Camp manager

Hiring Organization:
Max-Planck-Institute for Evol. Anthropology

Date Posted:
2010-02-20

Position Description:
We are looking for a camp manager for an ongoing long-term project in LuiKotale, Salonga NP, Democratic Republic of Congo. The person will be in charge of camp management, logistics, and communication. This includes organizing working schedules of local field assistants, making payments to local workers, organizing food and other supplies, maintenance of camp infrastructure, communication with our base in Kinshasa and with local villages. The camp manager is also in charge of processing and maintaining the plant sample collection at camp. Fresh plant samples are brought from the forest on a daily basis and have to be photographed and herborized before they are dried and stored for transport to the herbarium in Kinshasa. The person is also in charge of representing the project in communications with local authorities and village leaders. Information about the field site and research activities at LuiKotale is available at www.eva.mpg.de/primat

Qualifications/Experience:
ESSENTIAL requirements are: (1) field experience, (2) language skills (English and French), (3) above average physical fitness, (4) high resistance to social/psychological stress, (5) practical/technical skills to supervise and maintain the camps infrastructure such as solar electricity, generator, satphone, sw-radio, (6) the ability to achieve tasks by improvisation, using the limited sources that are available, (7) the capacity to live and work with an international team of researchers, volunteers and local staff. Candidates should have social skills, a sense of leadership, a strong motivation to take on responsibility, and tolerance. Candidates with medical and rescue training, and candidates with experience in botany will be preferred.

Salary/funding:
300 Euro/month

Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
The project covers the following expenses:
- food (mainly local food supplemented with some western food)and lodging (in tents) at the field site;
- airfare for one domestic flight from Kinshasa to the field site and back;
- contribution of up to 800 Euros to an international return flight (reimbursement ONLY AFTER SUCCESSFUL COMPLETITION OF A 9 MONTS TERM OF APPOINTMENT);
- expenses for visa (reimbursement ONLY AFTER SUCCESSFUL COMPLETITION OF A 9 MONTS TERM OF APPOINTMENT);

The project does NOT cover the following expenses:

- expenses during the stay in Kinshasa on the way in/out of Congo;
- costs for a health and other insurances;
- personal equipment such as field cloths, camping equipment, and medication.

Term of Appointment:
9 months starting in August 2010

Application Deadline:
June 15

Comments:
Before applying, candidates are expected to seek updated information on the political situation in DRCongo and to contact experts for information on the risk coming from tropical diseases.

Contact Information:
Dr. Gottfried Hohmann
Deutscher Platz 6
Leipzig 04103
Germany

Telephone Number:
++49 341 3550 208

Website:
http://www.eva.mpg.de

E-mail Address:
hohmann@eva.mpg.de

Volunteer Field Assistant - Tantalus Monkey Release Project

Hiring Organization:
Nigerian Montane Forest Project

Date Posted:
2010-02-21

Position Description:
I am seeking a Volunteer Field Assistant to help with a planned release program. We have three tantalus monkeys (adult male and female and their daughter) living in a cage at the edge of a forest. The parents were wild born and caught as youngsters. They were "rescued" from a village while still young and housed on the campus at my former university (American University of Nigeria). The two became three during July 2009. In late November, the three were moved to their present location, where they are being monitored and cared for by local staff. I seek a student/volunteer to carry out the expansion of the project by monitoring the monkeys' behavior and becoming acquainted with the local troop(s) of tantalus monkeys. We hope to eventually release the three monkeys to join the wild troop. Progress is being made now (the locals visit often), but we need to have better data collection in place before making a decision for release - and then continue to monitor their acceptance (we hope!) into the wild troop.

The location is a beautiful montane forest, high in the Mambilla Plateau of eastern Nigeria. The field station is well-equipped, comfortable, and secure. Various students and field staff are around at all times, so although this is a remote location, you will not be alone/lonely.

