Postdocs, visual physiology, behaving monkeys

Two postdoctoral positions are available in the laboratory of Professor Max Snodderly at the University of Texas, Austin, to study response properties of neurons in the early visual pathway (LGN, V1, V2).
Projects include multielectrode recording of simultaneous responses in related areas, effects of eye movements, and responses to natural images. Facilities are also available for high resolution MRI.


The neuroscience community at UT Austin is growing and provides many opportunities for interaction. See Institute for Neuroscience (http://www.utexas.edu/neuroscience/index.html), and the Center for Perceptual Systems (http://www.cps.utexas.edu), which include outstanding
faculty from multiple departments. The diversity of activities at UT Austin is both fascinating and stimulating. As a town, Austin is a fun place to live, and I have yet to meet anybody that doesn’t like it.


To apply or inquire, please send a curriculum vitae, statement of research interests, and other pertinent information by email. I will be at the Cosyne meeting and workshops with my cell phone (512-922-8777) if you would like to speak with me about the positions.
Email max.snodderly@mail.utexas.edu.

-----
Max Snodderly, Ph.D.
Professor, Human Ecology/ Nutritional Sciences
Inst for Neuroscience and Ctr for Perceptual Systems
1 University Station/ A2700
The University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712
Off: (512) 232-3307; Cell: (512) 922-8777 Fax:471-5844
http://www.he.utexas.edu/ntr/snodderly.php

Research Assistant, Kelly Scientific Resources/NIH

Hiring Organization: Kelly Scientific Resources/NIH
Position Description: ORGANIZATION
National Institute of Mental Health
Division of Intramural Research Programs
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20892

TASKS/SERVICES. The contractor shall:

• Participate in the development of new studies and experiments examining visual and auditory memory processing in nonhuman primates.
• Handle and train large rhesus monkeys that are scanned.
• Provide safe transport of nonhuman primates to Building 10 where both PET and MRI scans are performed.
• Conduct behavioral testing of nonhuman primates, requiring safe handling and use of the pole and collar technique.
• Administer and monitor anesthesia for nonhuman primates MRI scanning and act as primary surgical assistant with nonhuman primates; monitor post-operative health status of nonhuman primates to ensure recovery goes with minimal problems.
• Conduct MRI structural scans.
• Perform histological processing to include the cutting and staining of the monkey brain.
• Perform 3D reconstructions of experimental lesions (chemical and removal) in the monkey brain.
• Collect, maintain and organize behavioral and MRI imaging data and database; analyze behavioral data.
• Provide orientation and training for new staff for proper handling, testing and care of nonhuman primates; train and orient staff in use of MRI.
• Perform literature searches and reviews for new studies and manuscripts.
• Prepare preliminary writings for manuscripts; present scientific data at scientific meet-ings.
• Develop and perform modifications to lab equipment for new tasks; coordinate inventory throughout the lab; order and replenish supplies.

DELIVERABLES. Upon request, the contractor shall provide documentation evidence of any and/or all work product, including, but not limited to, the following tasks:

• Word products and documents related to new studies and experiments examining visual and auditory memory processing in nonhuman primates, including behavioral testing, MRI structural scans, histological processing, and 3D reconstructions of experimental lesions.
• Word products and documents related to handling of nonhuman primates, including safe transport, anesthesia and post-operative care.
• Computer-related work, including the collection, maintenance, and organization of behavioral and MRI imaging data and database; analysis of behavioral data.
• Word products and documents related to literature searches, reviews for new studies and manuscripts, preparation of preliminary writings for manuscripts; present scientific data at scientific meetings.

Qualifications/Experience:
CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSE, PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OR OTHER EXPERTISE REQUIRED. The contractor must have:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred.
• Knowledge of MRI imaging techniques.
• Knowledge of both MAC and Windows Operating Systems, PowerPoint, Excel, MS Word, and Adobe Photoshop.
• Knowledge of anesthesia induction and maintenance techniques in nonhuman primates.
• Knowledge of behavioral testing techniques in nonhuman primates.
• Knowledge of sterile techniques.
• Basic knowledge of and ability to work with monkeys.

Application Deadline: ASAP

Contact Information:
Damien Terry
6101 Executive Blvd, Suit 392
Rockville, MD 20852
USA
Telephone Number:
301.451.9580
Fax Number:
301.480.0410
Website:
http://http://www.kellyservices.com/web/global/services/en/pages
E-mail Address:
tdamien@mail.nih.gov

Research Intern, behavioral and cognitive studies of zoo

Hiring Organization: Zoo Atlanta

Position Description:
A one-year internship to assist with on-going behavioral and cognitive studies of zoo collection. Job responsibilities will focus on data collection, entry, and summary. Species of interest are gorillas and orangutans, although studies may include other mammals in the collection. Intern will have opportunity to conduct independent research projects if interested. Intern will also participate in husbandry of apes.

Requirements:
35-40 hours per week, can be distributed across weekdays and weekends

Qualifications/Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in biology, psychology, anthropology or related field. Previous research experience strongly recommended, as is knowledge of Excel, electronic data collection techniques, data entry and summary, and basic descriptive statistics.

Salary/funding:
Internship includes stipend of $500/month.

Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging): None.

Term of Appointment: May 2008-May 2009

Comments:
Please send cover letter/email describing interest and resume or CV to tstoinski@ zooatlanta.org
Contact Information:
Tara Stoinski
800 Cherokee Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30315
USA
Telephone Number:
404 624 5826
Fax Number:
404 624 5841
Website:
http://www.zooatlanta.org
E-mail Address:
tstoinski@zooatlanta.org

Ressources bibliographiques

La Fédération Française des Sociétés de Sciences Naturelles a décidé de créer une Bibliothèque virtuelle numérique où elle met gracieusement, à disposition de la communauté naturaliste, via Internet, tous les ouvrages de la collection Faune de France épuisés et qu'elle ne souhaite pas rééditer.
Les Faunes proposées sont au format standard pdf. La recherche par mots clés est possible dans l'ensemble des ouvrages.
Afin de télécharger légalement les ouvrages, ceux-ci sont placés sous une licence peu contraignante (Creative Commons), dont les modalités d'utilisation sont expliquées en avant propos de chaque Faune numérisée.

