Two PhD positions in Bern, Switzerland

 At the Division of Animal Welfare (Prof. Hanno Würbel, PD Dr. Bernhard Voelkl), University of Bern, Switzerland, we are seeking two PhD students to study how inbreeding affects developmental robustness and stress resilience in laboratory mice, and how this impacts the replicability of research findings and animal welfare (funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation, SNSF). We are a dynamic team of scientists and technicians involved in national and international research projects aimed to promote rigorous and responsible animal research. For further information on our team and research, visit our website.

 

PhD student 1 will analyse large public databases to investigate the effects of homozygosity on phenotypic plasticity and on environmental and mutational robustness in laboratory mice and conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on the effect of inbreeding on stress resilience and the replicability of research with mice.

 

PhD student 2 will experimentally test whether homozygous (inbred) mice are developmentally less robust and less resilient to stressors by assessing morphological asymmetries and behavioural, physiological, and cellular measures of stress using a representative population of inbred, F1 hybrid, and outbred mice.

 

Candidates need a university degree in biology or biomedical sciences and advanced training in statistics. Expertise in data analysis and quantitative genetics (for PhD 1), or morphometrics and experience with laboratory mice (PhD 2), will be a plus.

We offer an attractive academic environment, opportunities for academic career development, and a competitive salary based on the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) scheme.

 

Please send your application letter together with a motivation statement, your CV, copies of relevant study certificates, and contact details of one or two reference persons (reference letters are not required at this stage) merged into one single pdf-file to: hanno.wuerbel@unibe.ch.

 

The deadline for application is November 30, 2023. The position will be available from January 2024 or at your earliest convenience. Please indicate your preferred, as well as your earliest possible start date in the application letter.

PhD position Plymouth, UK - Cryptic speciation

 We are currently recruiting for a 3.5 year fully funded ARIES PhD studentship based at the University of Plymouth, UK.

 

Project title: Investigating cryptic speciation in the beadlet sea anemone Actinia equina

 

Closing date: 10th January 2024

Studentship start date: 1st October 2024.

 

Project description:

Organisms inhabiting the intertidal zone experience stressors from both the aquatic and aerial environments they straddle, providing an “early warning system” for the impacts of climate change. However, our ability to monitor changes in these communities is hampered by our lack of knowledge surrounding the genetic diversity of their inhabitants, in particular due to the presence of cryptic species which are morphologically identical. The beadlet anemone Actinia equina is one of the most common animals found along the UK’s rocky shores, but despite becoming a model system for research across a range of fields, knowledge about its basic biology is severely lacking. Once assumed to be a single species, A. equina is now thought to represent a cryptic species complex, but to date only one “cryptic” species has been identified in UK populations. Furthermore, there is debate as to whether “cryptic” species within this complex can actually be identified by body colour due to the diverse phenotype of A. equina. This project aims to increase our understanding of intertidal biodiversity by systematically examining the genetic structure of A. equina populations along the South West coast and exploring their responses to environmental stresses relevant to climate change.

 

The project will involve; (1) systematic surveys of A. equina populations; (2) the use of survey software to compile spatial distribution maps; (3) verification of the existence of cryptic species using molecular and bioinformatics analyses; (4) lab experiments to characterise differences between morphs in behavioural and physiological responses to environmental stressors.

 

Training: The student will gain training in a range of different laboratory techniques (including molecular, physiological and behavioural analyses), alongside species distribution mapping using GIS. They will develop communication and networking skills, with the opportunity to attend research group meetings across the wider school, present data at international conferences, and engage in outreach activities.

 

Candidate requirements:

We are looking for an enthusiastic candidate with a degree in a relevant biological subject, an interest in the field and relevant experience in molecular ecology. A positive attitude towards problem solving, independence and initiative are essential, experience with GIS, R and bioinformatics is desirable. Applicants should have a first or upper second class honours degree or a relevant Masters qualification. We are looking for an enthusiastic candidate with a degree in a relevant biological subject, an interest in the field and relevant experience in molecular ecology. A positive attitude towards problem solving, independence and initiative are essential, experience with GIS, R and bioinformatics is desirable.

 

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum English requirements for the programme, IELTS Academic score of 6.5 (with no less than 5.5 in each component test area) or equivalent. Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a NERC studentship, which covers fees, stipend (£18,622 p.a. for 2023/24) and research funding. International applicants are eligible for fully-funded ARIES studentships including fees. Please note however that ARIES funding does not cover additional costs associated with relocation to, and living in, the UK.

NB: The studentship is supported for 3.5 years of the four-year registration period. The subsequent 6 months of registration is a self-funded ‘writing-up’ period.

Excellent applicants from quantitative disciplines with limited experience in environmental sciences may be considered for an additional 3-month stipend to take advanced-level courses.