Qualifications/Experience:
I prefer someone who has worked with African monkeys and has a background in biology, psychology, or anthropology. Must be physically fit and energetic. I need someone who is mature and able to make decisions, yet willing to take direction. You must be hard-working, honest, reliable, etc. Letters of reference required.

Salary/funding:
None. This is a volunteer opportunity.

Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
Lodging is provided. Meals, travel to/from Nigeria, visa fees, etc., are the responsibility of the Volunteer.

Term of Appointment:
At least a three month commmitment is required. Visa restrictions may determine how long we may extend this.

Application Deadline:
No deadline. Position is available immediately.

Comments:
I am currently in Tanzania, but I am reachable via email. Please email with any questions.

Contact Information:
Janette Wallis
2901 Ginger Drive
Norman 73026
USA

E-mail Address:
janettewallis@sbcglobal.net

Biobehavioral Research Post Doctoral Internship

Hiring Organization:
The Mannheimer Foundation, Inc. / Haman Ranch

Date Posted:
2010-02-22

Position Description:
The Biobehavioral Research Internship (BRI) provides graduate and post-doctoral students in the behavioral and biological sciences the opportunity for nonhuman primate research experience. In particular, Interns will focus on improved understanding of the physiological, environmental, and life history factors that influence and constrain non-human primate behavior. Interns will develop practical knowledge and expertise to transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries. Interns will be encouraged to apply their academic knowledge to focus on practical problems in colony management and veterinary contexts. Interns will receive training at two different non-human primate facilities that include more than 4,000 socially housed non-human primates and will receive training from a faculty of experienced Ph.D. and D.V.M. researchers who will provide intensive research instruction.

The Biobehavioral Research Internship includes four major components: 1) an introduction to macaque behavior and behavioral observation data collection, 2) psychological wellness and environmental enrichment training, 3) research training from project development to manuscript preparation, and (4) technical training in basic veterinary techniques and biological data collection. Interns will be required to collect data on an assigned biobehavioral research project, conduct an analysis, complete a background literature review, and draft a publishable manuscript or brief communication based on the results of their project. Results will be presented to full staff and may be presented at a professional meeting.

Qualifications/Experience:
Applicants with interest in the veterinary, biological, or behavioral sciences are encouraged to apply. Post-doctoral Intern applicants must have completed a Ph.D. or D.V.M. although A.B.D. students are also welcome to apply pending completion of their course of study. Computer skills and prior statistical coursework are encouraged for all applicants.

Salary/funding:
Salary dependent on education and experience.

Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
Low cost / no cost housing available.

Term of Appointment:
12 Months

Application Deadline:
May 1, 2010

Comments:
Initial interviews will be conducted during the upcoming American Society of Primatologists meeting in June, 2010.

Contact Information:
Sue Howell
P.O. Box 1235
Clewiston, FL 33440
USA

Telephone Number:
(863) 983-6003

Fax Number:
(863) 983-4608

E-mail Address:
showell@hamanranch.org

Perception de scènes naturelles émotionnelles, IRMF et EEG, Grenoble, 1 mars-7 mai

Dans le cadre d’une étude de sciences cognitives sur la perception de scènes naturelles émotionnelles, nous recherchons des candidats volontaires sains, droitiers, joueurs de jeux vidéo et non joueurs, âgés entre 20 et 35 ans, et ayant des disponibilités pendant la période du 1 Mars au 7 mai.

Lieu d'expérimentation : Grenoble

Au cours de cette expérience, nous enregistrerons votre activité cérébrale à l’aide de la méthode
- d’imagerie fonctionnelle par résonance magnétique (IRMf)
OU
- d’électroencéphalographie(EEG)

L’IRMf et l’EEG sont des techniques non-invasives et indolores.

L’expérimentation durera 2 h00 si vous réalisez l’expérience en IRMf ou 2h30 si vous réalisez l’expérience en EEG.

