A postdoc is available to work with Dr Hannah Rowland (Max
Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology) and Dr John Skelhorn (University
of Newcastle) to explore various aspects of masquerade.
Background: Masquerade is
an antipredator defence strategy in which species resemble inedible
objects, often inanimate, such as twigs, stones and
bird-droppings (Skelhorn, 2015; Skelhorn, Rowland, &
Ruxton, 2010; Skelhorn, Rowland, Speed, & Ruxton,
2010). Masqueraders are misclassified by their predators for the
object that they resemble (Skelhorn, Rowland, Speed, et al., 2010). The
function of masquerade has been tested and confirmed in the lab, but not
in the field.
This post: we
will explore the antipredator benefits of masquerade in the field, and
the information ecology that predators do (or don’t) use
about masquerade. The appointed postdoc will design and conduct a series
of field-based predation experiments using artificial prey, and work
towards using social network information about predation that can be
collected on PIT tagged populations of bird predators.
Requirements: We
are looking for someone who can lead field-based predation experiments,
and manage a team of field assistants. Excellent field skills will be
paramount, including experience of creating
artificial prey, conducting intensive and long-periods of
predation experiments, and managing multiple sites and experimental
blocks. Applicants should have the strong communicative
skills that fieldwork requires. Experience in studying animal cognition
is desirable. The candidate will also be willing to learn how
to incorporate social behavioural data into
their experimental design and analysis. This project will involve
fieldwork in both Germany and the UK, and will be based in Germany.
Further information
Specific skills and experience: please see https://drive.google.com/file/d/17BVF4cxbE3jGihtF02e6xN6jRbc-_xGr/view?usp=sharing
Funding: Until 31/01/2023
Location: Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Field sites: Jena, Germany, and University of Cambridge Madingley Wood
Can I work remotely? Field-based components of the research will take place in Jena and Cambridge. It is anticipated that the appointed postdoc will spend approx. 9-12 months in the field (not necessarily continuously). The candidate will be based in Jena.
Is there money to cover the postdoc attending conferences? Yes. Roughly 1 per year of appointment.
How to apply? Submit your CV, a cover letter outlining how you fit the selection criteria, and names of 3 people who will write you a letter of recommendation.
For further information contact Hannah Rowland hrowland@ice.mpg.de
References
Skelhorn, J. (2015). Masquerade. Current Biology, 25, R643–R644.
Skelhorn, J., Rowland, H. M., & Ruxton, G. D. (2010). The evolution and ecology of masquerade. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 99(1), 1-8.
Skelhorn, J., Rowland, H. M., Speed, M. P., & Ruxton, G. D. (2010). Masquerade: Camouflage Without Crypsis. Science, 327, 51.