ARIES is committed to equality, diversity, widening participation and inclusion in all areas of its operation. We encourage applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation and transgender status. Academic qualifications are considered alongside significant relevant non-academic experience.

 

If you wish to discuss this project further informally, please contact Dr Sarah Lane, sarah.lane@plymouth.ac.uk .

 

For more information on the project and how to apply please visit: https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/investigating-cryptic-speciation-in-the-beadlet-sea-anemone-actinia-equina/?p163316

Stage 2024 ; L3, M1 ou césure

 Stage 2024 ; L3, M1 ou césure : Les effets des polluants sur les relations hôtes-parasites Unité d’accueil : Sorbonne Université (UMR 7619 METIS), CEREP-ECOTRON Encadrement : Aurélie Goutte et Léa Lorrain-Soligon (UMR 7619 METIS) Contact : aurelie.goutte@ephe.psl.eu; llorrain.lea@gmail.com, en précisant vos périodes de disponibilité Dates et durée du stage : 2 mois entre janvier et juillet 2024 (plusieurs périodes de stage possibles) Les écosystèmes aquatiques sont particulièrement exposés aux pollutions d’origine urbaine et agricole. Les risques écotoxicologiques sont généralement étudiés à l’échelle des individus et des populations, mais les perturbations des interactions biotiques restent encore peu explorées. Certains parasites intestinaux, les acanthocéphales, présentent la remarquable capacité d'accumuler des polluants depuis leur hôte. Nos précédents résultats montrent une atténuation de certains effets écotoxicologiques chez un poisson d'eau douce, le chevesne (Squalus cephalus), parasité par des acanthocéphales. Ces parasites pourraient s’avérer utiles pour leur poisson-hôte si les bénéfices associés à la séquestration des polluants contrebalancent les coûts de l’infection parasitaire. Ce projet vise à tester cette hypothèse, en étudiant les effets des polluants sur les acanthocéphales, sur les chevesnes parasités ou non, et les relations hôtes-parasites. Une étude expérimentale sera menée en mésocosmes au sein de l'unité de service CEREEP-ECOTRON IleDeFrance, et notamment au sein de la Plateforme Nationale Expérimentale en Ecologie Aquatique (PLANAQUA). Des chevesnes adultes seront exposés à différentes concentrations de polluants, afin de suivre les réponses comportementales et physiologiques des chevesnes en fonction de leur statut parasitaire. Le stage consistera à l’aide au maintien des individus en élevage, à l’aide aux manipulations, ainsi qu’à la récolte et à l’analyse de données. L’étudiant.e pourra être hébergé.e au CEREEP. Profil recherché : Ce stage est idéal pour un.e étudiant.e en césure, licence 3 ou master 1 intéressé.e par les réponses des organismes aux perturbations environnementales d’origine anthropique et qui souhaite acquérir des connaissances en écotoxicologie, écologie aquatique, évolution des interactions biotiques. Connaissances et compétences requises : Attrait particulier pour les expériences en conditions contrôlées sur la faune sauvage et pour le travail en équipe. Rigueur et dynamisme. Compétences en analyses de données

Offre de stage M2 au LBMC

Titre du master Étude des forces qui s’appliquent dans le membre postérieur du chien pendant la marche à l'aide d'un système de capture du mouvement sans marqueur et d'un modèle musculosquelettique. Titre du master en anglais Study of the forces applied in the dog's hind limb during walking using a markerless motion capture system and a musculoskeletal model. Lieu de travail principal Laboratoire de Biomécanique et Mécanique des Chocs LBMC UMR_T9406 (Université Lyon 1, Université Gustave Eiffel) Encadrant Noémie Petitjean, MCF, LBMC UMR_T9406 noemie.petitjean@univ-lyon1.fr Benoit Gillet, MCF, VetAgro Sup, UPSP ICE 2021.A104 benoit.gillet@vetagro-sup.fr

Contexte

Depuis quelques années, le nombre d’études cinématiques de la locomotion du chien sain ou avec une pathologie ne cesse d’augmenter. Ces études permettent de différencier les patrons de marche de chiens de différentes races ou d’identifier l’impact d’une pathologie osseuse, articulaire ou musculaire sur la locomotion. Cependant, ces données cinématiques ne permettent pas d’évaluer les forces qui s’exercent au niveau des articulations. Ainsi, les études évaluant des techniques chirurgicales orthopédiques avec ou sans implants sont généralement expérimentales (ex vivo) ou cliniques. Cela constitue une limite importante au développement des techniques et outils vétérinaires puisque le nombre d’essais est limité. L’optimisation de techniques ou implants pourrait être réalisée via des modèles biomécaniques. Récemment, un modèle musculosquelettique a été développé dans un laboratoire allemand pour évaluer le chargement des articulations du chien lors de la locomotion (Stark et al., 2021). D’autre part, une méthode d’acquisition de mouvement sans marqueur du chien a été développée en collaboration entre l’école vétérinaire de Lyon (VetAgro Sup) et le LBMC pour alléger le protocole de suivi de la marche.