Si vous êtes intéressés par l’expérience et que vous respectez les critères suivants:
- vision normale ou corrigée à la normale,
- aucune pathologie neurologique ou psychiatrique actuelle ou passée
- aucun traitement médicamenteux régulier (hors contraception),

Veuillez nous communiquer vos coordonnées (numéro de téléphone et mail de contact) à l’adresse suivante: motivemo.grenoble [ à ] gmail.com.

Nous vous contacterons, dans un premier temps, pour vous expliquer l’expérience et son déroulement et répondre à vos questions. Puis dans un second temps, pour convenir d'un rendez-vous en fonction de vos disponibilités.

Indemnisation financière: oui.
Vous serez indemnisés pour la séance et recevrez en cadeau une vidéo de votre cerveau en 3D sur CD.

Responsable scientifique de l'étude:
Aurélie Campagne (UPMF), Maître de Conférences Neurosciences
Laboratoire de Psychologie et Neuro-Cognition, CNRS-UMR5105
Université Pierre Mendes France, BP 47 38040 Grenoble Cedex 9
Téléphone: 04 56 52 85 08

Field Assistant - Chimpanzee research

Hiring Organization:
University of St Andrews

Date Posted:
2010-02-11

Position Description:
A research assistant position is available in the Budongo forest, Uganda, to work with an unhabituated population of chimpanzees.

The job will consist in studying this population using two methods:

- observational:
with the help of a field assistant provided by BCFS (www.budongo.org), the volunteer will track the chimpanzees in the forest and determine their feeding habits, so as to compare it with a neighbouring habituated community.

- experimental:
the volunteer will implement an experimental study in the site aiming at discovering the tool use abilities of these chimpanzees, so as to compare them with the neighbouring communities. The study will be conducted with the help of a remote controlled camera.

Qualifications/Experience:
No particular qualification is asked for. However, good health condition is required (following for the chimpanzees in the forest is demanding and can easily a represent a consequent distance per day).

Two letters of recommendation in support of the candidate are required.

Salary/funding:
No salary/funding is available.
Additionally, camp fees (300£/month) are at the volunteer's charge.

Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
The student will be housed at Budongo Conservation Field Station.
Meals are at the volunteer's expense, shared with other researchers on site (70$/month).
Travel to and from the camp are at the volunteer's expense. However the project car is frequently going to and from camp and arrangement can be made.

Term of Appointment:
a minimum of 3 months, between March and September 2010

Application Deadline:
1st June 2010

Contact Information:
Thibaud Gruber
United Kingdom

E-mail Address:
thibaud.gruber@googlemail.com

Primate welfare and conservation work

Date Posted:
2010-02-10

Position Description:
I am looking to expand my knowledge and skills in primate conservation.
I hope to become involved in conservation work to help promote the severe endangerment that many primate species are facing today!
I am completing a masters at the moment so am looking for work starting September 2010

Educational Background:
1st class honors degree from the University of Liverpool (studying Zoology with Evolutionary Psychology)

Currently I am studying a MSc in Cognitive and Evolutionary Anthropology at Oxford University (finishing September 2010)

Qualifications/Experience:
I have worked in a zoo (work experience) before but want to expand my knowledge and experience working with animals and 'behind the scenes' in animal welfare and conservation.

Application Deadline:
September 2010

Contact Information:
Lettice Bell
Wolfson college, Linton road
Oxford, Oxfordshire
United Kingdom

Telephone Number:
07815560782

E-mail Address:
letticebell@hotmail.com

Conférence Frans de Waal 20 février

Un grand nom de l'éthologie est actuellement en France.
Direction Paris et une conférence publique le 20 février.