49 ouvrages sont disponibles à ce jour au format pdf : du n°1 de 1921 (Echinodermes -240 p.) au n°74 de 1989 (Coléoptères Curculionidae 4ème partie - 534 p.)
http://www.faunedefrance.org:80/BibliothequeVirtuelleNumerique

Postdoc - Silk biomechanics and spider behavior at U Akron

Postdoctoral Research Associate - Coevolution of Web Spinning Behaviors and Spider Silk Biomechanics

A postdoctoral position is available to work on the evolution of silk biomechanics and spider webs in collaboration with Dr. Todd Blackledge at the University of Akron. Spider silk is an exceptional biomaterial with high performance properties that make it a model for biomimetic applications in medicine and industry. This interdisciplinary NSF funded project seeks to understand how the mechanical function of spider silk evolves during behavioral transitions in web architecture. Primary responsibilities will include characterizing the material properties of silks spun by diverse species of spiders and investigating correlations with evolutionary shifts in the shapes of orb webs.

In addition, significant opportunities exist to develop independent projects that incorporate diverse behavioral, ecological, physiological, materials science or engineering approaches to understanding spider silk and webs. More information is available at
http://www3.uakron.edu/biology/blackledge/index.htm.

This project is part of the University of Akron's growing emphasis on integrated bioscience research. It takes advantage of Akron's world renowned expertise in materials science and provides postdocs with opportunities for training in diverse fields. The Akron area provides an exceptional lifestyle - a low cost of living with more than a dozen local parks and the scenic Cuyahoga Valley National Park on its doorstep. Other highlights include access to a variety of local sports and cultural events, including the nearby metropolitan city of Cleveland.

Salary will start at $34,000 annually, depending upon experience, plus full benefits, and will include funding for travel expenses for conferences and research. The position is available for up to two years. The starting date is flexible, but summer 2008 is preferred. Candidates should have received their Ph.D. by the start of the appointment. To apply, candidates should submit a cover letter detailing research goals, curriculum vitae, up to 3 representative publications, and the contact information for 3 references. Applications should be submitted to Todd Blackledge, Department of Biology, University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325-3908, USA, via mail or sent via email (Blackledge@uakron.edu). Review of applications will begin late March and continue until filled.

---------------------------------------
Todd A. Blackledge
Assistant Professor
Department of Biology
University of Akron
Akron, OH 44325-3908

Voice: (330) 972-7264
Fax: (330) 972-8445
Email: blackledge@uakron.edu
http://www3.uakron.edu/biology/blackledge/index.htm

Research Fellowship

Telemark University College (TUC) is a fully-accredited state college in Norway, with approximately 5,000 full-time students and 500 faculty and staff. TUC has 4 campuses (in Bø, Notodden, Porsgrunn and Rauland) and offers a wide variety of study programmes and degrees. All 4 faculties are actively involved in teaching and research.

Research Fellowship (PhD student position) in Behavioural Ecology

A position as Research Fellow is available for a PhD student at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences in Bø from August 1, 2008.

The fellowship period is either 4 years (25 % teaching responsibility included) or 3 years (no teaching duties). The Faculty of Arts and Sciences currently has approximately 90 faculty staff/research positions and 15 administrative positions. The position is at the Department of Environmental and Health Studies, which employs 10,6 teaching- and research positions, 3,3 technical positions and 4 Research Fellowships and other temporary placements. The Department offers a Master degree programme in Environmental and Health Studies.

The Research Fellow will work on the project “Chemical Ecology and Genetics in Mammals”. This is an exciting interdisciplinary project that combines chemistry, genetics and ecology to allow new insight into sociality and communication in mammals. The project will focus on the monogamous Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber), the polygamous yellow-bellied marmot (Marmota flaviventris) and the non-social brown bear (Ursus arctos) as model species. The majority of the field work will be carried out on beavers in Telemark, but there will also be field work on bears in south-central Sweden and on yellow-bellied marmot in the Colorado Rockies in the USA. The Research Fellow will collect scent samples from live-trapped animals and conduct chemical analysis in the laboratory on a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). Molecular genetic analyses, such as PCR (the Polymerase Chain Reaction) and DNA fingerprinting will also be conducted. The behaviour of, and interactions between, individual animals will be studied with GPS radio technology, data-loggers and proximity loggers.

This position is a cooperation between TUC, where the student will work daily, and the Norwegian University of Life Science (UMB) in Ås, Norway, where the Research Fellow is obliged to follow required PhD courses, and where the student will be awarded the PhD degree after the project has been successfully completed.

Applicants must have achieved a Master’s degree, Cand. Scient, or similar educational background. Due to extensive field periods in Norway, Sweden and the USA, an ability to conduct field work within the frames of the project and a driver’s license are required. Criteria such as experience with and understanding of behavioural ecology and statistical data, individual qualities and the ability to work both independently and as part of an international team of students and scientists will be emphasized in the selection of the best candidate.

The position as Research Fellow/PhD student is placed at salary level 43 (code 1017) on the government salary scale. Two percent of the salary is deducted due to required membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

Employees must comply with current laws, regulations and agreements for the position.

An expert committee from TUC will evaluate the applications. The most suitable applicants will be interviewed.

Based on the rules on equal opportunities laid down in the Personnel Regulations for Academic Positions, state employment shall reflect the multiplicity of the general population. Women and persons with minority background are encouraged to apply for the position.

Further information about the position can be obtained from Tone Jøran Oredalen, Head of the Department of Environmental and Health Studies (tel: + 47 35 95 27 76, e-mail: tone.j.oredalen@hit.no) or project manager Ass. Prof. Frank Rosell (tel:+47 35 95 27 62, e-mail: frank.rosell@hit.no).

A written application should be submitted, each with a complete overview of education and professional activities (CV), certified copies of diplomas (Bachelor and Master degrees), documentation of relevant work experience and, if available, a list of publications and copies of these. The application is to be marked “27/08” and sent to Telemark University College, Hallvard Eikas Plass, 3800 Bø, Norway.

Application deadline: 01.04.08.

postdoc in a project involving the development of primate visual cortex

We are seeking expressions of interest in a postdoctoral position funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council, in a project involving the development of primate visual cortex. The position is available for 3 years, subject to yearly performance appraisal. Monash University is located in Melbourne, consistently voted as one of the World's most livable cities, and the site of a vibrant community of neuroscientists.

The position is suitable for those about to complete, or who have just completed, a PhD. However, more experienced candidates will also be considered, and salary conditions negotiated accordingly. The ideal candidate will have some experience in sensory neurophysiology and/or neuroanatomical tract-tracing methods. Knowledge of quantitative methods, and some basic experience using MatLab, would also be an advantage. However, we will also consider candidates with other backgrounds, and offer on-site training, with the key criterion being a good record of early career achievement.

