PhD in Molecular Ecology

PhD in Molecular Ecology: Plant secondary metabolite detoxification by a root herbivore and consequences for tritrophic interactions, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Allemagne

Research background and questions

Specialized root-feeding insects have a strong impact in ecosystem dynamics, plant fitness and crop yield. One major reason why certain root herbivores have become so abundant may be the strong adaptation to their host plants, including a high capacity to overcome root defenses. Yet, the exact strategies that root herbivores employ to become so successful are largely unknown.

One of the best characterized root feeders is Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, a major crop pest in the USA, which has recently been introduced in Europe. The remarkable ecological success of the root herbivore has puzzled scientists until today. One of the reasons why D. virgifera larvae colonizes maize plants so easily is its capacity to tolerate and hijack benzoxazinoid derivatives, a major class of key resistance factors of grasses against insects.

The aim of this PhD will be to investigate the interactions between the root herbivore and the plant from single genes to ecological interactions. The main questions that will be tackled are:

I. What are the typical BXD profiles that D. virgifera encounters in the roots?

II. How does D. virgifera tolerate BXDs?

III. What is the impact of BXDs on natural enemies of D. virgifera?

Selected publications

Robert et al (2012). A Specialist Root Herbivore Hijacks Defensive Metabolites to Locate Nutritious Tissues. Ecology Letters 15(1): 55-64.

Lundgren et al (2009). A multifaceted hemolymph defense against predation in Diabrotica virgifera virgifera larvae. Biocontrol Science and Technology 19(7-8):871-880.

The Institute

The mission of the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology of Jena (Germany) (MPI-CE, http://www/ext/institute.html) is to examine the role of chemical signals that mediate the interactions between plants, animals and their environment. The five departments of the MPI-CE cover a broad range of complementary working areas in chemical ecology, including Bioorganic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Ecology, Evolutionary Neuroethology, and Entomology. Two independent research groups support the scientists with outstanding and state-of-the-art analytical skills and equipment. Due to its unique combination of disciplines, the MPI-CE is world renowned and has contributed numerous important breakthroughs in plant-insect interactions over the last years.

Research group

The research will be conducted in Root-Herbivore Interactions group, lead by Dr. Matthias Erb in the Department of Biochemistry of Prof. Jonathan Gershenzon. The Biochemistry Department has considerable expertise in the biochemistry and molecular biology of herbivore detoxification processes. The department produced more than 200 publications until now, including a series of important papers on the detoxification of plant secondary metabolites by insects. Within the department of Biochemistry, the Root-Herbivore Interactions group focuses on factors mediating root-herbivore interactions. The group is dynamic and offers an outstanding environment to develop research skills and scientific networks.

Language

The working language at the MPI-CE is English. German courses can also be provided for interested workers. Furthermore, as people working at the MPI come from all around the world, it is not rare to hear French, Spanish, Russian and even Chinese and Japanese around.

Requirements

Applicants should have a master degree in a relevant discipline (ie. Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Ecology or Ethology), a strong interest in interdisciplinary work and be fluent in English.

Application

Please send your CV, a cover letter as well as a short proposal describing how the candidate would tackle the 3 main questions of the PhD to Dr. Christelle A.M. Robert (address below). It is also possible to add some questions that might be of interest in that context.

Dr. Christelle A.M. Robert,

Dept. of Biochemistry,

Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology,

Hans-Knoell Str. 8

07745 Jena

Germany

http://ice.mpg.de/ext/hopa.html?pers=chro5300&d=ger

Tel. +49 3641 57 1334

crobert@ice.mpg.de

Postdoctoral position in the Visual Perception of Gaze at University of Sydney, Australia, Fin : 15 avr. 2012

A position is now available for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to investigate gaze perception and adaptation as part of a scientific team based within the School of Psychology at the University of Sydney. The position is funded by a Discovery Project from the Australian Research Council (ARC) awarded to Professor Colin Clifford in collaboration with Dr Andy Calder from the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge, UK.

Full details can be found by copying and pasting the following into your web browser

2 PhD studentships in cognitive neuroscience, Humboldt-University Berlin, Allemagne, Fin : 30 avr. 2012

2 PhD studentships in cognitive neuroscience at the Humboldt-University Berlin, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences II, Department of Psychology

Applications are invited for 2 PhD studentships at Humboldt-University Berlin, Department of Psychology, Prof. Dr. Elke van der Meer under the supervision of Dr. André Knops. Studentships will be paid according to TV-L HU 13 (65%; approx. 1250,-€/month after tax, health & social insurance included) for the period of three years. The start date would be June 1, 2012.

The Emmy Noether research group “The impact of the approximate number system on the spatial system and mental calculation” is funded by the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, DFG) and the research would involve planning, execution and analysis of behavioral and neuro-functional (fMRI) studies on mental arithmetic, visual attention and (visual) working memory. The work will combine psychophysics, standard (i.e. GLM) and advanced brain imaging analysis methods (i.e. machine learning, functional connectivity).

Applicants should have a first-class degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. psychology, (cognitive) neuroscience, cognitive sciences) and a strong interest in linking mind and brain. Knowledge or experience in conducting and analyzing neuroimaging studies and is highly desirable. The PhD work would require programming skills (e.g. in Matlab, Python).