Evolution and diversification of ants

Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) are amongst the most ecologically successful organisms with over 11,000 known species in 20 subfamilies originating 115-170 million years ago. Recent work has advanced our understanding of the evolutionary relationships of this group, giving us a greater appreciation of the evolution of ant social structures, life histories and threats. Despite this research, fundamental questions about ant evolution remain. The aim of this NERC CASE PhD studentship is to use phylogenetic comparative methods to address fundamental macroevolutionary and macroecological questions within this group. The student will collate data on ant phylogenetic histories to produce the first ant 'supertree', along with data on social structures, life histories, geographic distributions and threats. These data will be used to reconstruct diversification patterns, to determine the factors responsible for diversification shifts (e.g. caste differentiation), and to identify determinants of ant spatial biodiversity with a view to prioritizing conservation. The student will therefore receive a broad training in phylogenetic comparative techniques, eusocial evolution, ant ecology and conservation.

Funding Notes
Funding is available for UK/EU students. Funding awarded for this project will cover tuition fees and stipend for UK students. EU students may be eligible for full funding, or tuition fees only, depending on the funding source. International students will not be eligible for this funding however they are still welcome to apply for the project but would have to find alternative funding.


Burke AFG, Franks NR (1995) Social Evolution in Ants. Monographs in Behavior and Ecology, Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey.
Jones KE, Bininda-Emonds ORP, Gittleman JL (2005) Bats, clocks and rocks: diversification patterns in Chiroptera. Evolution 59:2243-2255.
Jones KE, Teeling EC (2009) Phylogenetic tools for examining character and clade evolution in bats. In: Ecological and Behavioral Methods for the Study of Bats (eds. T.H. Kunz and S. Parsons). Baltimore: John Hopkins University Press.
Moreau CS, Bell CD, Vila R, Archibald B, Pierce NE (2006) Phylogeny of the ants: diversification in the age of angiosperms. Science 312: 101-104.
Sumner, S., Hughes, W. O. H., Pedersen, J. S. & Boomsma, J. J. 2004 Ant parasite queens revert to mating singly. Nature 428, 35-36.

More information?

Conservation, ecology and genetics of the Cape Verde warbler

The Cape Verde Warbler is an endangered passerine endemic to the Cape Verde islands. The last population of this species was believed to be confined to one island but recently populations have been discovered on two other isolated islands and the global population is estimated at ca. 1,000 birds. However the relationship between the three surviving populations, currently considered one species, has not yet been assessed. It would not be surprising, given the distances involved, if the warblers from each island are substantially different from each other. If so this could be important in determining management units and conservation priorities. Equally divergence between the populations could present opportunities, e.g. if effects of inbreeding can be reduced through genetic restoration. Before a program of conservation can be put into place for this species, levels of population differentiation need to be assessed. The PhD will investigate the amount and type of differentiation between the three populations of the warbler by assessing variation in biologically important characteristics; morphology, song, and genetics. The study will assess within and between population levels of genetic variation using both neutral markers (microsatellites) and functional markers (MHC genes) using tools already developed. The information we gather will help us determine how divergent the three populations are and assess how genetically viable each one is. This information will be used to help inform the future conservation and management of this species. It will also allow us to assess its’ use as a model system in which to explore questions in evolutionary ecology and conservation genetics. The issue of how much, and what type of, genetic variation is maintained in small bottlenecked populations of endangered species is an important question in contemporary conservation. Training will be provided in molecular methods, evolutionary theory, statistical modelling and ornithological fieldwork.


Funding Notes
Funding may be available for UK/EU students. If funding is awarded for this project it will cover tuition fees and stipend for UK students. EU students may be eligible for full funding, or tuition fees only, depending on the funding source. International students will not be eligible for this funding however they are still welcome to apply for this project but would have to find alternative funding.