Ideally the candidate should be in a position to start employment in the first semester of 2008. However, there is some flexibility to take into account individual circumstances.

Deadline for applications is 30 March 2008. For additional queries,
email: Marcello.Rosa@ med.monash.edu.au.
Prof. Marcello Rosa
Department of Physiology
Monash University
Clayton, VIC 3800
Australia
Fax: +61 3 9905 2547
Ph: +61 3 9905 2522 (office)
Ph: +61 3 9905 2538 (Vision Research Laboratory)

Conference Mammifères Marins

1- La European Cetacean Society tiendra son congrès annuel à Egmond aan Zee en Hollande du 10 au 12 Mars. http://web.inter.nl.net/users/J.W.Broekema/ecs/

MARINE MAMMALS IN TIME: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

• PAST - palaeontology, archaeology, evolution, 16th-17th century whaling or research (strandings),
• PRESENT - forgotten science: lab and museum basic research, taxonomy, anatomy, 18-20th century whaling and tourism,
• FUTURE - climate change, effects on populations and food, monitor species.

2- La European Association for Aquatic Mammals tiendra son congrès annuel à Kolmardeen en Suède du 7 au 10 Mars. http://www.kolmarden.com/templates/normal.aspx?page_id=1736

* Invited speaker: Dr. Stan Kuscaj, University of Southern Mississippi who will talk about the Dolphin personality.

* Invited speaker: Dr. Lorenzo von Fersen, Tiergarten Nuernberg who will talk about Yaqu Pacha projects in South America

Job opening at Univ. of Manitoba

The Department of Psychology at the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, is offering a job in its Brain and Cognitive Science Research Group. The job is described below. The review of applications has not begun but will shortly. Applications will be accepted until the job is filled. Interested individuals should immediately email the Dean, stating your interest in the position, and send in your application as soon as possible. All that is required is a curriculum vitae and a one page description of a five-year research program.

This opening is an excellent opportunity for an animal behaviourist, especially one interested in waterfowl behaviour. The Brain and Cognitive Science Research Group consists of several very advanced laboratories. One of them is the Avian Behaviour Laboratory. This laboratory is one of the most complete laboratories for studying waterfowl behaviour in North America. It has indoor and outdoor facilities. The indoor component consists of two aviaries, one of which houses wild mallards. Complete facilities to incubate, hatch, brood, and experimentally test waterfowl are available. The outdoor component consists of a field station surrounded by a predator proof fence housing resident flocks of giant Canada geese and mallard ducks. A pond, nesting sites, breeding pens, feeders, and a one- bedroom residence for staff or students are located at the field station.
For information concerning the Avian Behaviour Laboratory contact Dr. Jim Shapiro, Director, Avian Behaviour Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R3T 2N2. Email: Shapiro@cc.umanitoba.ca Phone: (204) 474-7422. Fax: 204-257-2081.
University of Manitoba
NSERC Tier II Canada Research Chair in Brain & Cognitive Science
Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts
Assistant or Associate Professor – Position Number 06692/06693

The University of Manitoba is seeking applications or nominations for a Canada Research Chair established by the Government of Canada to enable Canadian universities to foster world-class research excellence. The University’s Strategic Research Plan includes a Tier II Chair in the Faculty of Arts in the area of Brain & Cognitive Science.

Candidates must be established scholars with demonstrated potential of becoming world leaders in their research area. The appointment will be a full-time tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor. Rank and salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. For the duration of the CRC, the successful candidate will be granted reduced teaching responsibilities.

A Ph.D. with a successful record of teaching and research relevant to the investigation of cognition and/or neuroscience in either humans or nonhuman animals is required. The successful candidate will develop a research program with a primary focus on relationships between cognitive processes and underlying neurological mechanisms. He or she should have a strong commitment to interdisciplinary research and the ability to attract excellent graduate students.

The Brain & Cognitive Science research group in the Department of Psychology possesses strengths in cognitive and neurological basis of auditory and visual perception and attention, learning and memory, development and aging, and visually-guided motor control. The successful candidate would be able to develop affiliations with researchers in the Department of Psychology with expertise in the areas of Applied Behavioural Analysis, Clinical, Developmental, Social/ Personality, and Quantitative Psychology. Departmental resources include modern animal research and surgery facilities, computer laboratories (as well as supercomputing available through WestGrid [www.westgrid.ca ]), and an optical imaging system. For conducting behavioural research with human participants, the Department also provides access to eye- movement monitoring equipment, an Optotrak infrared motion tracking system, abundant laboratory space for conducting behavioural research with human participants, and a large, web-based undergraduate participant pool. Our department also has a close relationship with the National Research Council’s Institute for Biodiagnostics, which oversees several neuroimaging facilities across Winnipeg.

The University of Manitoba encourages applications from qualified women and men, including members of visible minorities, Aboriginal peoples, and persons with disabilities. Women are particularly encouraged to apply or to be nominated. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

Applicants should send a curriculum vitae with a brief (1 page) five- year program plan, along with the names, addresses, telephone and fax numbers of three references to:

Dr. Richard Sigurdson, Dean,
Faculty of Arts
310 Fletcher Argue Building
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, MB R3T5V5
Phone (204) 474-9271, FAX (204) 474-7590
E-mail: Richard_Sigurdson@umanitoba.ca

Nominations or applications, including letters of reference, will be handled in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (Manitoba). Review of applications will begin on January 7, 2008 and will continue until the position is filled. All Chairs are subject to review and final approval by the CRC Secretariat; thus, the starting date for this position will begin after CRC approval.

For details regarding:The CRC program "http://www.chairs.gc.ca/"
The University of Manitoba Strategic Research Plan
"http://www.umanitoba.ca/admin/vp_research/media/strategicplan_current.pdf"
The Department of Psychology "http://www.umanitoba.ca/psychology/"
The City of Winnipeg "http://www.winnipeg.ca/interhom/"
The Province of Manitoba "http://www.gov.mb.ca/"

Major International Conference on Animals & Society

The 2009 International Academic and Community Conference on Animals and Society:

Minding Animals

I am writing to inform you of a momentous event in the study of human nonhuman animal interrelationships. The University of Newcastle and the Society and Animals (Australia) Study Group have just announced their hosting of the 2009 International Academic and Community Conference on Animals and Society. Subtitled Minding Animals, the Conference is bound to be a benchmark event in the study and interpretation of human nonhuman animal interrelationships. It will be held between 13 and 19 July, 2009, at Newcastle in Australia.