Applicants are invited to apply by e-mail to knops.andre [ à ] gmail.com before April 30, 2012 attaching both a CV and a supplementary personal statement explaining why they wish to apply for this studentship. The CV must state the degree class achieved. The CV should also include the name and contacts for two academic references, who may be approached at the interview stage.

For further information please contact André Knops (knops.andre [ à ] gmail.com). Feel free to forward this message to anyone who might be interested in applying for one of the positions.

André Knops

Post-Doctoral Fellow

Neurological Clinic - Section Neuropsychology

University Hospital Aachen

Pauwelsstr. 30

52074 Aachen

Phone: +49 241 80 80855

Postdoctoral research position on wolf-moose ecology in Sweden

Type of employment: temporary (1 year with one possible renewal), full time (100%)

Location: Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, 73091 Riddarhyttan, Sweden

Starting date: as soon as a suitable candidate is found

The Scandinavian Wolf Project and the Grimsö Wildlife Research Station at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) are seeking a postdoctoral scientist to conduct research examining whether re-colonizing wolves change the behavior of their main prey species – the moose.

Project overview

Assessments of the impact of predators on prey are often limited to estimating the direct rate of predation and ignore risk effects, i.e. anti-predator behavioral responses such as vigilance, habitat selection, activity patterns, grouping behavior, which may ultimately affect the physiology and demography of prey. The postdoctoral scientist will test the possible existence of risk effects of re-colonizing wolves on moose by analyzing long-term field data collected by the Scandinavian Wolf Project.

The project uses both an experimental design and a descriptive study focusing on behavior, resource utilization, and demography of moose in response to wolf presence. Data includes GPS-data from collared moose and wolves, GIS-data on habitat variables, reproductive and survival data from collared moose, as well as data from aerial censuses and long term pellet group counts of the moose population. The postdoctoral scientist will be responsible for compiling and analyzing these data and preparing peer-reviewed

publications. This research project has a good potential through data made available from long-term studies performed on both species.

Requirements

The postdoctoral scientist should have a Ph.D. in wildlife ecology, population dynamics, quantitative modeling of ecological processes or a closely related field. Proficiency with quantitative ecology methods and statistical modeling is desirable. Familiarity with quantitative analyses of habitat selection using GIS-data and/or analyses of survival of radio-marked individuals would be an asset. Experience with and/or interest in wildlife

ecology is desirable but not required. The postdoctoral scientist should be able to work Grimsö Wildlife Research Station independently, but also cooperatively with other researchers. Please note that this position is not opened to Swedish citizens.

Position details

The position is available immediately and funded for one year (12 months) through a donation from the private Carl Tryggers Foundation which includes a monthly income of 20 000 SEK after tax (2200 EUR / 3000 USD). Depending on a favorable decision from the financing foundation, this position may be extended for one more year. The position is located in Grimsö Wildlife Research Station – a research unit from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences – which specialized on predators, ungulates and their interactions

with ecosystems and people.

Application

Applications (including cover letter, resume, publication list and references) must be submitted by email to Dr. Håkan Sand (hakan.sand@slu.se) and Dr. Johan Månsson (johan.mansson@slu.se) who should also be contacted for any questions regarding the position.

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Postdoctoral positions in frog vocalizations, University of Utah

A postdoctoral position is available at the University of Utah to perform electrophysiological experiments to understand neural mechanisms underlying vocal rhythm generation in African clawed frogs. A background in cellular electrophysiology is required. In addition to receiving a strong training in cellular and systems neuroscience, the collaborative nature of the research program provides an opportunity to pursue various directions of research including computational neuroscience, optical imaging, and molecular neuroscience. Please send CV and a list of references to:

Ayako Yamaguchi

Assistant Professor

a.yamaguchi@utah.edu

http://www.biology.utah.edu/people/details.php?id=1727

PhD student - Animal Behaviour/Animal Cognition: Perceptual learning biases in birds

Institute of Biology Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands

The Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL) is an international institute for research and education in biology and is part of the Faculty of Science at Leiden University. Our main targets are to perform top quality research, to gain a prominent national and international visibility in both science and society and to maintain outstanding BSc and MSc teaching programs in close relationship to current investigations. One of the research groups is the Behavioural Biology group, which examines many aspects of animal behaviour, in particular in relation to communication and animal cognition. Acoustic and visual signals, in particular those of birds and fish, but also humans and other animals, are important model systems. The PhD student will be based in this group.

Your profile

You will be one of three PhD students in a multidisciplinary team that will do a large scale comparative study on the mechanisms involved in learning about vocal structures in human infants and songbirds (zebra finches). The study is funded by NWO-GW. Together, the three PhD-projects will test how factors such as perceptual biases, computational constraints, memory limitations, etc. influence vocal learning. They will provide insight into whether the mechanisms implied in language learning are linked to more general cognitive mechanisms that may also be present in non-human animals. In this specific PhD-project you will examine the perceptual learning biases in zebra finches by carefully constructed experiments using Go-NoGo, habituation or other experimental procedures. You will address the question what types of patterns the birds are able to detect and whether they can learn and generalize the detected patterns to novel sounds. This project runs parallel to a linguistic one addressing the same questions for human infants and a third one in which computational models are developed to model the processes that may give rise to the observed patterns in birds and infants.

