Field Research Assistant Position, Tropical Avian Behaviour & Ecology, Budapest

 The social ecology of reproduction in an island bird
Field Assistant Position Sep-Dec 2024
Supervisory team: Dr G.C. McDonald, Dr A. Kosztolányi & Prof. Tamás Székely
University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Hungary
University of Bath, UK

We are looking to recruit a field assistant for a 3-month period to join our project investigating the role of the movement and the social environment in influencing patterns of reproduction. The project focuses on a natural population of ground-nesting plovers on the island of Maio, Cabo Verde. Our team has investigated the behaviour and ecology of this well-marked plover population since 2007, facilitating unique insights into the behaviour, demography, and ecology of this population. The research will include detailed population monitoring alongside GPS tagging and tracking of birds.

What we are seeking:
> A strong interest in animal behaviour or avian conservation.
> Experience with fieldwork, preferably with birds.
> Able to work effectively alone and as part of a team in remote areas for long periods in hot conditions
> Language skills in English are essential.
> Additional Portuguese language skills are highly valued.
> Basic skills in Excel.

What we offer:
> Training in shorebird science, behavioural and movement ecology.
> Experience as part of an international research team including researchers from Hungary, Austria, United Kingdom.
> Opportunity to contribute to conservation on the island in collaboration with a local NGO.
> Contribution to travel to the field site in Maio, Cabo Verde
> Basic accommodation for the period of fieldwork and a monthly contribution to living expenses.

Interested candidates should contact Dr Grant C. McDonald for further details or send their CV (max 2 pages) to grant.mcdonald@univet.hu by the 15th July 2024.

Selected references:
> Engel, N., McDonald, G., Sandercock, B. K., Rice, R., Moreno, R., Ratão, S., & Székely, T. (2023). Long-term decline in nest survival of a ground-nesting shorebird on a tropical island. Global Ecology and Conservation, 45, e02522. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2023.e02522
> McDonald, G. C., Engel, N., Ratão, S. S., Székely, T., & Kosztolányi, A. (2020). The impact of social structure on breeding strategies in an island bird. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 13872. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-70595-w
> Székely, T., Carmona-Isunza, M. C., Engel, N., Halimubieke, N., Jones, W., Kubelka, V., Rice, R., Tanner, C. E., Tóth, Z., Valdebenito, J. O., Wanders, K., & McDonald, G. C. (2024). The causes and implications of sex role diversity in shorebird breeding systems. Ibis, 166(2), 357–385. https://doi.org/10.1111/ibi.13277