RICHARDSON DS, & ROCAMORA G (2003) Genetic and morphological differentiation between the two remnant populations of Seychelles White-eye Zosterops modestus. Ibis 145 E34-E44
RICHARDSON, D. S. & WESTERDAHL, H. (2003) MHC diversity in two Acrocephalus species: the outbred Great reed warbler and the inbred Seychelles warbler. Molecular Ecology, 12, 3523-3529.
HANSSON, B. & RICHARDSON, D. S. (2005) Genetic variation in two endangered Acrocephalus species compared to a widespread congener: estimates based on functional and random loci. Animal Conservation, 8, 83-90.
RICHARDSON, D. S., KOMDEUR, J., BURKE, T. & VON SCHANTZ, T. (2005) MHC-based patterns of social and extra-pair mate choice in the Seychelles warbler. Proceedings of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences, 272, 759-767.
ILLERA JC, EMERSON BC, RICHARDSON DS, (2008) Genetic characterization, distribution and prevalence of avian pox and avian malaria in the Berthelot’s pipit (Anthus berthelotii) in Macaronesia. Parasitology Research. 103. 6. 1435-1443

More information?

Primatology Field Methods Course in Florida

Educational Organization:
Lemur Conservation Foundation

Date Posted:
2010-02-07

Program Description:
This field school is a joint effort between the Lemur Conservation Foundation and Portland State University.

Primatology Field Methods includes an intensive week-long session in a natural habitat reserve, the Lemur Conservation Foundation’s Myakka City Lemur Reserve in Florida. This course will introduce students to methods used for collecting behavioral and ecological data on free-ranging primates through a combination of lectures and field exercises. These will include development of ethograms, sampling methods, recording rules, mapping sites and animal movements, and estimating resource availability. By the end of this course students will be able to assess whether their interests lie in gaining further advanced training in primatology, such as graduate training or a field or lab assistantship with a senior scientist.

You may opt to take this course for college credit either through your home institution or through Portland State University. This course can contribute to degrees in fields such as Biology, Anthropology, and Environmental Science.

This is a 4-unit course and enrollment is limited to 10 students.

To learn more about the field school location and the various species of lemur at the Lemur Conservation Foundations Myakka City Lemur Reserve, please visit the website (http://www.lemurreserve.org)

Entrance Qualifications:
Interested parties should complete an application available at the following website:

http://www.lemurreserve.org/vasey.html

Applicants should have completed a university-level biology course, or a course in biological anthropology. Enrollment is not limited to university students. Skills acquired can be applied toward continuing education (e.g., for zoo professionals or other allied fields). All participants must be at least 18 years of age.

Tuition / Fees:
Course fee: $1675. This fee includes field school tuition, lodging and meals at the reserve, ground transportation in Florida, and some supplies. Students purchase airfare separately.

Start + End Dates:
Two sessions: March 20-28, 2010 and May 17-25, 2010

Application Deadline:
Applications are reviewed upon receipt.

Comments:
Early application and acceptance into the field course will allow you to shop for an economical airfare well in advance. The March session corresponds to Spring Break for many universities on the quarter system.

Contact Information:
Natalie Vasey
Department of Anthropology, Portland State University
Portland, Oregon 97207-0751
USA

Telephone Number:
503-725-3912

Fax Number:
503-725-3905

Website:
http://www.lemurreserve.org/vasey.html

E-Mail Address:
nvasey@pdx.edu

Field assistants for rhesus monkey research on Cayo Santiago, Puerto Rico

Hiring Organization:
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology

Date Posted:
2010-02-01

Position Description:
We are looking for a volunteer to assist on a project examining kin recognition on a semi free-ranging rhesus macaque population on Cayo Santiago, Puerto Rico. The project is being undertaken in the Lab of Dr Anja Widdig, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig (Germany) (see http://www.eva.mpg.de/pks/index.html). The volunteers will work alongside Dr. Dana Pfefferle (http://www.eva.mpg.de/pks/files/people.html).

The successful applicant will be expected to work on Cayo Santiago for 5-6 days a week, and may also be required to undertake data entry and/or processing in the later afternoon and early evenings. On Cayo Santiago, the primary task will be to assist carrying out playback experiments as well as to help recording rhesus macaque vocalizations. In order to do so, appropriate training (including the analyses procedure ultimately taking place) will be provided, after which a good quantum of independence is expected. This position is ideal for graduate students or recent graduates looking to gain experience in fieldwork and data collection.