Objectif du stage

L’objectif de ce stage est d’évaluer les forces qui s’appliquent sur les articulations du membre postérieur du chien en utilisant un modèle musculosquelettique et à l’aide de données obtenues par un système d’analyse du mouvement sans marqueur couplé à une plateforme de force.

Travail attendu

Ce travail de recherche consiste à :

• réaliser une revue de la littérature sur l’analyse des forces exercées aux niveaux des articulations du membre postérieur du chien et sur les techniques utilisées pour réaliser ces mesures et ces simulations numériques ;

• suivre une collecte de données avec le système de caméras sans marqueur, des électrodes EMG (gastrocnémien, vaste latéral, biceps fémoral) et une plateforme de force ;

• construire un modèle musculosquelettique du membre postérieur du chien à partir des données récoltées et de la géométrie articulaire et musculaire publiée dans la littérature ;

• estimer les forces et moments inter-segmentaires (par dynamique inverse), les bras de levier musculaires puis les forces musculo-tendineuses et les forces de contact articulaire (par optimisation statique) en intégrant directement la cinématique mesurée ;

• vérifier la cohérence des résultats de forces musculo-tendineuses avec les mesures électromyographiques ;

• comparer ces résultats avec la littérature.

Mots-clefs : cinématique, modélisation musculosquelettique, contraintes mécaniques, articulations, chien.

Plateforme de forces

Cinématique markerless

Modèle musculosquelettique

PhD opportunities: animal behaviour under climate change

 We are advertising three competitively-funded PhD projects in my group at the moment; please forward to anyone you think might be suitable and interested:

BBSRC SWBio: Automated prediction of health and welfare in captive fish using behaviour from video

https://www.swbio.ac.uk/bioscience-for-sustainable-agriculture-and-food/

Application deadline: Midnight, Monday 4^th December 2023

Bristol PGR scholarships for UK applicants of Black heritage: Impacts of artificial light at night on predator-prey interactions in tropical rivers

https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/funded-phd-impacts-of-artificial-light-at-night-on-predator-prey-interactions-in-tropical-rivers/?p162251

Application deadline: 8^th January 2024

NERC GW4+ DTP: Individual variation, Allee effects and the invasive potential of guppies

https://www.nercgw4plus.ac.uk/projects-2024-25/individual-variation-allee-effects-and-the-invasive-potential-of-guppies

Application deadline: 9^th January 2024

Of course, I would be happy to be contacted by potential candidates before they prepare their application. 

I'm also a cosupervisor on these projects looking for students:

BBSRC SWBio: Exploiting animal personality to reduce chronic stress in captive fish populations

https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/bbsrc-swbio-dtp-phd-studentship-2024-entry-exploiting-animal-personality-to-reduce-chronic-stress-in-captive-fish-populations/?p162604

Application deadline: Midnight, Monday 4^th December 2023

NERC GW4+ DTP: Partner choice and behavioural variation in social networks

https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/nerc-gw4-dtp-phd-studentship-for-2024-entry-project-partner-choice-and-behavioural-variation-in-social-networks/?p162838

Application deadline: 9^th January 2024

PhD opportunities

 I’m advertising two PhD projects for a September/October 2024 start date. Please forward these to anyone you know that might be interested.

 

The role of behaviour in facilitating or hindering adaptation to climate change

The student will be based at the Centre for Biological Diversity at the University of St Andrews and supervised by Dr Natalie Pilakouta. There is a lot of flexibility in the project aims, so this is a great opportunity for a motivated student who wants to define their own research questions and choose a specific direction within this general topic.

This PhD studentship is internally funded by the University of St Andrews (i.e. not funded through a DTP). It is open to both UK and international students. You can find more details and instructions for how to apply here: https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/the-role-of-behaviour-in-facilitating-or-hindering-adaptation-to-climate-change/?p162999

 

Uncovering the effects of climate change on forest ecosystems through the lens of animal behaviour

This a CASE PhD studentship in collaboration with Forest Research. The student will be based at the Centre for Biological Diversity at the University of St Andrews and will spend a few months doing an internship at Forest Research in Edinburgh, Scotland during their PhD. The supervisory team includes Dr Natalie Pilakouta (University of St Andrews), Dr Arthur Broadbent (University of Stirling), Dr Sheena Cotter (University of Lincoln), and Dr Ainoa Pravia (Forest Research).

This PhD studentship is funded by the IAPETUS DTP. It is open to both UK and international students. You can find more details and instructions for how to apply here: https://iapetus2.ac.uk/studentships/uncovering-the-effects-of-climate-change-on-forest-ecosystems-through-the-lens-of-animal-behaviour/