Master degree (or equivalent) in biology, zoology or similar subject. Experience in field ornithology and bird ringing is desirable but not essential. The studentship will start in September 2021. We are preferably seeking candidates willing to raise their own funding. Note that for students from eligible countries the Stipendium Hungaricum offers a scholarship programme www.stipendiumhungaricum.huDebrecen is the second largest city in Hungary and has a lively university community. The University of Debrecen was established in 1538, and it is one of the prestigious universities in Central Europe. The university has over 4000 students many are from abroad. The Department of Evolutionary Zoology & Human Biology is one of the leading departments in natural sciences.Debrecen’s surrounding has impressive wildlife that include Hortobágy National Park, a UNESCO-recognised protected area.Interested candidates should contact Dr Vojtěch Kubelka kubelkav@gmail.com.Applications that includea CV (max 3 pages) and a max 2 pagescover letter with personal motivation and the name and contact details of two references (both in English) should be sent to Dr Kubelkabefore deadline. Deadline of application: 6December 2020.ReferencesCarmona-Isunza, M C, C Küpper, M A Serrano-Meneses & T. Székely.2015. Courtship behavior differs between monogamous and polygamous plovers. Behavioral Ecology & Sociobiology69: 20352042.Kubelka V., Šálek M., Tomkovich P., Végvári Z., Freckleton R. P. & Székely T. 2018: Global pattern of nest predation is disrupted by climate change in shorebirds. Science362: 680683.Liker A., Freckleton R. P. & Székely T. 2015: The evolution of sex roles in birds is related to adult sex ratio. Nature Communications4(1587).Vincze, O., A. Kosztolányi, ... & T. Székely. 2016. Parental cooperation in a changing climate: fluctuating environments predict shifts in care division. Global Ecology and Biogeography26: 347358.

mardi 24 novembre 2020

Volunteer Grant Writer Needed - PASA

 The Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA), the largest association of wildlife centers in Africa, includes 23 organizations in 13 African countries that are securing a future for Africa’s primates. PASA strengthens our member organizations and works to build a global movement to save Africa’s great apes and monkeys. The combination of PASA’s worldwide network and our members’ local expertise uniquely positions the Alliance to make a significant, sustained impact.

PASA is offering a volunteer opportunity for a Grant Writer. Work is part-time, and you can pick the schedule and how many hours per week you want to work.

As PASA's Volunteer Grant Writer, you will learn how to research funding opportunities for nonprofit organizations, determine foundations' funding priorities, and write proposals that are tailored to the foundations' interests. These skills will be readily transferable to positions in nonprofit development, fundraising, research, and other fields that involve writing proposals.

Your goals will be to secure grants from foundations, zoos, and other funding sources.

Your specific roles will include:

- Learn about PASA's programs and the work of PASA's member sanctuaries in Africa

- Research foundations, zoos, and other organizations that may give grants to PASA

- Determine their funding priorities and decide what PASA programs match their priorities

- Write proposals that appeal to the funders' interests


Training is provided! 

To apply, please send your resume, a cover letter, and 2 or 3 writing samples to Kaitlyn at info@pasa.org

Offer of voluntary internship

 

The Many Chimps Project: ontogeny as a source of variation in chimpanzee vocal behaviour

The Many Chimps Project is a large-scale collaborative project that will examine the role ontogeny plays in generating geographic diversity in chimpanzee call acoustics. Early in human ontogeny, the acoustic characteristics of vocal behaviour are relatively similar across populations but show immense geographic diversity later in ontogeny. It is well-documented that adult chimpanzee vocalisations are also geographically variable, but almost nothing is known about how this emerges during ontogeny. This is a critical gap in our understanding of the phylogenetic roots of language. The Many Chimps Project will create a comprehensive database on chimpanzee call acoustics using pre-existing recordings and make comparisons of call acoustics between chimpanzees at the same stage in ontogeny across populations that differ in their ecology, social environment, and genetic composition. This will elucidate the process of chimpanzee vocal ontogeny and identify factors that influence this process, providing novel insights into the phylogenetic roots of language.

