Post-doctoral position in animal behaviour

Project title: Aggression in social animals: Effects of group size, resource holding potential and costs of fighting on the outcome of battles.

School of Biological Sciences, The University of Plymouth.

Closing date: Friday 7th March 2008.
Starting salary: RES7 currently £28,289

Applications are invited for a post-doctoral research associate to work on a BBSRC funded project (36 months duration) with Dr. Mark Briffa on agonistic interactions between rival groups of red wood ants Formica rufa. The project will investigate the influence of group size and resource holding potential on contest outcomes.

The project will include a mixture of field work and laboratory work, with field work being concentrated in the spring and summer. The successful applicant should have a PhD in animal behaviour or behavioural ecology, preferably in contest behavior or a related area. Experience in any area of entomology, invertebrate behavior or physiology or in mathematical modeling would also be desirable.

Contact: For informal enquiries, contact Mark Briffa Tel. 0044 (0)1752 232954, mark.briffa@plymouth.ac.uk

Application forms at:
http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/pages/view.asp?page=4198

PhD Project - Evolutionary dynamics in multi-species assemblages

Division of Biology, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, UK
Supervisor: Tim Barraclough

Environments change over a range of time-scales. Therefore, a key task for understanding the dynamics of living systems, and for predicting the impacts of human activity on those systems, is to understand how ecosystems respond to environmental change. However, most studies have considered ecological responses (changes in species abundance and distribution) and evolutionary responses (changing genotypes and adaptation) separately. For example, ecosystem studies normally assume that species attributes are fixed, under the assumption that evolution operates over much longer timescales than ecological processes. In contrast, evolutionary studies mostly consider single species or pairs of interacting species such as pathogens and hosts. Yet, most organisms live in species rich assemblages in which the characteristics and responses of co-occurring species could have a big impact on how each species in turn responds to a given environmental change.

This project will use theory, evolution experiments and field surveys of bacteria from the tree-holes of beech (1) to test key hypotheses concerning the interaction between evolutionary and ecological responses to environmental change. Does diversity inhibit evolution as predicted by recent theoretical models (2)? Can evolvability explain which species survive periods of environmental change? Do species coevolve according to Red Queen dynamics or is the abiotic environment a more important source of selection?

We're looking for a student with a good first degree and Masters degree (or equivalent experience). NERC funding is open to UK residents or EU nationals who have spent the last three years in the UK for education or employment
(www.nerc.ac.uk/funding/available/postgrad/eligibility.asp).
We also invite applications from other students who have access to their own funding sources, for example scholarships through their home countries.

To apply, please reply by the 29th February, but preferably ASAP, sending a CV and a brief letter explaining why you are interested in this PhD to Tim Barraclough at t.barraclough@imperial.ac.uk.

References
1) Bell, T, JA Newman, BS Silverman, SL Turner, & AK Lilley.2005. The
contribution of species richness and composition to bacterial services.
Nature 436: 1157-1160
2) De Mazancourt C, E Johnson & TG Barraclough 2008. Biodiversity
inhibits species' evolutionary responses to changing environments.
Ecology Letters. In Press.

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Dr. Timothy G. Barraclough,
Reader in Evolutionary Biology,
Imperial College London and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

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Division of Biology
Imperial College London
Silwood Park Campus
Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7PY, UK
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7594 2247
Fax: +44 (0)20 7594 2339
Web-page: www.imperial.ac.uk/people/t.barraclough

PhD Position in Evolutionary and Physiological Ecology

We are looking for a PhD student (m/f) in evolutionary and physiological ecology. The PhD position is part of the project /Evolutionary consequences of an urbanizing world/ funded by the Volkswagen-Foundation within the research initiative /Evolutionary Biology/ (http://www.volkswagenstiftung.de/index.php?id=3&L=1).

In this project we study the urbanization of animals and its ecological and evolutionary consequences. The human impact in the global biosphere now controls many major facets of ecosystem function. One of the most striking man-made environmental changes is the existence and rapidly ongoing spread of urban areas. Human ecological impact has enormous evolutionary consequences as well and can greatly accelerate evolutionary change in the species around us. Anecdotal observations and recent studies suggest that urbanization does not only affect the overall species composition and certain aspects of the phenology but may change the behavior and physiology of individuals thriving in urban areas, as well. Using a combined field- and laboratory approach the aim of this PhD-project is to investigate whether urban life changes the general behavioral disposition (similar to the personality types in humans) and the underlying physiological coping mechanisms (e.g. stress physiology) of European blackbirds (/Turdus merula/). A common garden experiment will be used to examine the potential evolutionary consequences of the rapidly urbanizing world.

Requirements:
We are looking for an enthusiastic person, who is interested in behavioral ecology, physiology (endocrinology) and evolution, with good organizational skills, able to work independently as well as in a team (field experience with birds is advantageous), who would like to take this unique opportunity to combine field with lab work at the well-equipped Max-Planck-Institute for Ornithology.

Appointment:
Starting date is May 1 2008. The appointment will be on a temporary basis for a maximum of 4 years. The gross salary starts at approximately 1400,- per month depending on age and experience (TVöD 13/2, Stufe 1).

Information:
Additional information about this appointment is available upon request from Jesko Partecke (partecke@orn.mpg.de or ++49-8152-373-117). More general information about the Max-Planck-Institute for Ornithology can be found on our website (http://orn.mpg.de/).