The 2009 Minding Animals Conference will bring together a broad range of academic disciplines and representatives from universities, non-government organisations and the community, industry and government from across the planet. Conference delegates will examine the interrelationships between human and nonhuman animals from a cultural, historical, geographical, environmental, moral, legal and political perspective.

Further, the conference will bring together an unheralded number of leading scientists, philosophers and social theorists, academics and community leaders, many committed to environmentalism or animal protection or both, but never having all met at the one event. Our confirmed dinner and plenary speakers alone (alphabetical order, and the number is not yet exhausted) will provide you with an idea of breadth of knowledge and importance of this conference:
Professor Carol Adams
Professor Emeritus Marc Bekoff
Professor J Baird Callicott
Nobel Laureate Professor JM Coetzee
Professor Dale Jamieson
Professor Val Plumwood
Professor Emeritus Tom Regan
Distinguished Professor Bernard Rollin
Dr Andrew Rowan
Professor James Serpell
Professor Peter Singer
Professor Emeritus Michael Soulé
Professor Paul Waldau
Professor Jennifer Wolch

The conference will have six major themes and objectives:
To reassess the relationship between the animal and environmental movements in light of climate change and other jointly-held threats and concerns
To examine how humans identify and represent nonhuman animals in art, literature, music, science, and in the media and on film
How, throughout history, the objectification of nonhuman animals and nature in science and society, religion and philosophy, has led to the abuse of nonhuman animals and how this has since been interpreted and evaluated
To examine how the lives of humans and companion and domesticated nonhuman animals are intertwined, and how science, human and veterinary medicine utilise these important connections
How the study of animals and society can better inform both the scientific study of animals and community activism and advocacy
And how science and community activism and advocacy can inform the study of nonhuman animals and society


An extensive list of subjects is being developed that will be allotted concurrent sessions. These subjects will greatly expand on our conference themes. A tentative list is provided on the conference website. Some of the academic disciplines covered by the conference include:

Conservation biology and biodiversity conservation
Environmental history and history of animals
Animals in religion
Animal liberation, rights and welfare
Environmentalism and political science
Veterinary science
Animal geography
Animals and sociology
Animals and the law
Anthrozoology, zooanthropology and zooarchaeology
Animals and gender studies
Animals in literature, music, and the arts
Media and communications
Ecotourism
Zoo science
Animals and assisted therapies
Animal behaviour, psychology and cognitive ethology

I invite you to log on to our website www.mindinganimals.com where you will be able to complete our 'Expression of Interest in Attending' form.

In the meantime, if you prefer and are interested in receiving further information, please feel free to email me directly at: rod.bennison@newcastle.edu.au or, call me anytime (Australian Eastern Summer Time) on +61-(0)41-491-4040 to discuss the conference.

Thank you and I look forward to receiving your emails and meeting you all in 2009,
Rod

Dr Rod Bennison
Co-convenor
2009 International Academic and Community Conference on Animals and
Society School of Environmental and Life Sciences

University of Newcastle,
University Drive,
Callaghan NSW 2308 AUSTRALIA
Email: rod.bennison@newcastle.edu.au
Phone: +61-41-491-4040

Web: www.mindinganimals.com

CDD technicien éthologie

Recherchons CDD niveau technicien du 2 juin 2008 au 2 décembre 2008 pour participer au projet de l’'ANR gen'animal "déterminisme génétique des problèmes de fertilité des vaches laitières hautes productrices" (coordinatrice J Dupont) sur le site de l’'INRA à Nouzilly

Le principal travail consistera à suivre le comportement des VLHP à la fois directement et sur les enregistrements video qui seront effectués et de faire l’'analyse de ces données. La personne recrutée sera aussi impliquée dans la prise et l’'aide au traitement des autres mesures faites chez ces animaux: cyclicité (dosage de progestérone et échographie), métabolisme (prélèvements et dosages) production laitère. Le candidat devra avoir fait preuve dans le passé à la fois de sa capacité à s’intégrer dans une équipe de travail et de mener à bien un travail de manière autonome.

Une expérience de l’'observation des vaches laitières ou d’'autres animaux d’'élevage constituera un avantage mais n'’est pas indispensable.
Pour tous renseignements s’adresser à C. Fabre-Nys 02 47 42 79 75

Field Assistant, White-throated Capuchin Monkeys, Costa Rica

Hiring Organization: Geoff Gallice, University of Georgia Costa Rica

Position Description:
We are looking for several field assistants to help with a study examining habitat usage, foraging behavior, and social behavior of white-faced capuchin monkeys in San Luis, Costa Rica. San Luis is located in the Tilaran mountain range in northwestern Costa Rica, very close to Monteverde.

Field assistant tasks may include, but are not limited to:
-Recording of social interactions
-Monitoring and recording of habitat usage and movement
-Recording of foraging behavior
-Tree and plant specimen collection
-GPS
-Data entry

A typical day in the field will consist of 6 hours of a combination of behavioral point-time samples and habitat-use data collection. Assistants will be trained in all the methodologies needed for the
study, including how to conduct point-time samples and how to map using GPS. Part of the project will also involve collecting plant specimens and identifying them. Assistants will be given training in local plant identification, processing, and storing. This position is well-suited to those who wish to gain field experience in the areas of primatology, ecology, and wildlife biology. The assistant will gain practical experience that will help with admission to graduate schools.

Researchers and field assistants will be based at either the University of Georgia’s Research Station in San Luis, or within the San Luis community, depending on availability of accommodations. Homestays with local Costa Rican families can also be arranged.

Qualifications/Experience:
Prior experience conducting research in the fields of primatology, ecology, or wildlife sciences preferred, but not necessary. Knowledge of Spanish also a plus, but also not needed. Above all, field assistants must be motivated and able to work for long hours, often alone, and in a demanding environment. The forest in which the monkeys live can be somewhat cold in the early mornings and evenings, hot during the day, and often very wet.

Applicants must also:
-Be very mature and able to be in a secluded environment. There are internet, phone, and laundry services at the UGA station, but the station itself is somewhat isolated.
-Be very patient and detail-oriented.
-Be able to put up with insects and other critters. While San Luis is not too riddled with insects, they can sometimes be annoying.
-Be comfortable working and living in a different country, often without the luxuries of the United States.

Salary/funding:
No funding is currently available. Accommodations at the research station will be about US$17 per day, including lodging and all meals. However, prices for accommodations within the San Luis community will be lower, depending upon availability, and all meals will also be included. Internet is available at the UGA station. All transportation within Costa Rica relating to the project will be covered, including transportation to and from the field site.

Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
All project-related transportation will be provided. Lodging and meal costs are listed above.