Requirements

The candidate should have a Master’s degree in biology, or a BSc in biology with an MSc in cognitive neuroscience or equivalent and have a strong interest in interdisciplinary work. You should preferably have experience in research on animal cognition, animal behaviour or cognitive neuroscience. You must be proficient in spoken and written English, have good communication skills and a strong interest in a scientific career.

Organization

The PhD student will join the group of professor Dr Carel ten Cate (Behavioural Biology) at the Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL) at Leiden University. The student will be collaborating closely with the other participants in the project, from the Leiden University Center for Linguistics (LUCL) (Dr. Claartje Levelt), the Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC) and the Institute for Logic, Language and Computation (ILLC) (Dr Willem Zuidema) at the University of Amsterdam.

We offer

We offer a vibrant environment to develop on-the-job skills and networks that a successful academic needs.

The appointment will be according to the terms of the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO Nederlandse Universiteiten), for a period of one year with an extension of three years after positive evaluation of capacities and compatibility. Ultimately, the appointment must lead to a completion of a PhD thesis. During your appointment you will be supervised by Carel ten Cate, who will also be your promotor.

The gross monthly salary is set on € 2.042,- in the first year up to € 2612,- in year four. An appointment with Leiden University includes a pension build-up and facilitates other benefits such as an annual holiday premium of 8% and an end-of-year premium of 8.3%.

All our PhD students are embedded in the Leiden University Graduate School of Science www.graduateschools.leidenuniv.nl This school offers several PhD training courses at three levels: professional courses, skills training and personal effectiveness with in addition, advanced courses to deepen scientific knowledge.

Further information and applications

For a description of the project or other information contact Carel ten Cate

Institute of Biology, Leiden University, The Netherlands

Tel.: (+31)071-527 5040; E-Mail: c.j.ten.cate@biology.leidenuniv.nl

URL: http://www.science.leidenuniv.nl/index.php/ibl/bb/people

Additionally, you can visit the websites of the Faculty of Science and the IBL: www.science.leidenuniv.nl and http://www.science.leidenuniv.nl/index.php/ibl. More information on employment at Leiden University can be found at: www.leiden.edu.

Do you identify with the profile above and do you aspire to have a career in research? Please apply by emailing your application before April 15th using the vacancy number, including full Curriculum Vitae and the names and phone numbers of two references to:

Stefanie Klompenhouwer, s.g.klompenhouwer@biology.leidenuniv.nl

Primate Research Intern

Hiring Organization:

Zoo Atlanta

Date Posted:

2012-03-23

Position Description:

A one year internship to assist with on-going behavioral and cognitive studies of gorillas and orangutans at Zoo Atlanta (visit www.zooatlanta.org for more information on the zoo's ape collection and research activities). Behavioral study topics include general social dynamics, behavior of bachelor groups of gorillas, and infant development and maternal behavior. Cognitive studies focus on social learning and cognition. Job responsibilities include: daily behavioral observations and cognitive testing sessions, data entry and management, publication preparation, public lectures, assisting with ape husbandry routine, and undergraduate research supervision. Opportunities to conduct independent research available. Position also includes assistance with management of the long-term databases held by The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.

The position is for 40 hours per week with availability to work on weekends.

Qualifications/Experience:

BA in psychology, biology, zoology 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.

Position limited to US nationals unless already in the United States with a working visa.

Salary/funding:

Stipend of $500/month

Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):

NA

Term of Appointment:

June 2012 for 1 year

Application Deadline:

April 20th

Comments:

Interested candidates should send a CV (including at least 3 references) and cover letter to Dr. Tara Stoinski at 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

*PAID* Research Assistant - Genetics of Social Behaviour in the Cayo Santiago Rhesus Macaques

Hiring Organization:

Duke University

Date Posted:

2012-03-23

Position Description:

We are currently seeking two conscientious and highly motivated research assistants to collect behavioural data on rhesus macaques living in the free-ranging colony of Cayo Santiago, Puerto Rico. This projects aims to uncover the genetic basis of social behaviour and social cognition in a highly gregarious species of nonhuman primate. This is a multi-disciplinary project involving many investigators and institutions (Duke University, Yale University, and the University of Puerto Rico). Behavioural data collected will be analysed alongside extensive functional genetic information generated at Duke University.

Research Assistants will live in Puerto Rico and will travel to Cayo Santiago (5 mins from the mainland by boat) on a daily basis. Assistants will collect behavioural data using a pre-established ethogram on a large number of adult males and females (upwards of 100 animals). They will also be responsible for uploading and managing their data on a weekly basis. Research assistants will also assist with the annual capturing season (November – January), during which blood for DNA samples are collected and DNA is isolated. Research assistants will therefore be fully trained in genetic laboratory work, and in the handling of anesthetized animals.

Assistants will not be allowed to collect data for publication independent of the funded research project – e.g. for their own theses. However, we encourage assistants to work with us co-authoring papers based on or stemming from the data they assist in collecting. This is therefore an excellent position for anyone interested in pursuing a graduate degree.

This is an NIH-funded position. Applicants must therefore be available/willing to commit to a one-year contract to be considered eligible to apply.

Qualifications/Experience:

Applicants should have an Undergraduate/Masters degree in biology, anthropology, zoology or a related discipline. Applicants should be fluent in English (fluency in Spanish is also helpful, but not a requirement). Previous experience collecting behavioural data on primates and/or other animals is ideal, but not required. Previous laboratory experience is also helpful, but not necessary. Applicants should be in good physical health, feel comfortable living at the field site/in Puerto Rico, should work well with others, and generally be energetic, responsible and have a keen interest in primate behaviour/sociobiology. Field work can be tiring, frustrating, and is both physically and mentally challenging. Applicants should be prepared to approach these challenges with enthusiasm and a positive attitude.

