We are seeking to recruit two PhD students to study
animal personalities, foraging strategies, and their ensuing
life history consequences in Galápagos sea lions (Zalophus
wollebaeki) in the research group of Oliver Krüger at the
Department of Animal Behaviour at Bielefeld University, Germany
(uni-bielefeld.de/fakultaeten/biologie/forschung/
arbeitsgruppen/behaviour).
Field
work will take place on Caamaño, a small, beautiful island
near Puerto Ayora in the centre of the Galápagos
archipelago. We have studied Galápagos sea lions there since
2003 with most animals being individually marked. Field
seasons on Caamaño last from September-December and
February-March each year. Work on Caamaño includes daily
census rounds, a variety of behavioural response tests,
behavioural observations, and captures of animals for
tagging, growth assessment, biologging deployment, and
sample collection (for genetic, stable isotope, and hormone
analysis). Caamaño is isolated from civilisation and has no
facilities, so an ability to work under truly primitive
conditions is essential.
The
preferred starting date is 15th of September 2021, as the
PhD students need to be trained during the next field season
on Galápagos starting around the 1st of October 2021. All
expenditure with regard to the field season will be covered,
but the salary can only commence in January 2022. Both
positions are part of a continuation proposal of a
Collaborative Research Centre (CRC), with the final decision
being made by the German Research Foundation in late 2021.
Therefore, the final confirmation of the PhD can only be
given at the end of the field season. Both positions will
then be available for four years, starting on January 1st
2022 and are funded with a gross salary of ca. € 2700 per
month.
We
seek bright and highly motivated students who have a proven
record of field experience studying wild animals. A very
good master’s degree or an equivalent in a relevant field
(e.g., animal behaviour, behavioural ecology, population
ecology, evolutionary ecology) is expected. The ideal
candidates will be able to work both independently and as
part of a multidisciplinary team, will have experience in
statistics and, in addition to excellent spoken and written
English, will either be able to speak Spanish or are willing
to learn it.
The
PhD students will be based at the Department of Animal
Behaviour at Bielefeld University (https://uni-bielefeld.de/uni/profil)
and supervised by Oliver Krüger, Fritz Trillmich, and Joe
Hoffman. The department is the oldest of its kind in Germany
and currently hosts seven principal investigators, ten
postdocs, and 20 PhD students from over ten different
countries working on related topics in behaviour, ecology,
and evolution. It offers a stimulating international
environment and an excellent research infrastructure. The
working language of the Department is English. Bielefeld is
a city of 333,000 inhabitants, having an odd blend of big
city flair infused with pockets of quiet, simple rural life
and easy access to the Teutoburger Forest for hiking and
other outdoor pursuits.
To
apply please send (i) your CV, (ii) a letter of motivation
including a 1-2-page statement of your research experience,
and (iii) the contact details of three referees as a single
PDF file to: oliver.krueger@uni-bielefeld.de.
Review
of applications will begin on August 1st 2021 until the
positions are filled. For further information, please see www.uni-bielefeld.de/fakultaeten/biologie/forschung/arbeitsgruppen/behaviour/team/
galapagos-sea-lion or contact Jonas Schwarz via email (jonas.schwarz1@uni-bielefeld.de)
with any informal inquiries.
The
University of Bielefeld is an equal opportunity employer. We
particularly welcome applications from women and handicapped
people. Given equal suitability, qualifications and
professional achievement, women and handicapped people will
be given preference, unless particular circumstances apply.