We are looking for a motivated post-graduate student to help extract acoustic measurements from ~ 7000 chimpanzee calls using pre-existing recordings of chimpanzee vocalizations from multiple field sites across Africa. Previous experience in coding chimpanzee calls, or familiarity with the chimpanzee vocal repertoire will be essential, as well as experience extracting acoustic measurements from audio recordings. An understanding of methodological issues in bioacoustics research will also be critical in order to select recordings that are suitable for analysis (i.e., those with minimal levels of irrelevant spectral noise). Understanding or experience of inter-rater reliability testing will be useful, although training can be provided on this. All work can be completed remotely if necessary and will occur during a period of 2 months full-time or 4 months part-time, with the possibility of extension.

Hosting laboratory :  ENES Lab (Saint-Etienne, France). https://www.eneslab.com/

Supervised in tandem with Derry Taylor, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, expert in chimpanzee vocal ontogeny. Contact: derry.taylor@unine.chDr Florence Levréro, ENES Lab (Saint-Etienne, France), expert in great ape vocal behaviour. Contact: florence.levrero@univ-st-etienne.fr

Offer to host a Chateaubriand fellowship in France

 

The Many Chimps Project: ontogeny as a source of variation in chimpanzee vocal behaviour

The Many Chimps Project is a large-scale collaborative project that will examine the role ontogeny plays in generating geographic diversity in chimpanzee call acoustics. Early in human ontogeny, the acoustic characteristics of vocal behaviour are relatively similar across populations but show immense geographic diversity later in ontogeny. It is well-documented that adult chimpanzee vocalisations are also geographically variable, but almost nothing is known about how this emerges during ontogeny. This is a critical gap in our understanding of the phylogenetic roots of language. The Many Chimps Project will create a comprehensive database on chimpanzee call acoustics using pre-existing recordings and make comparisons of call acoustics between chimpanzees at the same stage in ontogeny across populations that differ in their ecology, social environment, and genetic composition. This will elucidate the process of chimpanzee vocal ontogeny and identify factors that influence this process, providing novel insights into the phylogenetic roots of language.

We are looking for a PhD student at an American university to conduct research for this project in France, supported by a Chateaubriand Fellowship (https://chateaubriand-fellowship.org). This fellowship will primarily involve helping extract acoustic measurements from ~ 7000 chimpanzee calls using pre-existing recordings of chimpanzee vocalizations from multiple field sites across Africa and then performing data analysis. Previous experience in coding chimpanzee calls, or familiarity with the chimpanzee vocal repertoire will be essential, as well as experience extracting acoustic measurements from audio recordings. An understanding of methodological issues in bioacoustics research will also be critical in order to select recordings that are suitable for analysis (i.e., those with minimal levels of irrelevant spectral noise). Understanding or experience of inter-rater reliability testing will be useful, although training can be provided on this. The fellowship will last 4 – 9 months. The research should be conducted in France, although there are possibilities for remote working depending on the pandemic circumstances. The deadline for the Chateaubriand Fellowship is January 6th 2021. Interested students should contact the supervisors as soon as possible.

Hosting laboratory :  ENES Lab (Saint-Etienne, France). https://www.eneslab.com/

Supervised in tandem with Derry Taylor, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, expert in chimpanzee vocal ontogeny. Contact: derry.taylor@unine.chDr Florence Levréro, ENES Lab (Saint-Etienne, France), expert in great ape vocal behaviour. Contact: florence.levrero@univ-st-etienne.fr

PhD Opportunity - Bees and buzz pollination in crops

 

EASTBIO Bees and buzz pollination in crops: Evaluating the potential for matching bee vibrations and buzz-pollinated crops to improve fruit yield

University of Stirling, Scotland

(with Centre for Ultrasonic Engineering at the University of Strathclyde, and The James Hutton Institute)

 