Qualifications/Experience:
Carrying out playback experiments is a protracted and patience challenging task, including many hours of waiting for the correct situation. Thus you must be able to maintain a positive attitude. In general, applicants must be in good physical and mental condition; feel comfortable being far away from family and friends; be emotionally mature, energetic, and very patient; have an excellent eye for detail; don’t be afraid of approaching monkeys (!); willing to work in a small team setting and follow instructions. The ability to work in tropical conditions and the willingness to adapt to a foreign culture is needed. Although the work can be demanding, being close to habituated primates is very rewarding and a great experience.
The language in our team is English. The successful candidate must have medical insurance, a valid IACUC certificate (www.citiprogram.org) and a TB-test from within the last six months.

Salary/funding:
There is NO financial support available for airfare, health insurance, housing and food. Shared accommodation can often be found very cheaply in Punta Santiago (e.g. $250 per month).

Term of Appointment:
13th March until 13th June 2010

Application Deadline:
Open till position is filled

Comments:
To apply, candidates should email a brief cover letter outlining their interests, experience, and why they wish to join the project. They should attach a CV and make sure that two reference letters are sent directly to Dr. Dana Pfefferle (E-mail preferred). Please only send email applications.

Contact Information:
Dana Pfefferle
Germany

E-mail Address:
danapfefferle@googlemail.com

Call for PhD candidates

Appel à candidatures concernant un sujet de thèse - bourse MESR (3 ans)

Sujet :
Effets des interactions biotiques sur les processus de décomposition et de bioturbation.

Encadrants :
Dr. Franck GILBERT & Dr. Antoine LECERF

Laboratoire :
EcoLab – Laboratoire d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle
UMR 5245 (CNRS-UPS-INPT)
29 rue Jeanne Marvig - BP 24349
F- 31055 Toulouse cedex 4 (France)

Résumé :
Les conséquences de l’érosion de la biodiversité sont encore mal prédites pour les animaux, notamment en raison d’un vide théorique et d’un déficit en données expérimentales. Ce sujet est basé sur l’utilisation des ruisseaux et des zones humides contingentes comme "système modèle" à l’étude du rôle des macroinvertébrés dans la transformation et les flux de matières particulaires.
Deux processus clés du fonctionnement des écosystèmes seront étudiés conjointement afin d’évaluer leur interdépendance : (i) la décomposition des litières végétales immergées comme moteur de la dynamique trophique des écosystèmes hétérotrophes et (ii) la bioturbation agissant sur la distribution des sédiments ainsi que sur la structure et les fonctions des communautés benthiques. Pour plus de réalisme, ces recherches seront replacées dans un contexte multi-trophique incluant des organismes proies et des prédateurs.
L’hypothèse générale est que ces processus sont affectés par la diversité des invertébrés détritivores et fouisseurs ainsi que de leurs prédateurs. L’objectif de ce travail est de tendre vers une meilleure compréhension des mécanismes biologiques, en considérant les interactions trophiques (consommation) et non-trophiques (modification de comportement) entre organismes.
L’étudiant(e) s’appuiera sur une démarche expérimentale basée sur des mésocosmes ex-situ et in-situ. Il/elle manipulera des organismes modèles comme le gammare (omnivore), les larves d’éphémères (fouisseurs) et des larves d’odonates (prédateurs). Il/elle aura recourt à la modélisation pour développer des hypothèses originales concernant l’intensité de bioturbation, le taux de décomposition et la force des interactions proies-prédateurs.

Compétences recherchées :
Cette proposition de thèse s’adresse à des candidats titulaires d’un Master en écologie / sciences environnementales, ayant de bonnes connaissances en méthodes expérimentales en laboratoire et sur le terrain. Il ou elle sera amené à présenter le sujet de thèse face au comité de sélection de l’école doctorale SDU2E (http://sdu2e.omp.obs-mip.fr/).