Salary/funding:

Research assistants will be paid the standard salary that has been pro-rated by the NIH (~$20,000/year, subject to change). Assistants will be employees of Duke University and will receive any benefits associated with a position of this type. Funding exists for a total of 5 years, and thus there may be the option for contract renewal following the 1st year, depending upon performance. Positions are contingent upon final approval of funding.

Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):

As a salary will be provided, we will not provide funding for accommodation/travel/living expenses. Applicants may be required to travel to Duke University (Durham, North Carolina, USA) to sign the initial contract – in which case, travel expenses to Duke may be covered.

Term of Appointment:

Applicants must be willing/able to commit to a 1-year contract to be considered eligible. We anticipate positions will commence as early as May 1st, 2012, dependent upon the date of final approval of funding.

Application Deadline:

We are currently receiving applications and will continue to do so until the positions are filed.

Comments:

Please send an email to Lauren Brent (lauren.brent@duke.edu). Include in ONE file (.pdf or .doc):

1. A letter of interest. Please state why you are interested in this position and what qualifications you possess that make you particularly well suited to it.

2. Your CV. Include all relevant field courses, coursework, and field experience.

3. The contact information (including email addresses) for three people able to comment on your past experience, skills and training. Reference letters are not required with applications – referees will only be contacted for the top-candidates, following an initial screening process.

Contact Information:

Lauren Brent, PhD

Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, Center for Cognitive Neuroscience

Durham, NC

USA

Website:

http://www.duke.edu/~lb143/

E-mail Address:

lauren.brent@duke.edu

Thèse financée au MNHN, Origine et maintien de la variation adaptative dans un environnement hétérogène.

Nous disposons d’un financement du LABEX BCDiv pour une thèse au Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle (Paris) sur le thème « Origine et maintien de la variation adaptative dans un environnement hétérogène ». Cette thèse sera dirigée par Violaine Llaurens (CR2 CNRS au laboratoire Origine, Structure et Evolution de la Biodiversité, UMR 7205) et Marc Théry (CR1 CNRS au laboratoire Mécanismes Adaptatifs : des Organismes aux Communautés, UMR 7179).

Nous recherchons un(e) étudiant(e) dynamique et motivé(e) pour effectuer cette thèse, qui débutera le 1er octobre 2012. Cette thèse est financée par un contrat à durée déterminée de 3 ans avec le CNRS, avec une allocation de 21,000 € brut par an.

Les étudiants sélectionnés seront auditionnés début mai 2012. Si vous souhaitez postuler, merci de nous envoyer les documents suivants avant le 18 avril 2012 par courriel (llaurens@mnhn.fr and thery@mnhn.fr)

- Un CV détaillé, précisant les stages effectués et les notes/classements obtenus en M1 (et M2 si déjà disponible),

- Une lettre de motivation, en précisant notamment en quoi votre profil est en adéquation avec ce projet de thèse,

- Deux lettres de recommandation confidentielles à nous adresser directement par courriel.

Résumé du projet de thèse :

Comprendre l’origine et le maintien de la diversité intra et interspécifique reste une question centrale de la biologie évolutive. Les relations de dominance (génétique) entre les variants possibles dans une population jouent un rôle clé dans le succès d'établissement de nouveaux caractères adaptatifs.

Ce sujet de thèse est centré autour de la question de la distribution de la variation morphologique dans le cas des motifs mimétiques chez les papillons tropicaux Heliconius. Chez ces papillons, de nombreuses espèces montrent une ressemblance mutuelle, adaptative. Cette convergence d'apparence, appelée mimétisme, leur permet d'afficher par un même signal leur goût désagréable aux prédateurs. Plusieurs groupes de mimétisme distincts coexistent dans un habitat donné, et certaines espèces, polymorphes, sont impliquées dans plusieurs groupes de mimétisme. Ces espèces polymorphes constituent un modèle de choix pour comprendre comment les nouveaux caractères adaptatifs s'établissent et sont favorisés par la sélection.

En particulier, le degré de dominance module l'expression des différents variants, et donc leur ressemblance à l'un ou l'autre des motifs mimétiques possibles. Le maintien de nouveaux variants dépend donc à la fois de leur niveau de dominance et des capacités de discrimination des prédateurs. Nous proposons donc d'étudier conjointement comment la variation est contrôlée génétiquement chez l’espèce polymorphe Heliconius numata, et comment les prédateurs perçoivent cette variation.

Quelques publications des deux encadrants en lien avec ce projet de thèse:

- Théry M., Gomez D. 2010 Insect colors and visual appearance in the eyes of their predators. Advances in Insect Physiology, 38: 267-353.

- Gomez D., Richardson C., Lengagne T., Plenet S., Joly P., Léna J.-P., Théry M. 2009 The role of nocturnal vision in mate choice: females prefer conspicuous males in the European tree frog (Hyla arborea). Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 276: 2351-2358.

- Llaurens V., Billiard S., Castric V., Vekemans X., 2009. Evolution of dominance in sporophytic self-incompatibility systems: I. Genetic load and co-evolution of levels of dominance in pollen and pistil. Evolution, 63: 2427-2437.