Term of Appointment:
The project will run from approximately mid-May to mid-September. Applicants must be available for at least two months within this time frame, but priority will be given to those who are able to stay the entire duration.

Application Deadline:
Until all positions are filled.

Comments:
Email is the preferred method of communication.

Contact Information:
Geoff Gallice
Apartado 108-5655
Santa Elena de Monteverde, Puntarenas
Costa Rica
Telephone Number: (506) 645 8049
Website: http://www.uga.edu/costarica/
E-mail Address: geoff.gallice@gmail.com

Field assistants/volunteers on Japanese Macaques

Hiring Organization: CNRS-University of Strasbourg, France

Position Description:
We’re looking for several field assistants / volunteers to help a PhD student to collect data on group movements in Japanese macaques. The study will be conducted on several sites in Japan, the main one being Koshima islet on the south of Kyushu.

Volunteer’s Tasks will include:
* Following a troop of Japanese macaques from dawn to dusk
* Behavioral Data Collection Through rugged laptops
* GPS logging
* Video and Audio recording

This position is ideal for students who want to gain field experience as well as to improve their behavioral and ecological skills.

Qualifications/Experience:
A previous experience with primate fieldwork is preferred but not necessary. Knowledge of Japanese language is not necessary but would be a good plus. The volunteers will be trained on all the methodologies needed for the study.

The applicants should be:
*Not afraid of long working days
*Very patient
*Paying attention to details
*Feeling comfortable with being outdoor all days long
*Able to withstand being away from friends, family
*In good physical and mental condition
*Speaking French or English (this is Compulsory). Speaking Japanese would be a good plus.

Salary/funding: None

Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
A stipend or Room/board might be available depending on the duration of stay and additional funding possibilities. The applicant must provide his/her own travel and VISA fees as well as medical insurance and cover for his/her own medical costs.

Term of Appointment:
The study will take place between May 2008 and March 2009.

Application Deadline:
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until filled.

Comments:
Priority will be given to applicants willing to participate to the whole study.

Contact Information:
Odile PETIT
23 rue Becquerel
Strasbourg 67000
France
Telephone Number: + 33(0)3 88 10 74 57
Fax Number: +33 (0)3 88 10 74 56
Website: http://iphc.cnrs.fr/-O-Petit-.html
E-mail Address: odile.petit@c-strasbourg.fr

Language and Visual Cognition

The studentship is linked to a project entitled “From language-mediated eye movements to goal-directed action: Mapping language onto perception and action”. The studentship will support research on the relationship between visual scene interpretation and language comprehension, and will seek to establish the nature of the cognitive representations that are constructed during the earliest moments of visual scene interpretation.

Funding Notes
Depending on prior qualifications, the successful student will either take a 1-year MSc in Readin and Language, or a 1-year MRes, followed by a 3-year PhD (1+3 route), or will move straight into the PhD programme (+3 route). This studentship is available from October 2008 and covers student fees, plus a postgraduate stipend of roughly £12,600 per annum.

http://www.findaphd.com/search/showproject.asp?projectid=16675

Context effects in food preference conditioning

Context effects in food preference conditioning: Cognitive, affective and physiological factors

The Cognition and Cognitive Neurosciences Research Group invites applications for a distinguished four-year BBSRC Industrial CASE PhD studentship commencing October 2008.

This project will examine the role of context in human food preferences and result in a better understanding of the processes through which food preferences are acquired.

Food choices are complex behaviours, not well understood, and have serious repercussions in terms of public health. This project will use the Evaluative Conditioning paradigm (EC) to examine the effect of context on food preference. EC refers to a change in the affective response to a conditioned stimulus based in its pairing with an unconditioned stimulus. It is a general mechanism that determines how humans establish likes and dislikes, and may be qualitatively distinct from other forms of non-affective learning.

Animal studies show the existence of context effects in food preference. This may be an important factor in human food choices (i.e. cereals are not eaten for dessert, coffee is not served as a celebratory drink etc). Being able to alter these associations may help promote healthier food choices. However, little empirical research has examined context effects in humans, using either behavioural or physiological studies. For instance, we do not know whether unconditioned rewards (i.e. foods that are naturally liked such as sugary tastes) are more or less susceptible to the effect of context compared to conditioned rewards (i.e. foods that one learns to like). It is also not known whether associations between food and context can be altered.
The successful applicant will use an evaluative conditioning paradigm in which a target food will be positively or neutrally conditioned. As part of this conditioning, an association between the target food and a context will be induced either explicitly (through verbal information) or implicitly (through exposure).

The project will use behavioural as well as physiological measures such as measures of autonomic arousal and EEG/ERP.

Applicants should hold a minimum 2:1 (or equivalent) degree in psychology, neuroscience, or a related discipline. The project would be ideally suited to a candidate seeking to establish a research career in experimental psychology or industrial R&D.

Interested candidates should submit a CV and detailed covering letter outlining their suitability for the project to Dr Isabelle Blanchette at: isabelle.blanchette@manchester.ac.uk.

Contact details for two referees should also be provided.

For further information on the project please contact Dr Blanchette at the address provided.

http://www.psych-sci.manchester.ac.uk/research/groups/cognitionandcognitive/

Funding Notes
The studentship is open to UK/EU nationals only due to the nature of the funding and will attract a minimum annual stipend of £15, 440 in addition to tuition fees. The PhD will involve a research placement at Unilever R&D.

http://www.findaphd.com/search/showproject.asp?projectid=16421

Research Assistant

Hiring Organization: PhD candidate


Position Description:
This position will involve assisting the primary researcher catching, radio-collaring and collecting behavioral data of pygmy lorises in eastern Cambodia. The work is at night and the applicant will be required to work throughout the night. Researchers will sleep in the forest. Animals will be followed all night and information on their habitat use, diet and social organisation will be collected. The position will work 10 days on, 4 days off. Training in data collection will be provided by the primary researcher.

Qualifications/Experience:
•- B. Sc. Or environmental sciences
•- Hard working and able to work for long hours in the forest
•- Good English, written and spoken
•- Keen interest in working with wildlife
•- Able to learn new skills quickly
•- Experience in excel, word and arcview

Salary/funding:
NA. Due to limited funding the researcher cannot provide funding for the assistant.
Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging): It is cheap in the field. Costs when in camp are $5 per night for accommodations and food and less in the forest.

Term of Appointment:
starting as soon as possible - June.