Bee pollination is an ecological interaction with enormous importance across diverse natural environments and in many agricultural crops. A particularly intriguing type of interaction between bees and flowers is buzz pollination, which involves specialised flowers and vibration-producing bees. This interaction requires a specialised type of bee behaviour: the production of powerful thoracic vibrations applied to pollen-carrying structures in flowers. This behaviour has evolved in some bees (e.g. bumblebees) but not others (e.g., honeybees). Among plants, thousands of species have evolved flowers that require vibrations to be fully pollinated. Buzz-pollinated flowers usually keep pollen inside tubular structures (anthers or corolla tubes), which restrict pollen access and removal. Buzz-pollinated plants include important food crops such as tomato, blueberries, and kiwi. Buzz-pollinated crops grown in greenhouses or outdoor settings often require supplemental pollination to achieve full fruit set and to improve fruit quality. This supplemental pollination is often provided using mechanical shakers, or additional pollinators such as honeybees or bumblebees. However, the effectiveness of these treatments is enormously varied even within the same crop species. This diversity of outcomes could be explained by variation at the plant, bee or environmental levels. Previous work has shown that buzz-pollinating bees differ widely in the type of vibrations they can produce, and that the type of vibration applied to a flower determines pollen release, and potentially fruit quality. Moreover, environmental variables such as temperature and humidity may influence both the likelihood of bees producing vibrations or the effectiveness of these vibrations to release pollen from different types of flowers. The main goal of this project is to investigate what type of supplemental pollination is more effective at maximising fruit yield in buzz-pollinated soft fruits including blueberries. In this project, we will use laboratory and field experiments to address three questions: (1) What is the relationship between vibration properties (amplitude, frequency and duration) and pollen release and fruit quality across different varieties of blueberries? (2) What are the properties of the vibrations used by buzz-pollinating bees while visiting experimental plots of different varieties of blueberries? (3) What is the effect of increased temperature and humidity on the capacity of buzz-pollinating bees to release pollen from flowers? Our experimental approach will include laboratory experiments investigating the biomechanical properties of buzz pollination using bees, accelerometers, mechanical shakers, particle counters, and laser vibrometers. The biomechanical component of the study will involve regular work with the Centre for Ultrasonic Engineering at the University of Strathclyde. Glasshouse and field trials of bee vibrations, pollen removal and fruit set will be carried out at both the University of Stirling and The James Hutton Institute, which hosts a large live collection of blueberry cultivars and has extensive experience with the pollination of food crops. Experiments of buzz-pollination under varying temperatures and humidity conditions will be carried out at the Controlled Environment Facilities at the University of Stirling. The results of this project are of great relevance for food security in the context of declining populations of bee pollinators and will offer insights into the effects of increases in temperature associated with climate change on the pollination effectiveness of buzz-pollinating insects.

 

This is a full-time opportunity.

 

https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/eastbio-bees-and-buzz-pollination-in-crops-evaluating-the-potential-for-matching-bee-vibrations-and-buzz-pollinated-crops-to-improve-fruit-yield/?p126242

 

jeudi 19 novembre 2020

NERC DTP PhD project: Ecological drivers and conservation implications of parental care diversity in vertebrates

 

NERC DTP PhD project - Ecological drivers and conservation implications of parental care diversity in vertebrates - a phylogenetic comparative study on the evolution of parental care diversity

Lead Supervisor: Dr Isabella Capellini (Queen's University Belfast) 
Co-Supervisor: Dr Greta Bocedi & Dr Lesley Lancaster (University of Aberdeen), Dr Domhnall Jennings (Queen's University Belfast)

There are astonishing differences in whether, how, and how long for, animals care for their offspring. In most species, such as many marine fishes, parents abandon their fertilized eggs to their own destiny, which is mostly being eaten by predators. Conversely, parents of other species provide protection and resources to their offspring. While parental care increases offspring survival, it also comes at considerable costs for the parents because resources and time are limited. Once evolved, not only does care affect the fitness of parents and offspring, but it also alters life history strategies, is related to sexual selection and mating system, leads to cooperation and conflict within the family, and promotes the evolution of sociality. Yet, we know very little about when care evolves and its knock-on effects on species reproduction, population dynamics and extinction risk. 