- Llaurens V., Leducq J.-B., Billiard S., Castric V., Klein E.K., Vekemans X., 2008. Does frequency-dependent selection with complex dominance interactions accurately predict allelic frequencies at the self-incompatibility locus in Arabidopsis halleri? Evolution, 62: 2545-2557.

Pages WEB :

http://www.mnhn.fr/oseb/Nouvelle-traduction-Violaine

http://www.mabiodiv.cnrs.fr/RubriquesEnFrancais/FichiersIndividuelles/Thery.html

Violaine Llaurens (CR2 CNRS)

Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle

Laboratoire OSEB – UMR7205

Batiment d’entomologie – CP50

45, rue Buffon

75005 PARIS

France

Phone : 00 33 (0)1 40 79 38 61

Fax : 00 33 (0)1 40 79 33 42

WebPage: http://www.mnhn.fr/oseb/Nouvelle-traduction-Violaine

Animal Behavioral Management Specialist, Lead

Hiring Organization:
Emory University; Yerkes National Primate Research Center

Date Posted:
2012-03-19

Position Description:
Participates in an integrated program of animal care and environmental enrichment with enrichment, animal care, and veterinary staff members. Responsible for ordering supplies needed for enrichment program. Organizes and performs technical duties, such as the preparation, maintenance and distribution of enrichment materials, devices and equipment. Oversees and performs assembly, repair, and distribution of foraging devices, puzzles, and other objects for animals to eat, manipulate and explore. Maintains inventory of supplies. Designs, develops and tests enrichment techniques, new ideas for enhancing captive environments, and interventions in terms of practicality, use by animals, and efficacy for improving behavior. Designs, develops and tests enrichment techniques, new ideas for enhancing captive environments, and interventions in terms of practicality, use by animals, and efficacy for improving behavior. Determines potential nonhuman primate social partners, completes social introductions, monitors progress and makes decisions about outcomes of introductions. Monitors social interactions of group-living nonhuman primates. Designs, develops and implements specific animal training procedures that employ behavioral modification techniques. Identifies animals that are in need of specialized therapy for observed behavioral problems. Coordinates documentation of enrichment procedures and generates written and numeric progress reports on the behavioral management program. Assists in conducting behavioral research that evaluates environmental enrichment. Collects observational data for enrichment studies. Assists in planning and scheduling research procedures. Records results of studies, compiles and analyzes data, and prepares charts and graphs. Uses independent judgment in applying or adapting scientific techniques. May assist in research protocol design. Demonstrates and trains others in proper research techniques and use of equipment. Troubleshoots and performs routine repair and maintenance of equipment. Reviews literature for related research developments and techniques and compiles findings. Indoor and outdoor work environment, exposure to biohazards and potentially dangerous animals. Employees in this classification may be required to work with, take specific precautions against and/or be immunized against potentially hazardous agents.

Qualifications/Experience:
Bachelor's degree in relevant field such as Biology, Psychology, Zoology, Anthropology, or Wildlife Management. At least two years experience in enrichment and/or behavioral research. Strong oral and written communication skills. Ability to work independently as well as in collaboration with a wide variety of personnel. Excellent time management and organizational skills. Must gain or attempt to gain LAT Certification through AALAS within one year of beginning this position. The ability to lift up to 45 pounds.

Salary/funding:
Minimum starting salary $34,100.00

Application Deadline:
April 2, 2012

Comments:
Please apply at the Emory Careers Website (http://www.hr.emory.edu/careers/index.html). Reference position 26946BR

Contact Information:
Jaine Perlman
954 Gatewood Road
Atlanta, GA 30030
USA

Website:
http://www.yerkes.emory.edu/

E-mail Address:
jeperlm@emory.edu

Offre de thèse

*** PHD STUDENTSHIP AVAILABLE TO START IN OCTOBER 2012 ***

*** COMMUNICATION AND COGNITION IN WILD JACKDAWS ***

Supervisor: Alex Thornton

University of Exeter, Centre for Ecology & Conservation, Cornwall

This project will use observations, playback experiments and acoustic analyses to investigate the development and function of vocal communication, and explore the cognitive challenges of social life in a large-brained bird, the jackdaw. The student will join the dynamic Centre for Ecology & Conservation at the University of Exeter's Cornwall campus and conduct fieldwork on wild jackdaws in the beautiful Cornish countryside.

Corvids (members of the crow family) are renowned for their cognitive sophistication, but the selective pressures driving corvid cognitive evolution are not understood. This project will explore an important potential driving force, the need to navigate the challenges of life in complex and dynamic societies. Working with a nest-box population of wild jackdaws, the project will examine how jackdaws' communicative abilities develop and investigate the socio-cognitive skills involved in recognising group members and tracking the relationships between them.

The candidate will join a growing research group working on the evolution and development of cognition and culture and will be supervised by Dr Alex Thornton, a specialist in behaviour and cognition in wild animals. Please note that Alex Thornton is currently based in Cambridge but will be relocating to the CEC in September 2012.

