1 PhD position available at the Courant Research Center Evolution of Social Behavior, Göttingen University, Germany
Applications are invited for a PhD project to work on competition and cooperation in male Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus) in their natural habitat in Morocco. The project will focus on male reproductive competition and consequences for social relationships and stress physiology in Barbary macaques. The study will be carried out in the oak and cedar forest near the city of Azrou, in the Middle Atlas Mountains, Morocco. The field site is run by Dr. Bonaventura Majolo (University of Lincoln, UK) and Prof. Mohammed Qarro (Ecole Nationale Forestière d'Ingénieurs, Morocco). Three habituated troops are currently available to study at the field site. Accommodation will be in the city of Azrou, in a fully furnished flat with internet connection. Azrou can be easily reached from Fez international airport (around Km60 from Azrou), but also from Rabat-Sale’ or Casablanca airports. All the necessary equipment for field work is available on site (binoculars, weather station, hand-held computers and software for data collection, and equipment for playback experiments).
Initial funding is available (9-12 months depending on the starting date) and we are currently seeking additional funding up to three more years.
The candidate should hold a master’s degree in Biology or Physical Anthropology and have a strong background in Behavioral Ecology or Animal Behavior. Anticipated start of fieldwork is August 2009 and data collection will last approximately 1.5 years. The work at the field site is physically very demanding. The field site is between 1,400 and 1,900 meters a.s.l. and weather conditions can vary dramatically across the year, with temperature ranging between 35ºC to -5ºC and snow in the winter months. Hence, interested individuals should be physically fit and have previous experience with field work in remote areas. He/she should enjoy working in a team as well as individually and independently. Data collection will include detailed behavioral sampling as well as collection of fecal or urine samples for subsequent hormonal analyses. Thus, prior experience in behavioral observation of social animals in the wild will be a pre-requisite. Ability to speak (and write) English is mandatory, knowledge of French and/or Arabic beneficial. Following the field period, behavioral and hormonal analyses will be conducted at the University of Göttingen, Germany. Applications should include a letter describing research experiences and interests, a CV and contact information of two referees. Application should be send be to Prof. Julia Ostner via email (jostner@gwdg.de). Review of applications start immediately and will continue until the position is filled.