 

Following our successful approach focusing on diversity in parental care [1,2], this project combines state-of-the-art phylogenetic comparative approaches, datasets of parental care behaviours for hundreds of vertebrate species, and cutting-edge evolutionary modelling, to: 

(i)         Investigate which ecological conditions promote the evolution of care diversity;

(ii)        Unravel how reproductive traits co-evolve with different care forms;

(iii)        Evaluate how care diversity influences population trends and extinction risk. 

 

The student will have the opportunity to shape the project by deciding the extent of theoretical modelling vs empirical analyses; selecting the model groups; expanding or reducing the components as best suited to their interests.

 

The student will be trained on data collection, data management, numeracy, statistical analyses, specifically:

i.          Assemble accurate datasets on parental care diversity, ecological and reproductive traits, population trends and extinction risk for hundreds of species, using published data;

ii.          Test theoretical predictions with phylogenetic comparative approaches in R and BayesTraits;

iii.         Derive quantitative predictions with evolutionary modelling to guide the empirical analyses. 

 


Essential skills: the ideal candidate will hold a first-class degree in biology, ecology, zoology or related discipline; have very strong quantitative skills, outstanding organisational skills, excellent attention to detail, knowledge of phylogenetic methods.

 

Desirable skills: a Masters degree in a relevant discipline, previous research experience with phylogenetic comparative methods and/or mathematical modelling, evolutionary biology and/or theoretical ecological modelling. 

Deadline for application: 18th of January 2021. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Dr Capellini (I.CapelliniATqub.ac.uk) to discuss their application and/or to find out more about the project.




mardi 17 novembre 2020

Offre de stage M2 - Dessine-moi un mouton : de nouvelles mesures pour caractériser les propriétés esthétiques et la signification des dessins chez les enfants et les grands singes

 

Nous recherchons un.e étudiant.e pour un stage de master 2 de 5 mois.

Profil recherché rattaché aux sciences biologiques, et/ou cognitives, et/ou mathématiques


Programme de recherche. Dessine-moi un mouton : de nouvelles mesures pour caractériser les propriétés esthétiques et la signification des dessins chez les enfants et les grands singes 

Description. De l’art pariétal de nos ancêtres au graphisme 3D d’aujourd’hui, le dessin tient une place importante dans nos vies. Les enfants commencent à dessiner dès le plus jeune âge, des gribouillages puis des représentations concrètes. Ces dessins attirent notre attention, mais nous laissent souvent perplexes, car nous n’arrivons pas à comprendre ce qui a été dessiné avec nos yeux d’adultes. Le dessin est aussi décrit chez certains animaux, notamment les grands singes. Sans langage commun, il nous est impossible de les questionner et de savoir s’il y a une représentation et des propriétés esthétiques derrière leurs dessins. Afin de comprendre l’évolution des dessins chez les enfants et les grands singes, nous avons besoin de trouver de nouvelles mesures objectives qui permettent de comparer les différents groupes de dessinateurs. 

Porteurs de projet.

Cédric Sueur, maître de conférences à l’Université de Strasbourg

Marie Pelé, chargée de recherche à l’Université Catholique de Lille

Objectifs du stage. L’étudiant.e sera en charge de mesurer différents indices caractérisant les 1500 dessins collectés auprès de cinq orang-outangs du Zoo de Tama, près de Tokyo, au Japon. Les mesures de ces dessins seront comparées au sein du groupe, mais également avec celles de dessins de chimpanzés (n=9) et d’enfants humains. L’étudiant.e travaillera en équipe avec les deux porteurs de projet ainsi qu’un doctorant.

Domaines et disciplines. Ce stage comme le programme de recherche auquel il appartient, se place à l’interface de plusieurs disciplines telles que l’éthologie, la primatologie, les mathématiques et l’informatique. Le profil recherché peut donc être rattaché aux sciences biologiques, et/ou cognitives, et/ou mathématiques.

Compétences souhaitées. Patience, rigueur, autonomie, travail en équipe, analyses statistiques et mathématiques sous R, logiciels de traitement d’images GIMP/Photoshop.

