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.
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.