Master’s project on free-ranging dog cognition

 Master’s project on free-ranging dog cognition

Objectives:

-Collect & code behavioural data for a postdoc project on grammar processing

-Develop own Master’s thesis project on cognition/communication

Start date: January 2027

Fieldwork: Agadir, Morocco - up to 6 months

Supervision: Auriane Le Floch & Gwendolyn Wirobski (University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland)

Unpaid position - fieldwork expenses covered

Driver’s licence required

Application: send your CV and a short cover letter (max

1 page) stating your interest to aurianelefloch@etik.com

Deadline: October 14th, 2026

 

 

 

Sujets de stage – Nick Jones

 I work on fish behaviour and cognition. With a focus on thermal e:ects on said. Background from my recent project proposal: Temperature is perhaps one of the most crucial (and obviously relevant) environmental factors that impact behavioural adaptation. It acts as both a driver of environmental change and has significant impacts on cognition and behaviour. For example, it drives habitat changes while
impacting the cognitive capacity of animals to navigate them. Temperature is especially important for ectotherms, like fish, as it most directly impacts much of their behaviour, ecology and cognition.
I have two projects that both use small freshwater fish (gouramis) in laboratory studies on the impacts of temperature on cognition. Focusing on thermal e:ects 1) across individuals with di:erent consistent behavioural traits, and 2) across species with di:erent thermal ranges. I use a combination of maze, and visual discrimination assays to address research questions in these two areas.
For an example of the mazes used and the kind of work, please see my recent publication: 'Increasing temperature reduces decision accuracy by shifting speed–accuracy trade-o:s in slower individuals. Proc. R. Soc. B 1 March 2026; 293 (2067):
20253261. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2025.3261'
Students would gain laboratory skills and experience, basic video scoring experience, and analystical skills. If the project is successful the student may eventually be included as co-authors on any resulting paper. I currently have no funds, but I would be happy to support applications to Erasmus+ grant https://www.univ-rennes.fr/financer-son-stage-letranger
If interested, or if you would like more information, please contact Dr. Nick Jones:
narj@st-andrews.ac.uk

Sujets de stage – Tom Ratz

 Sujets de stage – Tom Ratz
Nous travaillons sur les interactions sociales (et particulièrement sur l’agression) et leurs
conséquences évolutives, principalement en laboratoire, avec Drosophila prolongata (une espèce
territoriale) comme modèle d’étude. Plus d’infos sur ma page web :https://tomratz.weebly.com/
Voici deux exemples de thématiques que nous pouvons proposer :
• Behavioural ecology: Testing the effects of age on male aggression and social plasticity
in Drosophila prolongata.
• Transcriptomics and animal behavioural: How do agonistic interactions modulate gene
expression in Drosophila prolongata?
Ces sujets de stage peuvent être bien sûr ajustés en fonction des affinités de l’étudient(e).
L’institut est réputé pour être particulièrement dynamique au niveau de la recherche fondamentale,
mais aussi accueillant et inclusif. Toutes les communications se font en anglais.
À l’université de Zurich, nous ne pouvons malheureusement pas proposer de rémunération pour les
projets de master. En revanche, je serais content de soutenir les candidatures à la bourse Erasmus
https://www.univ-rennes.fr/financer-son-stage-letranger. Nous pouvons également prendre en
charge un partie des frais liés au séjour (transport, logement, nourriture). La coût de la vie à Zurich
est particulièrement élevé !
Si vous êtes interessés ou pour avoir plus d’informaSons, contacter Dr. Tom Ratz: tom.ratz@uzh.ch