Contact Information:
Carly Starr
Phnom Penh N/A
Cambodia
Telephone Number:
+85592 745971
E-mail Address:
bengalensis@hotmail.com

PhD: Chemical ecology and genetics in mammals

A PhD position will be available on "Chemical ecology and genetics in mammals" from August 1st 2008 (for 3-4 years). This is an exciting interdisciplinary project that brings together chemistry, biochemistry and ecology to allow novel insight into sociality and communication in mammals. The project will focus on Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber), brown bears (Ursus arctos) and yellow-bellied marmots (Marmota flaviventris) as model species.

The student will be enrolled at the Norwegian University of Life Science, Ås, Norway but work daily at Telemark University College, Bø, Telemark, Norway.

Assoc. Prof. Frank Rosell will be main supervisor; Professor Jon Swenson (http://www.umb.no/ina/ansatte/jsw_e.htm), Dr. Andreas Zedrosser (http://www.umb.no/ina/ansatte/arz_e.htm), and Assoc. Prof. Dan Blumstein, UCLA, USA (see http://www.eeb.ucla.edu/Faculty/Blumstein/) will be co-supervisors.

The majority of field work will be carried out in Telemark on beavers with additional field work on bears in Sweden, and on yellow-bellied marmots at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (http:// www.rmbl.org), Colorado, USA.

Please contact Frank Rosell (Frank.Rosell@hit.no) for further details.

MSc in Animal Behaviour

MSc in Animal Behaviour at the University of Exeter is now accepting applications for October 2008.

The MSc programme in Animal Behaviour is a unique course in the United Kingdom, allowing both psychology and biology students to investigate questions in the area of animal behaviour.

The programme is designed to provide students with a strong background in a broad cross section of research methods used by animal behaviourists and behavioural ecologists. The research skills will be backed up by a strong theoretical grounding. The purpose of the programme is to give students the opportunity to advance and expand their knowledge in the field of animal behaviour and to gain expertise in the research and statistical methods generally used in Psychology. Students will have the opportunity to learn how to formulate and test relevant research questions, as well as learning to critically evaluate the research carried out by others in the field. The programme will enable students to get an insight into the varied means of doing animal behaviour research in a wide array of locations - zoo, laboratory and in the wild. Students will be well suited to continue in academia to pursue PhDs at Exeter and elsewhere. They will also have the necessary training to work in such places as zoos, wildlife offices, research centres and the expanding field of eco-tourism. This is a full 12 month course comprising taught courses, practical courses and a research placement. The teaching and learning methods are a mix of lectures, seminars, practicals and field courses. Overall there is a strong practical and demonstration element to the programme utilising innovative teaching practices. For full-time students course work should occupy about four days a week, leaving you a fifth day for preparatory work on your research placement.

For further details please contact the Fiona Neligan, Postgraduate Secretary F.C.Neligan@ex.ac.uk, or browse our web pages at:

http://www.psychology.ex.ac.uk/pgtaught/mscab.shtml

Dr Lisa Leaver
Senior Lecturer
Director of the MSc in Animal Behaviour
School of Psychology
University of Exeter
EX4 4QG
UK

Volunteer Opportunity

We are looking for volunteers on a project examining the evolution of dispersal and sociality. The themes of this work are centered on the evolution of sociality (cooperation), condition-dependent dispersal, and meta-population dynamics. This project seeks to experimentally manipulate parameters of dispersal behavior and social aggregations to understand trade-offs and key determinants of the evolution of these behaviors. The project is lab based, using Tetrahymena thermophila, a unicellular ciliated protist, as a model organism. Our recent work has shown genetic variation in dispersal and cooperative behavior among clonal lines and has investigated some elements of condition-dependent dispersal (information use, dispersal phenotypes).
Future work will examine evolutionary processes affecting dispersal and the stability of social strategies to build on previous findings. Volunteers are expected to participate in maintenance of cultures, experimental manipulations, and the best candidates will also be capable of helping to plan experiments and process data.

This project is run in Dr. Jean Clobert's lab and students will work with both Dr. Clobert and Dr. Alexis Chaine. The lab is situated in the foothills of the French Pyrenees Mountains at a CNRS field station (Moulis / Saint Girons). Students will be provided with housing but will be expected to cover their other expenses. Work is ongoing and volunteers can begin at a negotiated date. Duration of work is flexible, and while volunteers are expected to commit to a minimum of 4 weeks, priority will be given to those who can commit to longer periods.

For more information, please contact Alexis Chaine at alexis.chaine@ecoex-moulis.cnrs.fr

3-yr Ph.D. studentship in Cognitive Neuroscience

3-yr Ph.D. studentship in Cognitive Neuroscience of motor control and coordination

Applications are invited for a 3-yr PhD studentship, funded by School of Psychology, Bangor University (UK), and supervised by Dr Jörn Diedrichsen. The studentship will commence 1 October 2008.

The student will join the laboratory for Human Motor Control Lab, Bangor. Work in the laboratory focuses on the computational principles and neural underpinnings of human motor control, especially in the areas of bimanual coordination and function of the cerebellum, using fMRI, and patient-based research. For more information about the lab, visit http://www.bangor.ac.uk/~pss412.

The Studentship will be undertaken within the School of Psychology, which was given the top rating of 5*A in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise. The School houses a 3T MRI scanner, and offers a thriving research and learning environment in the Clinical and Cognitive Neurosciences. For more information visit http://www.psychology.bangor.ac.uk / or contact Jörn Diedrichsen directly j.diedrichsen@bangor.ac.uk.

Applicants with a Masters degree in Psychology, Neuroscience, Engineering, or a related field are preferred. Minimal requirement for application is a first or upper second class honors BA degree in a relevant field.

Applications should take the form of (1) a full academic CV, (2) a cover-letter stating research interests and how you might develop the project, and (3) two letters of reference from appropriate academic referees relating directly to your application (with telephone numbers and emails for confirmation). These should be sent to:
Louise Shelley,
Research and Knowledge Transfer Manager,
School of Psychology, Bangor University,
Adeilad Brigantia, Penrallt Road, Bangor,
Gwynedd, LL57 2AS.
Telephone 01248 383831.

Short-listed candidates will be interviewed. Deadline for this application is March, 1st, 2008. For details on application visit http://www.bangor.ac.uk/~pss412/PhD_Diedrichsen_2008.htm

Stage: comportement du verrat

Proposition stage
M1, étudiant Ingénieur

Réponses comportementales des jeunes verrats à leurs conditions d’entretien et d’utilisation en station de contrôle d’insémination artificielle.