For more information on the research group see: www.wildcognitionresearch.com

Informal enquiries can be addressed to Dr Alex Thornton: jant2@cam.ac.uk

To apply, visit: http://www.exeter.ac.uk/studying/funding/award/?id=968

--

www.wildcognitionresearch.com

Dr Alex Thornton

BBSRC David Phillips Research Fellow

PhD au Muséum d'Histoire naturelle

La liste des sujets de thèse ouverts à concours cette année au Muséum est disponible à l'adresse suivante:

http://www.mnhn.fr/museum/foffice/science/science/Enseignement/ecoleDoctorale/somthese.xsp

Il y a des thèmatiques qui peuvent intéressés les étudiants de M2 ayant une formation en éthologie

Collaborateur/collaboratrice scientifique // Wissenschaftliche/r Mitarbeiter/in

Agroscope Liebefeld Posieux ALP-Haras est une station de recherche innovante et gérée selon les principes de la nouvelle gestion publique. Elle fait partie de la Confédération suisse et est rattachée à l'Office fédéral de l'agriculture (OFAG). Ses activités sont réparties sur trois sites: Avenches, Liebefeld-Berne et Posieux. Le groupe de recherche EquiTeach du Haras national cherche pour son site d'Avenches un/e collaborateur/collaboratrice scientifique intéressé/e par l'éthologie, la didactique et possédant une expérience dans ces domaines.

Collaborateur/collaboratrice scientifique

Le groupe EquiTeach est responsable de l'offre de formation du Haras national ainsi que des travaux de recherche en matière de comportement et de détention du cheval. En votre qualité de collaborateur/collaboratrice scientifique, vous apportez un soutien technique sur le plan de l'enseignement. Vous aidez à préparer/coordonner des cours et gérez des tâches administratives. De plus, vous assurez de façon autonome quelques unités d'enseignement et apportez des conseils professionnels et vulgarisés tirés de la pratique. La collaboration à la communication interne et externe fait également partie de vos tâches.

En intégrant le groupe de recherche EquiTeach, vous participez à la réalisation d'essais dans les domaines de l'éthologie appliquée, de la détention chevaline, du comportement d'apprentissage, du bien-être et de la protection des animaux. Vous vous impliquez dans l'élaboration de concepts d'essais, dans le relevé de données ainsi que dans l'évaluation et la rédaction de rapports scientifiques.

Pour accomplir ces tâches variées, vous devez être titulaire d'un diplôme (université/EPF/HES) en agronomie, en sciences équines, en biologie ou d'un titre équivalent. Vous disposez de bonnes connaissances dans le domaine équin/agricole; vous aimez la recherche éthologique et possédez de l'expérience. L'enseignement vous intéresse et vous souhaitez utiliser vos compétences didactiques et méthodologiques. Le sens des responsabilités, l'organisation, la précision et la flexibilité complètent votre profil. Vous axez toujours votre travail sur les objectifs, que vous travailliez seul/e ou en équipe. La maîtrise d'une de nos langues officielles à l'écrit (deux à l'oral) est requise. De bonnes connaissances d'anglais sont un atout.

Nous vous offrons une activité intéressante au sein d'une équipe dynamique, des conditions de travail modernes et de bonnes prestations sociales. Ce poste est limité au 31 décembre 2013. Il est idéal pour un/e jeune diplômé/e.

Lieu de travail: Avenches Taux d'occupation: 80-100%

Département fédéral de l'économie

DFE

Station de recherche

Agroscope Liebefeld-Posieux

ALP-Haras

Veuillez envoyer votre dossier de candidature d'ici au 3 avril 2012 à l'adresse suivante:

Station de recherche Agroscope

Liebefeld-Posieux ALP-Haras,

Ressources humaines, Tioleyre 4,

case postale 64, 1725 Posieux,

tél. 026 407 72 51; courriel: sylviane.zbinden@alp.admin.ch.

Pour de plus amples renseignements, veuillez vous adresser directement au Dr Iris Bachmann, tél. 026 676 62 03 (iris.bachmann@haras.admin.ch).

Ref. Code: 7190

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Die Forschungsanstalt Agroscope Liebefeld Posieux ALP-Haras ist ein innovatives, nach den Grundsätzen des New Public Management geführtes Forschungsinstitut. Sie gehört zur Schweizerischen Eidgenossenschaft und ist dem Bundesamt für Landwirtschaft (BLW) angeschlossen. Sie übt ihre Tätigkeiten an drei Standorten aus: Avenches, Liebefeld und Posieux. Für unseren Standort in Avenches sucht die Forschungsgruppe EquiTeach des Nationalgestüts eine/n wissenschaftliche/n Mitarbeiter/in mit Interesse und Erfahrung in Ethologie und Didaktik.

Wissenschaftliche/r Mitarbeiter/in

Die Gruppe EquiTeach ist verantwortlich für das Ausbildungsangebot des Nationalgestüts sowie für Forschungsarbeiten im Bereich Pferdeverhalten und Pferdehaltung. Als Mitarbeiter/in unterstützen Sie den Bereich Kurswesen fachlich, helfen bei der Vorbereitung und Koordination von Lehrveranstaltungen, übernehmen administrative Arbeiten und führen selbstständig einzelne Unterrichtseinheiten durch. Sie bearbeiten zugewiesene Beratungsfälle aus der Praxis und arbeiten in der internen und externen Kommunikation mit.