Proposition de stage 2026-2027

Proposition de stage 2026-2027

Evaluation et actualisation des pratiques de nourrissage des oiseaux
frugivores du zoo d’Amiens en intégrant les dernières avancées en
nutrition et en éthologie en vue d'augmenter le bien-être animal.
Descriptif du service et contexte
Le zoo d’Amiens Métropole, situé en plein centre-ville, compte 700 animaux de 100 espèces différentes allant de
la girafe au ouistiti sur une superficie de 7 hectares. Environ 250 000 visiteurs sont accueillis chaque année et
l’équipe du zoo dénombre 60 agents.
Le zoo d’Amiens doit remplir trois missions distinctes : la conservation d’espèces menacées (participer aux
plans de conservation in et ex-situ), la recherche (œuvrer pour l’avancée des connaissances scientifiques) et
l’éducation (informer, éduquer et sensibiliser) et est depuis toujours soucieux de la qualité de vie de ses
pensionnaires. Cette qualité de vie fait l’objet d’une évaluation continue et, dans le cadre de la stratégie « BEA »
(Bien-Être Animal) du zoo, il s’agit aujourd’hui de remettre en question les pratiques de distribution alimentaire.
Missions principales du stagiaire
Ce stage s’inscrit dans une approche multidisciplinaire croisant la nutrition, la biologie et l'éthologie des espèces
d’oiseaux frugivores présentes au zoo d’Amiens. L’objectif est de repenser les pratiques de nourrissage en
captivité afin de transformer les enrichissements alimentaires, souvent ponctuels, en modalités quotidiennes de
présentation des repas, tout en respectant strictement les normes sanitaires et les pratiques professionnelles en
vigueur.
Le projet vise à améliorer le bien-être animal (BEA) par l’optimisation du contenu et des modalités de
distribution des items alimentaires, sur la base de données scientifiques et d’une collaboration étroite avec les
équipes du zoo.
Les missions seront:
- bibliographie en nutrition, biologie digestive et en éthologie des espèces ciblées (milieu naturel et
captivité)
- analyse et évaluation des méthodes actuelles de nourrissage et impact sur le BEA
- proposition d'évolutions dans le contenu alimentaire et les modalités de distribution dans l'optique
d'augmenter le BEA
- co-construction d’un protocole de nourrissage en collaboration avec l’équipe animalière (soigneurs,
encadrants, vétérinaire) en fonction des contraintes du site
- validation scientifique des modifications proposées
- intégration des règles sanitaires fournies par le zoo et des pratiques professionnelles actuelles
- évaluation des nouvelles méthodes de distribution avec comparaison statistique aux pratiques
antérieures
- rédaction d’un travail scientifique final, avec publication (a minima dans la littérature professionnelle)
attendue en fin de stage

Profil recherché
- Etudiant(e) en éthologie, Ecole ingénieur Agronomie, Ecole vétérinaire.
- Dynamisme, organisation et force de proposition
- Méthode et rigueur scientifique
- Capacité de synthèse
- Autonomie, adaptation, flexibilité et capacité à la prise d’initiative du candidat indispensable
- Connaissances en biologie digestive, nutrition, éthologie
- Intérêt accru pour les espèces, leur environnement et leur mode de vie
- Connaissance des animaux sauvages appréciée, une première expérience en zoo bienvenue
Conditions du stage
- Le stage se déroulera au zoo d’Amiens (1, rue du faubourg de Hem) et comprend des périodes sur le
terrain.
- Dates à définir (possible tout au long de l’année)
- Période de stage possible de 4 à 6 mois (gratifié), de manière fractionnée ou non selon le candidat
- 35h / semaine du lundi au vendredi. Horaires variables selon l’activité du service animalier (plage
horaire possible de 8 à 19h) mais 7h/jour.
- Contact avec animaux sauvages captifs
- Travail en équipe
- Pas de logement sur place
Encadrement
Pour postuler, envoyer CV et lettre de motivation par email à :
pl.fiszman@amiens-metropole.com et l.garrigues@amiens-metropole.com

2 Positions – Master’s Student Internship in Porcine Research

 Duration: 5 to 9 months, between January 2027 and September 2027
Location: Animal Centered Environment group, Department of Biosystems and Technology – SLU (Alnarp, Sweden)
Supervisor: Associate Professor Maria Vilain Rørvang – https://www.slu.se/en/profilepages/r/maria-vilain-rorvang/
Application deadline: 4th October 2026 or until the right candidates have been found.
Projects Overview
1 - Project Tail: What does the tail communicate in pigs? We have seen a range of tail swishing, tail flicking and tail raising when pigs explore odours (sniff) in a social setting. There is a lot of information about tail postures in relation to tail biting and other damaging behaviour, but no one has looked at what tail movement and postures mean in a more positive setting such as exploring odours. This project explores tail postures and movement in finishing pigs when they explore natural odours under controlled settings. The project will be on already recorded video material and will consist of developing and ethogram, observing video, validating the ethogram, and analysing the behaviour in relation to the odours.
2 - Project Snout: What causes snout damage in pigs? During a long-term study on finishing pigs provided olfactory enrichment, snout damage was found along with other welfare related outcomes. Snout damage or irritation is currently not included in welfare assessment, and more knowledge is needed on why snout damage occurs. This project explores behaviour of finishing pigs with snout damage and without snout damage. The project seeks to elucidate if behaviour differs and if behaviour might be an indicator for the underlying issue causing gate snout damage. The project will be onalready recorded video material and will consist of developing and ethogram, observing video, and analysing the behaviour in relation to pig welfare state and odours.
Profile Sought
I am seeking enthusiastic students completing an MSc degree in behavioral ecology, ethology, or physiology. Proficiency in English is required, as the team is international. Basic knowledge of statistical analysis and R programming would be appreciated but is not mandatory.
Place and Conditions of the Internship
The internship will be hosted at the SLU Research Campus of Alnarp, Sweden. Unfortunately, direct financial assistance cannot be provided in Sweden. Non-Swedish applicants must secure travel grants, research grants, or join an exchange program such as Erasmus to cover living expenses in Sweden. We do not accept students unless we are confident they can maintain a decent standard of living throughout their stay.
Important: The data have already been collected, so there is no fieldwork associated with this project. This means you are guaranteed high-quality data from the outset. There may be opportunities during your stay in Sweden to assist other researchers on their projects or to organize some farm visits.
Team and Supervision Support
Under the guidance of Maria Vilain Rørvang, you will be welcomed into a vibrant research environment, with the opportunity to engage in research group activities, weekly meetings, and collaborative discussions.
Key Responsibilities
• Develop specialized ethograms.
• Code pig behavior using specialized software.
• statistical analyses.
Requirements
• Currently enrolled in a Master's program in a relevant field (animal sciences, veterinary degree, physiology, etc.).
• If you are in a gap year, you must be associated with a university/organism that can provide an internship contract.
• A funding source – travel/mobility or research grant, or an exchange program such as Erasmus.
• Previous knowledge of pig behaviour would be appreciated but not mandatory.
Benefits
• Training in behavioral coding software.
• Insight into farm animal behavior and welfare research.
• Mentorship from experienced researchers.
• Potential for authorship on academic publications.
Application Process
To apply, please email Maria Vilain Rørvang at mariav.rorvang@slu.se with the subject line “Pig behaviour internship
2027 – Project tail/snout”, including:
• Precise in the Email which of the two projects you are applying to.
• A cover letter outlining your interest in the project, relevant experience, and how your skills align with the requirements above.
• A current CV highlighting your academic background and any research experience.
Application deadline: 4th of October 2026