Lieu de stage. DEPE, IPHC, Strasbourg, France, http://www.iphc.cnrs.fr/

Gratifications. Oui (577,5 € par mois), plus pris en charge de l’abonnement au transport public strasbourgeois CTS.

Début et durée de stage. à partir de janvier 2020 pour 5 mois.

Un CV détaillé en lien avec l’offre de stage et une lettre de motivation sont à envoyer aux deux porteurs de projet :

Marie Pelé (marie.pele@univ-catholille.fr) et Cédric Sueur (cedric.sueur@iphc.cnrs.fr).

2 offres de Thèse financées (UCD, Dublin, Irlande) - Mécanismes "anti-âge" chez les chauves-souris

 

2 PhD Studentships available in Teeling BatLab at University College Dublin, Ireland
http://batlab.ucd.ie
Elucidation of the “anti-ageing” mechanisms evolved in bats.
Application closing date: 30th November 2020


Background:
Ageing is the leading risk factor for major life-threatening conditions, such as cancer,
neurodegeneration and cardiovascular disorders. Despite centuries of study, the complexity of the
ageing process has hampered our understanding of what drives ageing, with multiple theories of how
and why we age, but little consensus. To date, most ageing studies have been carried out in laboratory
model species, as they are easier to manipulate, house and have shorter lifespan. Although substantial
progress has been made in extending lifespan and healthspan in these short-lived model organisms,
there is limited evidence that these approaches will be effective in more long-lived species such as
humans. An alternative approach is to explore ageing in species that are even more ‘ageingresistant’
than humans and have naturally evolved longer healthspans. By far the most successful
mammals in this regard are bats, living up to 8 times longer than expected and showing little signs of
ageing. Logistically it is difficult to study bats in an ageing context, as most are only found in the wild,
are protected, are too small for-non lethal sampling and not easily maintained in captivity. However
the Teeling team has uniquely overcome these problems, by developing the field, laboratory and
state-of-the-art genomic methodologies required to ascertain the molecular age related changes
that occur in wild bats, allowing us for the first time to uncover the molecular basis of bats’
extraordinary longevities.

Two fully funded four year PhD studentships (fees, expenses for the project, 18,000k euro per
year stipend, funded by Science Foundation Ireland Future Frontiers Award, LongHealth) are
available to join the Teeling lab, available from January 2021.

Project (1): Ascertain the age-related molecular changes in short- vs long-lived bats
In this four year fully funded PhD the student will study multiple species of bats in an ageing context
across the longevity spectrum (e.g. short- vs medium- vs long-lived bats) to reveal both convergent and
divergent anti-ageing adaptations in long-lived versus shorter lived bats. These species were chosen
based on their differential longevities across the expected ageing spectrum: two long-lived, two shortlived,
two average longevities. Each population has been studied extensively with known demography
and life histories and is suitable for non-lethal sampling of known aged individuals, across their
lifespans. All populations will be sampled at single time-points over 2-4 field seasons with ongoing
field experts (locations: France, UK, Panama, Slovenia) and zoo/captive colony collaborators (locations:
Denmark, USA). Using the field methods and laboratory protocols established in the Teeling lab
(batlab.ucd.ie), the student will sequence the full blood transcriptome and estimate telomere attrition,
across each age cohort (young-middle-old age) per species. These data will be used to ascertain if
longer-lived bats have evolved the same or divergent longevity mechanisms; if the ageing profile of
bats is different to other mammals and to identify the non-coding RNA regulation of these
transcriptomic age-related signatures. This integrative research (i.e. bat field biology, comparative
transcriptomics, genomics, molecular ageing biology) will uncover the longevity pathways evolved in
long- vs shorter-lived bats and predict the non-coding regulatory regions of these transcriptomic
signatures, thus narrowing down shared and divergent pathways that may drive longer healthspan in
mammals.
Preferred Start: January 2021.