Sie sind Teil der Forschungsgruppe EquiTeach und arbeiten bei der Durchführung von Versuchen im Bereich angewandte Ethologie, Pferdehaltung, Lernverhalten, Wohlbefinden und Tierschutz mit. Sie engagieren sich bei der Erstellung von Versuchskonzepten, bei der Datenerhebung, bei der Auswertung und dem Verfassen von wissenschaftlichen Berichten. Für diese abwechslungsreichen Aufgaben benötigen Sie ein abgeschlossenes Studium Uni/ETH/FH in Agronomie, Pferdewissenschaften, Biologie oder einen gleichwertigen Abschluss. Sie verfügen über gute Kenntnisse im Pferdebereich und in der Landwirtschaft sowie über Erfahrung in und Freude an ethologischer Forschungsarbeit. Zudem werden Motivation für die Lehre sowie didaktisch/methodische Kompetenzen vorausgesetzt.

Sie sind verantwortungsbewusst, exakt, flexibel und gut organisiert. Selbstständig oder im Team arbeiten Sie stets zielorientiert. Sie beherrschen mindestens eine Amtssprache schriftlich und beide Amtssprachen mündlich und verfügen über gute Kenntnisse der englischen Sprache.

Wir bieten Ihnen eine interessante Tätigkeit in einem dynamischen Team, fortschrittliche Arbeitsbedingungen sowie gute Sozialleistungen. Diese Stelle ist auf den 31.12.2013 befristet und ideal für eine/n Studienabgänger/in. Arbeitsort: Avenches Beschäftigungsgrad: 80-100%

Eidgenössisches Volkswirtschaftsdepartement

EVD

Forschungsanstalt

Agroscope Liebefeld-Posieux

ALP-Haras

Ihre Bewerbungsunterlagen senden Sie bitte bis am 3. April 2012 an die untenstehende Adresse:

Forschungsanstalt Agroscope

Liebefeld-Posieux ALP-Haras,

Human Resources, Tioleyre 4,

Postfach 64, 1725 Posieux,

Tel. 026 407 72 51; E-Mail: sylviane.zbinden@alp.admin.ch

Für weitere Auskünfte können Sie sich direkt an Frau Dr. Iris Bachmann, Tel. 026 676 62 03, wenden (iris.bachmann@haras.admin.ch).

Field Research Assistant - Burkina Faso, West Africa

Hiring Organization:

Oxford Brookes University

Date Posted:

2012-03-11

Position Description:

We are seeking field research assistants for a short-term project in Burkina Faso, West Africa assessing the presence/absence of primates in the area through interviews and transect surveys. The project runs from May 11 through July 18. We will consider volunteers for any time frame or length within the study period, with a minimum of two weeks.

Duties will include: walking line transects (up to 10 km per day) with great attention to detail; proper use of transect equipment (e.g. compass, GPS, walkie-talkies, range finders); data collection and entry (by hand and electronically); nocturnal surveys; and recording and transcribing interviews.

Burkina Faso is very hot, ranging between 61 and 104 deg. Fahrenheit (16-40C), with an average of 84F/29C. There is no field site established, so conditions will be uncomfortable, hot, bug-ridden, and very basic.

Qualifications/Experience:

We require individuals with: a great passion for field research/conservation; the ability to work independently and responsibly; respect for other people and cultures; experience in rustic outdoor living experiences; physically fit and able to endure long bouts of hiking and bicycling; an excellent attitude.

Accommodation will alternate between basic hotels/hostels and camping, so please only apply if you already know that you are comfortable in very basic living conditions.

English required; English/French preferred.

Salary/funding:

This an entirely volunteer position, with no salary and likely no funding. Successful applicants are expected to purchase travel visas (soon - $100 for US citizens), return flights, travel insurance, all in-country living costs, and have all of the necessary backpacking materials including their own tent. We can discuss specific amounts with those interested.

Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):

We will provide ground transport costs, the costs of local guides, and the necessary training. We may be able to help with lodging and meals, pending grant approvals.

Term of Appointment:

May 11 - July 18 (TBD, minimum of two weeks)

Application Deadline:

Ongoing

Comments:

Please feel free to email for more details. Applicants should send their CV to the email address below, along with an explanation of why you are qualified and interested.

Contact Information:

Laura Ginn

Oxford OX3 0FN

United Kingdom

E-mail Address:

laura.ginn-2011@brookes.ac.uk

Field research manager at Gunung Palung National Park, West Kalimantan, Indonesia

Hiring Organization:

University of California

Date Posted:

2012-03-10

Position Description:

Position:

Field manager for long-term field research project on the ecology of gibbon and leaf monkey populations in Gunung Palung National Park, West Kalimantan, Indonesia

Project and study site:

The gibbon and leaf monkey population ecology research project examines how various aspects of the ecology of tropical forests affect the vertebrate populations that inhabit them, with special attention paid to the two target primate taxa. Since 2007, the project team has been monitoring more than 6,000 plant stems and populations of all large vertebrates across a natural gradient of seven distinct tropical forest types and applying these data to a range of theoretical and applied questions in tropical ecology and conservation biology. The project is run by Dr. Andy Marshall, a professor at the University of California, Davis, USA.

The Cabang Panti Research Station is located in Gunung Palung National Park. The station is quite remote, reached by a walk of 4–6 hours through the forest or a 12+ hour boat ride. The research camp is located in pristine, lowland Dipterocarp rainforest; the camp buildings are rustic and living conditions are simple but comfortable.