Position – Master’s Student Internship in Equine Research

 Duration: 5 to 9 months, between January 2027 and September 2027
Location: Animal Centered Environment group, Department of Biosystems and Technology – SLU (Alnarp, Sweden)
Supervisor: Dr. Océane Liehrmann – oceane-liehrmann.webador.fr/internships
Application deadline: 4th October 2026
Project Overview
This internship offers an exceptional opportunity to contribute to the advancement of equine welfare assessment through the application of state-of-the-art electroencephalogram (EEG) technology. Working under the guidance of experienced researchers, participants will investigate the intricate relationship between positive emotions and cerebral activity. Through analysis of videos and data collected during experiments conducted on horses in 2026, interns will acquire invaluable skills in behavioral coding, data extraction from EEG recordings, and statistical analysis methods.
Profile Sought
I am seeking enthusiastic students completing an MSc degree in behavioral ecology, ethology, or physiology. Previous experience with horses and knowledge of equine behavior will be preferred. Proficiency in English is required, as the team is international. Basic knowledge of statistical analysis and R programming would be appreciated but is not mandatory.
Place and Conditions of the Internship
The internship will be hosted at the SLU Research Campus of Alnarp, Sweden. Unfortunately, direct financial assistance cannot be provided in Sweden. Non-Swedish applicants must secure travel grants, research grants, or join an exchange program such as Erasmus to cover living expenses in Sweden. I will not accept students unless I am confident they can maintain a decent standard of living throughout their stay.
Important: The data have already been collected, so there is no fieldwork associated with this project. This means you are guaranteed high-quality data from the outset. There may be opportunities during your stay in Sweden to assist on a similar project with cows so you can get some field experiments using the same material as the one used to collect the data you are going to work with.
Team and Supervision Support
Under the guidance of Dr. Océane Liehrmann, you will be welcomed into a vibrant research environment, with the opportunity to engage in research group activities, weekly meetings, and collaborative discussions.

Key Responsibilities
• Train for the EquiFACS certification
• Code horse behavior using specialized software.
• Extract and analyze heart rate variations and EEG data.
• Assist with statistical analyses to identify correlations between behavioral responses, heart rate and cerebral activity.
Requirements
• Currently enrolled in a Master's program in a relevant field (animal sciences, veterinary degree, physiology, etc.).
• If you are in a gap year, you must be associated with a university that can provide an internship contract.
• A funding source – travel/mobility or research grant, or an exchange program such as Erasmus.
• Good knowledge of horse behavior is a plus.
Benefits
• Hands-on experience in research using EEG on animals.
• Training in behavioral coding software.
• Insight into farm animal behavior and welfare research.
• Mentorship from experienced researchers.
• Potential for authorship on academic publications.
Application Process
To apply, please email oceane.liehrmann@slu.se with the subject line “EEG internship 2027”, including:
• A cover letter outlining your interest in the project, relevant experience, and how your skills align with the requirements above.
• A current CV highlighting your academic background and any research experience.
Application deadline: 4th of October 2026