Project (2): Elucidate the genomic basis of longer healthspan in bats.
Twenty-seven new bat chromosome-level genomes, representing all bat families are being generated
using novel sequencing technologies (e.g. Pac-Bio, Hi-Ci-Dovetail, 10X) part of Bat1K
(www.bat1k.com). These genomes will be near complete error-free assemblies and will include the sixbat
species to be studied at the population level (Project 1), and selected pairs of phylogenetically
matched short- vs long-lived bat species. The student will use these new genomes to ascertain the
evolution of unique longevity pathways in bats compared with other mammals using both a candidate
gene/pathway approach and also using a whole genome wide unbiased approach. In particular the
student will uncover regions of the genome under convergent/divergent evolution in long- vs shortlived
mammals and long- vs short-lived bats using state of the art comparative genomics and
phylogenomic methods. These data will be compared with the on-going population analyses of PhD
project 1, to ascertain if the in silico predicted genomic regions driving longevity adaptations in bats
uncovered, correlate with longevity signatures in the population level-ageing transcriptome studies.
These analyses will discover the genomic regions under selection in bats, which may underlie bats’
longer healthspan and will be the basis for further validation.
Possible start dates: January 2021; May 2021; September 2021.

Candidates:
We are seeking highly motivated students interested in uncovering the genomic basis of the unique
traits evolved in mammals, focussing on extended healthspan adaptations in bats. Students with at least
a 2:1 honours BSc and/or MSc in Biology (or other relevant disciplines), with relevant research
experience (project 1: e.g. small mammal field work, laboratory bench work, comparative
genomics; project 2: e.g. programming skills, genomic statistics, bioinformatics, phylogenomics)
with proven writing and communication skills and who are self-motivated and independent will be the
most competitive. Students will join a vibrant and integrative research team with collaborators
throughout the world, and therefore should be enthusiastic about working in a collaborative
environment. Evidence of oral and written competence in the English language is required.

Application Details:
Applicants should submit the following to emma.teeling@ucd.ie as a single pdf, using the email
subject header- Longhealth Project 1 or Longhealth Project 2:
1. A cover letter outlining their interest in either project 1 or project 2 and their relevant experience
2. A detailed CV (including a list of any publications if applicable)
3. The names and contact details of two academic referees

Closing date 30th November 2020.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:
UCD is committed to creating an inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated, and everyone is
afforded equality of opportunity. To that end the university adheres to a range of equality, diversity and
inclusion policies. We encourage applicants to consult those policies here
https://www.ucd.ie/equality/. We welcome applications from everyone, including those who identify
with any of the protected characteristics that are set out in our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy.


Assistant de recherche, CDD (UCD, Dublin, Irlande) - Mécanismes "anti-âge" chez les chauves-souris

 

Research Assistant, UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science, Temporary post ending 31 November 2025 (Ideally commencing January 2021)
Posted on Nov 09, 2020Ref: 012765
University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

Applications are invited for a temporary post of a Research Assistant within UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science.

Ageing is the gradual and irreversible breakdown of living systems associated with the advancement of time, which leads to an increase in vulnerability and eventual mortality. Despite recent advances in ageing research, the intrinsic complexity of the ageing process and what is termed 'healthy ageing' has prevented a full understanding of this process. Therefore, ageing while maintaining health remains a grand challenge in contemporary biology.

The aim of LongHealth, a five year research programme funded by Science Foundation Ireland, is to uncover and validate the regulation of molecular pathways that drive longer healthspan in mammals, using bats as an alternative model system. This will provide a better understanding of the ageing process and its genomic regulation, thus identifying novel molecular targets that in the future, could be modified to alleviate human ageing.

To do this, wild populations of exceptionally long-lived and short-lived bats will be studied as they age- integrating cutting-edge comparative phylogenomics, with novel ex-vivo cell biology and wildlife population transcriptomics- to uncover the protective cellular mechanisms that have evolved in bats to enable them have longer 'health-spans'.

This project will integrate small mammal field work, with comparative genomics, transcriptomics, comparative cell and ageing biology. The RA will be involved in all aspects of this research, from field biology, comparative genomics and cell biology and will work closely with PI Teeling in further developing molecular assays and generating the required data.

Salary: €23,061 - €32,596 per annum
 Appointment on the above range will be dependent on qualifications and experience.