Pour toute information complémentaire, contacter :
Antoine Lecerf ; antoine.lecerf@cict.fr ; +33 (0)5 62 29 99 85
Franck Gilbert ; franck.gilbert@cict.fr ; +33 (0)5 62 29 99 87

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Call for PhD candidates - 3-years MESR grant (French Ministry of Higher Education and Research)

Subject:
Effects of biotic interactions on litter decomposition and bioturbation processes.

Supervisor:
Dr. Franck GILBERT & Dr. Antoine LECERF

Laboratory:
EcoLab – Laboratoire d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle
UMR 5245 (CNRS-UPS-INPT)
29 rue Jeanne Marvig - BP 24349
F- 31055 Toulouse cedex 4 (France)

Abstract:
The ecosystem consequences of biodiversity loss are still not fully appreciated for animals because of theoretical gaps and the paucity of empirical testing in multitrophic systems. Streams and wetlands will be used to investigate effects of macroinvertebrates on particular organic matter dynamics.
Two ecosystem functions will be examined concomitantly: (i) decomposition of submerged plant litter as the main energy source to aquatic food webs, (ii) bioturbation that controls sediment distribution and the structure and functions of benthic communities. These will be studied in a 3-trophic level system with plant litter, primary consumers, and predators.
The working hypothesis will be that the rates of litter decomposition and bioturbation are determined indirectly by biotic interactions within and between trophic guilds. Efforts will be devoted to assessing the relative importance of trophic (density-mediated) and non-trophic (trait-mediated) interactions in controlling both ecosystem functions.
The successful candidate will undertake experimental studies using ex-situ and in-situ mesocosms. He/she will manipulate model organisms such as Gammarids (omnivores), Ephemeroptera larvae (burrower), and Odonate larvae (predators). He/she will use predictions from models for bioturbation, litter decomposition and predator-prey interactions to generate originate hypotheses.

Requested skills:
We seek for a highly motivated candidate with a Master degree in the field of ecology and environmental sciences. He/she will be invited to present the project in front of a PhD project selection committee. A 3-year PhD fellowship will be awarded to selected candidates.

Application procedure:
Interested candidates should contact Franck Gilbert (franck.gilbert@cict.fr; phone +33 (0)5 62 29 99 87) or Antoine Lecerf (lecerf@cict.fr; phone +33 (0)5 62 29 99 85) by the end of May 2010 at the latest.

Research Associate

We require a post doctoral Research Associate to continue a project on the welfare of commercially farmed ducks for one year from 1 March 2010. The major part of the work will involve evaluation of duck behaviour in duck-rearing facilities and measurements made in commercial duck housing. The Research Associate will be based at the Centre for Animal Welfare and Anthrozoology, Department of Veterinary Medicine with Professor D.M. Broom and colleagues.

Preference will be given to applicants who have been awarded or submitted their Ph.D. Applicants should have a driving licence as some travel will be necessary. The salary will be £27,183 to £35,469.

Further particulars are available at:_
http://www.vet.cam.ac.uk/news/_

Applicants should supply the following:

o Letter of application stating areas of interest
o Curriculum Vitae, with the names and contact details of three referees
o A completed application form PD18, (parts one and three only) available from the Melissa Large on 01223 337055 or from:
http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/hr/forms/pd18

Applications should be sent to Melissa Large, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ES as soon as possible. Applications can be made via email to_ recruit@vet.cam.ac.uk_ with the above documents as word attachments.