Unités d’accueil:
Unité (Unité Expérimentale Insémination caprine et porcine UEICP de Rouillé (Resp: Philippe Guillouet)
INRA- UMR SENAH Saint-Gilles Equipe: Elevage, environnement et bien-être (responsable: JY Dourmad)

Contexte de l’étude :
A l’entrée dans une station de contrôle des aptitudes des animaux pour l’insémination artificielle (CIA), les jeunes verrats sont soumis à différents évènements, incluant l’entrée en quarantaine, la phase de débourrage, la collecte de sang pour des sérologies, puis le transfert dans une loge pour l’ensemble de la période de collecte. Il est rapporté un pourcentage non négligeable (20%) de réformes précoces des verrats, qui représente un coût génétique et économique très important pour la filière porcine. Les principales causes de ces réformes sont la qualité de la semence, les problèmes d’aplombs et la mortalité. Ces 2 derniers critères représentant 30 à 45% des réformes selon les types génétiques, et peuvent être amplifiés par des manipulations inadaptées depuis l’entrée en quarantaine jusqu’à l’entrée en CIA. Parallèlement à ces problèmes, le dernier rapport de l’EFSA sur le bien-être du porc (2007/ 572, 1-13) souligne l’insuffisance des travaux sur le bien-être du verrat. Il reste ainsi de nombreuses inconnues sur l’adaptation des animaux à leurs conditions d’élevage, d’entretien et d’utilisation, et leurs conséquences sur le bien-être des animaux.

Objectif du stage : Analyse des réponses comportementales aux différents évènements, visant à

1/ évaluer le niveau d’adaptation des animaux
2/ identifier des facteurs de risques prédictifs des causes de réforme liés à des caractéristiques individuelles du verrat.

Le travail consistera donc à enregistrer le comportement des animaux lors de l’introduction des verrats dans les cases de quarantaine et de la période de collecte, lors des déplacements ou des pesées (réactivité émotionnelle, relation homme-animal), lors des séances de débourrage (latence de monte sur le mannequin, durée de collecte ).

Formation requise: biologie, éthologie
Financement stage : Unité Expérimentale Insémination caprine et porcine UEIC
Lieu et période de stage :
Unité Expérimentale Insémination caprine et porcine UEIC, Venours 86480 Rouillé
Printemps 2008, 3 mois
Responsables scientifiques:
P. Guillouet, S. Ferchaud , INRA UEIC
M.C. Meunier-Salaün, INRA UMRSENAH , St-Gilles

Contacts :
stephane.ferchaud@lusignan.inra.fr Tél : 05.49.89.00.82
marie-christine.salaun@rennes.inra.fr Tel 02 23 48 50 57

6 PhD/Postdoctoral Fellowships

Employer: University of Bergen (http://www.eecrg.uib.no)

Location: Bergen Norway

Posted: February 06, 2008

Expires: April 06, 2008

Description

The ECOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE RESEARCH GROUP in the Department of Biology, University of Bergen, is offering

6 PhD/Postdoctoral Fellowships

in population ecology, community ecology, and biogeography. The candidates will work on four externally funded projects addressing the effects of climate change, habitat fragmentation, invasive species, and interacting drivers of ecosystem change in Norway and Uganda.

Salaries will be ca. €4 1,000 and €50,000 p.a.

For further information: http://www.eecrg.uib.no or vigdis.vandvik@bio.uib.no

Don't forget to mention naturejobs when replying to this advert.

This recruiter would like you to apply via their website. Follow the link below for further instructions: http://www.eecrg.uib.no/

PhD Studentships – Dialect formation and function in North Island kokako

Employer: University of Waikato (http://bio.waikato.ac.nz/)

Location: Hamilton, New Zealand

Posted: December 05, 2007

Expires: February 15, 2008

Description

We are seeking two PhD students to investigate dialect formation and function in New Zealand’s endangered North Island kokako, Callaeas cinerea wilsoni. Kokako are a duetting species with long, complex songs and easily distinguishable dialects – often several within single continuous populations. During territorial interactions, both male and female pair members perform many of the same countersinging behaviours as those used by more familiar solo-singing species. Having established an understanding of the species’ song structure and singing behaviour, we are turning our attention to how dialects develop and influence communication in kokako populations.

Kokako provide a remarkable system for dialect studies for several reasons. One major advantage of studying dialects in this species is that an ambitious program of species translocation and reintroduction has created new populations in which we can follow patterns of song change as they occur, rather than examining only the “end result” of dialect formation. Examples of populations established by founders from one and multiple source populations are available, allowing comparison of the degree and kinds of change arising from cultural drift and abrupt mixing of vocal traditions. Additionally, because both male and female kokako must learn and perform population-appropriate vocalisations, there is the opportunity to investigate whether the kind, degree or speed of dialect change differs between the sexes. Answering these questions may in turn elucidate whether the function of territorial song differs between sexes, and help us to understand why duetting, rather than solo singing, is the predominant singing strategy in this species.

These two PhD fellowships are funded by the Royal Society of New Zealand’s Marsden fund, and will be based at the University of Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand. The successful applicant will work under the supervision of Prof. Joe Waas (University of Waikato) and Dr. Laura Molles (Lincoln University). Students will also work closely with New Zealand’s Department of Conservation, which oversees management of all remaining kokako populations. Applicants should have a strong background in animal behaviour and preferably previous experience with sound recording and analysis. Because the project will require extensive fieldwork, often in remote areas, previous fieldwork experience and competence in backcountry navigation and safety is essential. The research will involve the design, implementation and interpretation of song playback experiments as well as extensive sound analysis.

More information about kokako song:

LE Molles, JD Hudson & JR Waas (2006) The mechanics of duetting in a New Zealand endemic, the kokako (Callaeas cinerea wilsoni): song at a snail’s pace.
Ethology 112: 424-436.

LE Molles & JR Waas (2006) Are two heads better than one Responses of the duetting kokako to one- and two-speaker playback. Animal Behaviour 72: 131-138.

Duration: 3 years
Start date: 1 June 2008
Stipend: NZ$22,000 per annum plus tuition fees*. Funding for the majority of fieldwork and equipment costs is also provided.

PhD positions are open to applicants from New Zealand and from overseas countries.

Please apply using application below.

Applications close on Friday 15 February 2008.

