We are looking for a motivated person to work on the behavioural and physiological mechanisms of magnetic compass orientation and polarized light sensitivity in birds. The experimental part of the research will be carried out at Stensoffa Ecological Field Station outside of Lund, where we have built up state-of-the-art facilities to study magnetic orientation in migratory birds and spatial orientation by magnetic or polarized light cues in a model species (zebra finch). The successful candidate is expected to carry out and further develop behavioural experiments at the front line of the research field, and expand this research towards the integration of physiological and neurobiological approaches.
Office place will be located with the Lund Vision Group at the Department of Biology in Lund, where the successful candidate is expected to actively participate in the seminar activities at the department level, as well as in the Lund Vision Group, the Migration Ecology Group and in activities organized by the Linné Center of Animal Movement Research (CAnMove).
The candidate must have been awarded a Ph.D. degree, providing experience in one of the following research areas: behavioural neuroscience, animal spatial cognition, animal orientation and navigation, sensory biology and/or behavioural ecology. The main criterion for assessment will be well-documented research skills and expertise in one or several of these areas. Experience with handling and house-keeping birds is an advantage, but not necessary. A driver’s license and the willingness to acquire a car is necessary.
The application must include
* A complete and signed CV and a copy of the Ph.D. degree transcript
* A list of publications (with DOI links where possible)
* Two letters of reference
Please use the online application system at: http://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/o.o.i.s?id=24914&Dnr=372137&Type=EU
Review of applications will start 10 January 2011, until a suitable candidate is found.
For information on the position, please contact Dr. Rachel Muheim (tel. +46 46 222 31 93 or e-mail Rachel.Muheim@zooekol.lu.se; homepage: http://orn-lab.ekol.lu.se/~rachel)
Lund University is one of Europe’s foremost universities and Sweden’s strongest for research. Here, tradition combines with dynamic development and cutting edge qualifications. Our extensive activities cover education, research and innovation in the areas of technology, science, law, social sciences, economics, medicine, humanities, theology, art, music and theatre. 46,000 students study at the university, which has 6,000 employees, mainly in Lund, Malmö and Helsingborg. The university is an elected member of two prominent international networks, the League of European Research Universities (LERU) and Universitas 21; it is one of nine higher education institutions within the Öresund University. We have agreements with over 600 partner universities in about fifty countries around the world.
At the Faculty of Science, research and education is carried out in the fields of mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, computer science, earth sciences and environmental sciences. The Faculty is home to 9 Departments, gathered in the north of the University campus. Around 1,700 undergraduate students, 440 PhD students and 800 employees are active within the Faculty.
Type of employment: Limit of tenure, one year
Extent: 100%
Location: Department of Biology, Lund
First day of employment: As soon as possible
Official Records Number: NPA 2010/491