Offre de stage

THEME
LOGEMENT ALTERNATIF DES TRUIES ALLAITANTES EN BATIMENT: OPTIMISER LA SURFACE DES « COURETTES »

CONTEXTE
La nouvelle directive européenne impose la liberté des truies gestantes. Cette liberté de mouvement des animaux pourrait s’étendre aux maternités comme le souhaiteraient les pays d’Europe du Nord.
Les normes de bien-être animal en élevage porcin vont encore évoluer durant les années à venir. Elles concernent notamment le bien-être des truies et des porcelets en maternité : le type de sol, la liberté des truies pendant la phase d’allaitement. Dans le cadre de la rénovation des maternités des Trinottières, une réflexion est engagée depuis 2005 afin d’apporter des éléments de réponse sur les incidences des systèmes alternatifs en maternité en terme :
· de conditions de travail et d’organisation,
· de niveau d’investissements et de répercussions économiques,
· de performances zootechniques,
· de bien être des animaux

En 2006, nous avons réalisé une première phase expérimentale avec les enregistrements zootechniques et les observations comportementales des truies et de leurs portées. Avec une contention de 7 jours après la mise-bas, nous avons enregistré des performances zootechniques correctes (11,2 porcelets sevrés). Cependant, l’accès à la courette partagé entre 2 truies allaitantes a eu pour conséquence des poids de porcelets légèrement inférieurs au sevrage par rapport aux truies logées en courette individuelle.

En 2007, nous avons travaillé sur les conséquences du logement des truies allaitantes sur les performances des porcelets en post-sevrage. L’impact du logement est limité : sur les 2 premières semaines, les consommations des porcelets issus des truies logées en groupe sont favorisées. Globalement sur la phase de post-sevrage, les performances sont identiques.

Pour 2010, l’objectif est de répondre à la question suivante : est-il possible de réduire la surface de la courette (3,4 m²/truie) notamment pour les truies élevées en groupe de 2 tout en maintenant le confort des animaux ?

CONTENU DU STAGE

Sur 2 à 3 bandes de truies logées dans la maternité expérimentale,

- enregistrements des performances des truies et de leur portée (productivité numérique, poids des porcelets)
- observations directes (ou video) sur l’occupation de la case et les comportements des truies et de leur portée (allaitements…)

- traitement des données et interprétation des résultats

PERIODE ET LIEU DE STAGE

A partir du 03/05/2010 jusqu’au 31/08/2010
Ferme expérimentale des Trinottières, Montreuil sur Loir (49)
INDEMNITE DE STAGE : 417 € /mois
CONTACT : Aude DUBOIS - Tel 02.41.95.73.75 – Email : aude.dubois@pl.chambagri.fr

Plusieurs annonces de post doc et PhD en ligne

Plusieurs offres de thèses et de post-docs sont proposées sur le site de l'ISAE :
Faculty position: EEG measures of animal welfare. University of Maryland, US. Closes 5 Feb
PhD position: Canine positive affect. Royal Veterinary College, UK. Closes 12 Feb
PhD position: Ethical analysis of contemporary issues in veterinary and agricultural policy. Royal Veterinary College, UK. Closes 12 Feb
PhD position: Managing UK dairy calves for optimum health and survival. Royal Veterinary College, UK. Closes 12 Feb
Research position: Modelling ruminant feeding behaviour. INRA, Paris, France. Closes 26 Feb
Research positiona: 20 Experienced researcher permenant contract positions. Ikerbasque (Across the Basque Research Institution). Closes 31 Mar and 30 Sept
Site le l'ISAE : http://applied-ethology.org/employment.htm

Modélisation du comportement alimentaire du ruminant

Ouverture d'un poste de Chargé de Recherche (CR2) à l'UMR 791 MoSAR (Modelisation Systémique Appliquée aux Ruminants), anciennement UMR PNA (Physiologie de la Nutrition et Alimentation)
Nous recherchons quelqu'un ayant la capacité d'associer comportement animal et modélisation.

Contacter Jean-Baptiste Coulon

(Tel. : 04 73 62 41 12 ; E-mail : jean-baptiste.coulon@clermont.inra.fr)
Date limite pour les inscriptions : 26 février 2010
Informations (guides, dossiers d'inscription) disponibles sur le site Web de l'INRA http://www.inra.fr/les_hommes_et_les_femmes/l_inra_recrute_62_chercheurs