Application:
Please send your application including complete curriculum vitae, a transcript of the university diplomas, a summary of the Master's (Diploma's) thesis and names of three referees to Dr. Jesko Partecke at the Dept. Behavioral Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics, Max-Planck-Institute for Ornithology, Von-der-Tannstr. 7, 82346 Andechs/Erling, Germany, or by email to partecke@orn.mpg.de.
The closing date for application is March 31 2008, and the interviews will take place in the first week of April.

Appel à communication

Dans le cadre de la conférence internationale de Zoologie, la SFECA organise un symposium sur le thème « Plasticité phénotypique et comportement ».

Phenotypic plasticity and Behaviour

According to environmental conditions, a genotype can lead to different phenotypes which will affect the morphology, the physiology or the behaviour of organisms. Behavioural plasticity can be found in many taxa, in a wide range of contexts (parental care, reproduction, social behaviour, foraging behaviour, dispersion as well as cognition).

The three key-note speakers will consider and illustrate such a diversity in this symposium:
- P. Jaisson, Université Paris 13 : " The nature/nurture dilemma revisited by clonal ants"
- Michael D. Greenfield, Université François Rabelais, Tours : "Phenotypic plasticity, genotype x environment interaction, and the (un)reliability of animal mating signals"
- Sue Healy, University of Edinburgh "Sex difference in cognition"

Nous vous invitons à soumettre dès maintenant vos résumés de communication sur ce thème.

Abstract instructions and submission

Deadline for Abstract Submission : 1st April 2008.
The web page for abstract submission linked to registration will open on 1st December 2007. Early registration and abstract submission will terminate on 1st April 2008.
Abstracts must be submitted for all poster and oral presentations, including symposium contributions.
Only contributions by authors who have paid registration fees will be accepted.
Submission format
Abstracts must not exceed 250 words, excluding the names and addresses of authors, and the title. The first line should contain the abstract title. The second line should contain the names of authors (the name of the presenting author should be marked with an asterisk). This line should be followed by a list of author affiliations and current addresses. Each author and their corresponding address should be identified with numbered superscripts.
All abstracts will be reviewed and edited by an editorial committee.Information confirming acceptance of the abstract, type of contribution (poster, oral, symposium) and date/time of presentation will be sent to the corresponding author. Depending on the scheduling possibilities, the local committee will decide between oral and poster. Minor revisions of style, grammar, and spelling will be done for clarity and consistency when necessary without notification of the authors. If you do not want your abstract to be edited without notification, please indicate so on the submission form.

Pour toute information sur le 20th International Congress of Zoology qui se déroulera à Paris du 26 au 29 août 2008 et pour vous inscrire : http://icz2008.snv.jussieu.fr/

Stages Przewalski 2008

L’Association pour le cheval de Przewalski, Takh, organise des stages d’observation de ces équidés sauvages. Vous pourrez ainsi découvrir l’intimité de chevaux vivant en semi liberté avec les explications d’une éthologiste scientifique. Les stages s’articuleront autour de cours en salle et d’observations du troupeau sur le Causse Méjean, en Lozère. Plusieurs cessions de 5 jours sont prévues en mai, juin, juillet et août. Que vous soyez amateur, professionnel, que vous ayez envie de profiter de cette occasion pour préparer la théorie des savoirs d’équitation éthologique ou simplement curieux d’en apprendre davantage sur les chevaux, ces stages s’adressent à tous. Plus d’informations sur le site de l’association www.takh.org ou au 06.62.09.34.26 (Hélène ROCHE: helene@kayoo.net).

Dates :
Mai : 12 au 16 et 19 au 23
Juin : 16 au 20
Juillet : 21 au 25 et 28 au 1er août
Août : 13 au 17 et 18 au 22

Research project on reasoning abilities in birds

A PhD position is available at the Konrad Lorenz - Forschungsstelle, Grünau im Almtal, Austria.

Candidates are encouraged to apply via email (including CV, letter of motivation and address of two academic referees) to klf.gruenau@telecom.at.

Research is funded through a FWF - grant for three years. This is an international project involving cooperation with several labs throughout Europe. Based on our experience in investigating the cognitive abilities of corvids, we are now planning to expand this research to other avian species, with the main focus on reasoning.

Candidates are expected to work with corvids and parrots using touch-screen technology.The ideal candidate has a MSc (or comparable degree) in zoology, behavioural biology or comparative psychology, is experienced in working with birds and possesses knowledge about computer programming and touch-screen technology. Enrolling in a PhD programme at the University of Vienna is mandatory. The candidate needs to be capable of working independently, should possess high communication skills and should be capable of living and working in the city of Vienna as well as in the rural area of Grünau (KLF). Work in Grünau requires the integration into an existing research group.

Note that work at the KLF may be demanding (harsh weather conditions, long working hours).

Although knowledge of the German language is not required, some basic skills are favourable for dealing with non-scientific staff.Payment follows the regular FWF salary. Health and social insurance are covered and study fees at the University of Vienna are refunded. The candidate has to cover room + board in Vienna, whereas a room may be provided in Grünau if necessary and some financial support for regular travel between Grünau and Vienna is available.

For more information about our research group, please visit our website www.univie.ac.at/zoology/nbs/gruenau/

If you need further information, please contact Prof. Kotrschal (klf.gruenau@telecom.at) or Christian Schloegl (chris_schloegl@web.de).