Closing date: 17:00hrs (local Irish time) on 7 December 2020.

Applications must be submitted by the closing date and time specified. Any applications which are still in progress at the closing time of 17:00hrs (Local Irish Time) on the specified closing date will be cancelled automatically by the system. UCD are unable to accept late applications.

Prior to application, further information (including application procedure) should be obtained from the Work at UCD website: https://www.ucd.ie/workatucd/jobs/

Job Opportunity - Assay Services Research Specialist, Wisconsin National Primate Research Center

 

The WNPRC is currently seeking highly motivated individual candidates for a Research Specialist position (job number 228791-AS) within Assay Services. The Research Specialist will participate in the high throughput analyses of human and nonhuman primate hormonal samples. A Bachelor’s degree, as well as basic laboratory experience, is required. Experience measuring analytes by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry is desirable. Candidates must be well-organized and able to work both within a team and independently.
 
To learn more about this opportunity and to apply online, please go to:
 
 
If you have any questions about the application process, please contact a member of WNPRC HR and we can assist you. Application deadline is November 27, 2020 at 11:55pm.

lundi 16 novembre 2020

PHD POSITION & CAMP MANAGER, SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR, COGNITION AND CULTURE IN CHIMPANZEES OF THE TAÏ NATIONAL PARK, CÔTE D’IVOIRE

 Taï Chimpanzee Project

Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, GER

Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d’Ivoire, BP 1303, Abidjan 01, Côte d’Ivoire

 

PHD POSITION & CAMP MANAGER

 

SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR, COGNITION AND CULTURE IN CHIMPANZEES OF THE TAÏ NATIONAL PARK, CÔTE D’IVOIRE

 

We are offering a PhD position working on a topic related to social behaviour, cognition and culture in wild chimpanzees. In addition the PhD candidate will be responsible for the management of the Taï Chimpanzee Project (50% of working time). The position will start on January 1, 2021, (or a.s.a.p. afterwards) and will require to stay several years at the Taï Chimpanzee Project, Côte d’Ivoire. Our general interest is to understand the cognition (action planning) and behavioural diversity of wild chimpanzees. We are looking across several neighbouring communities of chimpanzees in Tai National Park.

 

Qualification and requirements:

MSc (or comparable degree) in Biology, Evolutionary Anthropology or Evolutionary Psychology. Good knowledge in evolutionary biology, animal behaviour, ecology and social cognition are crucial for a successful application, as well as experience in managing a field site. Previous observations and detailed behavioural data collection on wild mammals are of advantage. The PhD candidate will need to work independently in a remote and physically demanding tropical forest habitat. Good social and communication skills are important to work and live amongst a group of international colleagues and local staff with different cultural backgrounds. Resilience to psychological and physical stress is conditional. The successful candidate is fluent in French and English. Previous experience with field work will be beneficial to the application.

 

Salary / funding:

The position is funded for 3 + 1 year. After collecting data at the field-site, the successful candidate will write a research proposal to apply for grant money.

 

Start and term of appointment:

Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Primatology

 

Starting January 2021, or as soon as possible afterwards, the successful applicant will be located for at least two years in the Tai National Park (2021 and 2022). Tenure of the position is three years (+ one possible year extension).

Comments: Applications include a cover letter stating research interest and experience, field experience and experience of managing field sites, a detailed curriculum vitae, a short research proposal in the realm of chimpanzee sociality and the names and e-mail addresses of three referees.

The application documents should be sent electronically to wittig@eva.mpg.de. The evaluation of applications will start on December 10, 2020, and applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Contact information:

Dr. Roman Wittig

MPI EVA, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany+49 341 3550 215

www.taichimps.org

vendredi 13 novembre 2020

Research Specialist wanted in the Kalin Lab at UW–Madison

 

The Department of Psychiatry is seeking a Research Specialist to join the Kalin Lab. Individuals who have experience in the handling and manipulation of nonhuman primates and experience with neuroimaging are highly encouraged to apply!

To learn more about this opportunity and to apply online, please go to:


The application deadline is November 25, 2020 at 11:55 PM.