• fees will be covered at the domestic student rate. This rate now applies to both domestic students and international students from most countries.

http://www.nature.com/naturejobs/science/jobs/35896

Stages en ecology

Projet 1 - Chytridiomycosis

Chytridiomycosis est une maladie infectieuse touchant de nombreuses espèces d’amphibiens au niveau mondial. Cette maladie causée par un champignon appartenant à la famille des Chytrids dénommé Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, peut causer la mort d’une partie ou de la population entière infectée par ce champignon. Connu depuis une quinzaine d’année maintenant, cette maladie a déjà décimé plusieurs populations de batraciens de par le monde (Australie, Afrique, Amériques) et plus récemment, l’Europe à elle aussi été touchée avec des cas recensés en Italie et en Espagne (la Vallée de l’Echo en Espagne, a subie des mortalités de masse d’Alytes obstetricans post-metamorphiques depuis 2003. En 2006, 5 des 19 populations de cette espèce étaient infectées par B. dendrobatidis, dans les Lacs du Puits D'arious et le Lac d’Ansabere, les populations ont presque disparu…). Malgré ce constat alarmant, peut de choses sont connues sur ce champignon et ceci plus particulièrement en Europe où cette maladie est apparue dernièrement. Que ce soit au niveau de sa répartition, de son mode de dispersion, de sa biologie seules quelques études ont été réalisées à ce jour. Ainsi, en collaboration avec Collège Impérial de Londres, nous commençons actuellement une étude sur le champignon parasite B. dendrobatidis à la Station d’Ecologie Expérimentale du CNRS à Moulis. Nous souhaitons réaliser des observations ainsi que des prélèvements sur les départements de l’Ariège et de la Haute Garonne, sur une zone allant de Luchon à la principauté d’Andorre.

Période : Avril – Septembre 2008

Stage : Minimum 2 mois, plus long est préférable.

Project 2 – Mate Choice Copying chez le Calotriton/Euprocte

De plus en plus d’indices suggèrent que l’information publique perçue par une femelle pendant qu’elle observe des partenaires potentiels s’engager dans des interactions sociales peut influencer son choix du partenaire. Chez certaines espèces, lorsqu’une femelle a le choix entre un mâle qu’elle a vu s’accoupler avec une autre femelle et un autre male, elle choisit le premier mâle. Ainsi, des femelles peuvent copier le choix de partenaire réalisé par d’autres femelles. Or, ce phénomène, encore mal connu, soulève des questions quant aux possibles mécanismes évolutifs sous-jacents au choix du partenaire. Par ailleurs, il pourrait avoir pour conséquence la transmission culturelle des préférences.

L’expérience a pour but d’explorer l’existence d’un copiage du choix du partenaire chez le Calotriton, et ce pour 2 types de populations de Calotritons, soumises à des pressions de sélection différentes (les populations occupant les ruisseaux vs celles occupant les grottes).

Période : May - Octobre 2008

Stage : Minimum 2 mois, plus long est préférable.

Project 3 – Mémorisation de l’apprentissage chez la Drosophile

La transmission culturelle des comportements de génération en génération requiert qu’un individu apprenne un comportement. Il faut ensuite qu’il soit capable de le mémoriser durant suffisamment longtemps pour pouvoir exprimer ce comportement devant un individu de la génération suivante, afin que ce second individu puisse lui-même le transmettre à un troisième individu. Le projet consiste à étudier les processus d’apprentissage et de mémorisation d’un comportement appris, le copiage du partenaire sexuel. Ce comportement est appris chez la Drosophile, et pourrait se transmettre culturellement. Le temps d’apprentissage et l’âge auquel l’individu apprend sont des facteurs qui peuvent influencer la mémorisation de cet apprentissage. C’est ce qui sera testé au cours de se stage sur un modèle insecte, la Drosophile.

Période : March - Octobre 2008

Stage : Minimum 2 mois, plus long est préférable.

La station

La Station d’Ecologie Expérimentale du CNRS est située à Moulis, dans la Vallée du Lez, dans le Couserans (Ariège). Actuellement, 15 personnes travaillent dans la station qui seront bientôt aidés par plusieurs doctorants et stagiaires. Les stagiaires seront logés gratuitement dans la station, dans des logements à partager avec 2-3 autres étudiants. Il est recommandé (mais pas obligatoire) de disposer d’une voiture parce que Moulis est à environ 6km de la prochaine ville (St. Girons). Pour de plus amples informations, vous pouvez visiter notre site internet www.ecoex-moulis.cnrs.fr.

Field Assistant: Male/Infant Relationships in Sulawesi Macaques, Indonesia

Hiring Organization:Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology

Position Description:
We are looking for two consecutive field assistants on a PhD project investigating male-infant relationships in Sulawesi crested black macaques (Macaca nigra). This study will be conducted on a wild macaque population in the Tangkoko-Bataungus Nature Reserve (Sulawesi, Indonesia), within the Macaca Nigra project
(http://www.macaca-nigra.org>http://www.macaca-nigra.org).
The work of the field assistant will include a training period of 4 weeks, and behavioural data collection with a handheld computer over a period of 8 months. Position also involves data entry
and faecal sample collection for paternity analyses. The project is supervised by Dr. Anja Widdig, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig (Germany) and Dr. Antje Engelhardt, German Primate Centre, Göttingen (Germany).

Qualifications/Experience:
Previous field experience is welcome, but not required. Priority will be given to applicants with successful experience collecting behavioural data from individually recognized mammals. Experience of working in tropical conditions demanding good physical exercise is helpful as monkeys are followed from dawn to dusk (about 13h a day) in a tropical forest. The language in our team is English. The successful candidate must have medical insurance and proper vaccination.
In general, applicants should:
- be physically fit and mentally strong with very good social skills
- be able to work independently within our team
- feel comfortable living under basic conditions and being far away from family/friends
- be willing to adapt to a foreign culture
- be emotionally mature, friendly, energetic and very patient
- be able to maintain a positive attitude towards hard and tiring work.

Salary/funding:
There is NO salary and support available for airfare (which is about 700-800 €), health insurance and vaccinations (no anti-malarial prophylaxis needed). Housing and food cost approximately 120 €/month. If funding is raised, reimbursement of the cost regarding housing and food will be given at the end of the research period.

Term of Appointment:
A 9 month commitment is required, longer terms are encouraged. Two start dates are available: May 2008 and January 2009.

Application Deadline:
March 1st 2008 for the first research period. For the second, Applications will be accepted until position is filled.

Comments:
To apply, email a CV, a letter describing your interests in the study of animal behaviour and contact information for two referees. Please contact me via e-mail with any questions.

Contact Information:
Daphne Kerhoas
Deutscher Platz 6
Leipzig 04103
Germany
Telephone Number:
+49 341 3550 227

Website: http://www.macaca-nigra.org
E-mail Address: daphne.kerhoas@eva.mpg.de

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.

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

---------
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/