Stagiaire F/H Capture/Marquage Marmottes alpines 2021 - Savoie (73)

 

Type de contrat : Stage conventionné (étudiants uniquement)

Niveau d'études : BAC+2

Durée : Max 44 jours, du 10/05 au 04/06 ET du 15/06 au 12/07 (dates approximatives)

Région : Rhône-Alpes

Ville : Tignes (Savoie 73)

Description de l’offre :

L'équipe Écologie Evolution Adaptation et Comportement du Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Évolutive (Université Claude Bernard-Lyon1) suit une population de marmottes alpines depuis bientôt 30ans. Nous sommes à la recherche de stagiaires bénévoles pour participer à la campagne annuelle de terrain. Le travail consistera à participer à un suivi à long terme (initié en 1990) d'une population de marmottes alpines située dans la réserve de la Grande Sassière (2400m d'altitude, Vanoise) dans les Alpes françaises entre les communes de Tignes et Val d'Isère (Savoie 73).

Ce suivi combine, un protocole de capture-marquage-recapture, des mesures biométriques, un protocole de comptage et des protocoles d'observations comportementales, dans l'objectif d'acquérir des données visant à répondre à la fois à des questions de biologie évolutive et de dynamique des populations. Durant le stage, l'étudiant acquerra de nombreuses compétences de terrain telles que les techniques de capture, de manipulation et d'observations de la faune sauvage. Attention, il s'agit ici uniquement de travail de terrain, pas de stage pouvant conduire à de l'analyse de données ou à la rédaction d'un rapport (impossible d’y allouer du temps sur le terrain, possible en autonomie hors-terrain. Pour les M1 intéressés, nous contacter directement pour étudier la situation au cas par cas.

Pour en savoir plus sur les thématiques de recherche:

https://lbbe.univ-lyon1.fr/-Equipe-Evolution-Adaptation-et-Comportement-.html*

 

Mission :

La mission consistera en un travail de recherche de terrain. Capture-marquage-recapture des individus, aide à la manipulation des marmottes (mesures biométriques, prélèvements biologiques…), comptage et observations comportementales.

 

Profil Candidat/e :

Nous ne pouvons prendre que des étudiant/es car une convention de stage est OBLIGATOIRE. Il est indispensable que le stagiaire soit disponible sur toute la période.

 

Niveau d'études : BAC+2

Motivation: Il s'agit d'un travail difficile, qui ne laisse pas (ou peu) de temps pour soi. 

Aimer le travail en équipe, être facile à vivre et aimer la vie en communauté (équipe de 6 personnes).  Rigueur, disponibilité et flexibilité: le travail implique des animaux sauvages, les horaires de travail dépendent donc des marmottes et du climat. 

Apprécier la montagne et la nature: le travail implique d'être dehors toute la journée, le froid et les conditions de vie rudimentaires ne doivent pas faire peur. 

Indemnisation : Le stage n’est pas indemnisé, mais le transport, la nourriture, et l’hébergement sont pris en charge.

Durée : Maximum de 44j de travail effectif, avec des dates approximatives (décision en fonction des conditions climatiques hivernales) comprises du 10/05 au 04/06 ET du 14/06 au 12/07. Il n'y a pas d'horaires fixes, les heures de travail dépendent des animaux et sont conséquents. 

ATTENTION: Les conditions sont difficiles, du fait du climat montagnard et de la promiscuité au quotidien avec les autres membres de l’équipe.

Contact :

Si vous êtes intéressé(e) par ce stage, s’il vous plaît contactez Sylvia Pardonnet (objet: «assistant de terrain»)  à  l’adresse  suivante:  sylvia.pardonnet@univ-lyon1.fr  avec  une  lettre  de  motivation  et  un CV en pièces jointes, et ce avant le 04 décembre 2020.

Nom de l'entreprise: LBBE

Thématique: Recherche et environnement

Adresse: UFR ST - UMR5558 - UCBL1, Bâtiment Grégoire Mendel (741) – 16, rue Raphael Dubois 69622 Villeurbanne

Site web: http://lbbe.univ-lyon1.fr/