Primary responsibilities:

1. Overseeing and participating in collection of long-term data. Data collection includes monitoring plant phenology in botanical plots, surveying vertebrates along established census routes, and gathering behavioral data on gibbons and leaf monkeys

2. Ensuring that data are accurately entered into the project database in an efficient and timely manner

3. Managing a team of three to four experienced local assistants

4. Responsibly dispersing and accounting for project funds

5. Maintaining positive, collaborative relationships with relevant government officials, university counterparts, and the Gunung Palung National Park Bureau

6. Serving as an effective conduit of information between the PI and the field staff

Nationality:

Open, although candidate must speak fluent English or Indonesian to permit communication with the project PI. Ideally, candidates will have proficiency in both languages, although this is not a pre-requisite.

Qualifications/Experience:

Skills and qualifications:

Applicants must have aptitude and strong interest in biology, ecology, botany, anthropology, or a related field; be mature, independent, responsible, and culturally sensitive; be of sufficient physical, mental, and emotional condition to live and work in a remote tropical rainforest; be able to work well with others in close proximity; and be comfortable both following instructions and using personal initiative. In addition, the ideal candidate would have previous field research experience (preferably in the tropics); experience with management; proficiency with computer programming and databases; and speak Indonesian. Applicants who are enthusiastic about the position but do not fulfill all of these ideal requirements are nevertheless encouraged to apply.

Level:

Open. Applicants should have relevant university coursework and at least a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in a related field. Master’s or post-doctoral candidates are also welcome to apply.

Salary/funding:

Compensation:

The main compensation is the opportunity to live and work in a beautiful, diverse tropical forest and gain valuable experience in field ecology research. Opportunities also exist for collaboration on scientific publications with the project leader or to conduct independent research projects. In addition, the field manager will have all direct costs associated with the project covered by the PI (e.g., round trip airfare, lodging, ground transportation, research permit and visa fees, research station fees). Additional compensation is possible, based on the candidate’s experience and education level. Pending the availability of funds, such compensation could range from a modest monthly stipend to a competitive post-doctoral salary. Individuals will be responsible for their own basic field equipment, health care, and medical expenses.

Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):

See above

Term of Appointment:

A minimum of 12 months, starting in July 2012, with the option for extension for multiple years.

Application Deadline:

Applications will be accepted until position is filled, but all materials should be submitted by April 5th to receive full consideration. Skype or phone interviews with top candidates will be conducted in April and a final decision will be made before the end of May.

Comments:

Required application materials:

Please submit to Dr. Marshall via email: a CV and a cover letter of no more than two pages explaining your relevant experience and qualifications and your reasons for applying for the position. In addition, please have two recommenders capable of evaluating your suitability for this position submit letters of recommendation directly to Dr. Marshall.

Contact:

Please submit all application materials and any questions to Prof. Andrew Marshall: ajmarshall@ucdavis.edu.

Contact Information:

Andrew Marshall

Department of Anrthopology, University of California, One Shields Avenue

Davis, CA 95616

USA

Telephone Number:

(530) 754-9699

Fax Number:

(530) 754-9699

Website:

http://anthropology.ucdavis.edu/people/ajmarsha

E-mail Address:

ajmarshall@ucdavis.edu

Questions and Comments

Post-Doctoral Fellow in Gorilla Behavior

Hiring Organization:

The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund

Date Posted:

2012-03-09

Position Description:

The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund seeks high-caliber PhD applicants for a Fossey Fellowship. The Fellowship provides an exciting and unique opportunity to contribute to the Fund’s continuing scientific growth and to use the Fund’s long-term databases on the Karisoke gorillas to explore hypothesis-driven questions about gorilla social behavior, reproductive strategies and life history decisions.

The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund currently collects daily demographic, behavioral and ranging data on 120 mountain gorillas living in the Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. The Fund maintains long-term databases (ranging, demography, behavior) on the research groups of gorillas in Rwanda, some of which date back to the inception of the Karisoke Research Center in 1967.

Responsibilities will include: 1) overseeing digitization of long-term records stored in paper format; 2) collaborating with current Fossey Fund staff to publish high-priority papers related to ongoing Fossey scientific activities; 3) addressing questions relevant to gorilla/primate sociobiology and conservation based on the long-term database; 4) writing grants to support ongoing research activities; 5) providing data management support to field scientists.

The position is one year but with the potential to be extended if funding becomes available.

This position will be based at the Fossey Fund headquarters in Atlanta, GA, USA. At least one field stay at the Karisoke Research Center will occur during the fellowship.

Potential candidates should send a CV (including names of at least 2 referees) and a detailed letter of interest that includes a description of research interests with respect to long-term databases to Dr. Tara Stoinski (tstoinski@zooatlanta.org).

Qualifications/Experience:

PhD in biology, psychology, anthropology or related field. Strong publication record and knowledge of statistical methods. Field work with apes preferred but not mandatory.

Salary/funding:

One year salary plus benefits.

Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):

Support for travel to Karisoke Research Center (airfare, lodging meals) provided.

Term of Appointment:

1 year starting ASAP with potential to extend pending funding

Application Deadline:

March 30, 2012

Contact Information:

Tara Stoinski

800 Cherokee Avenue

Atlanta, GA 30315

USA

Telephone Number:

404 624 5826

Fax Number:

404 624 5841

Website:

http://www.gorillafund.org

E-mail Address:

tstoinski@zooatlanta.org

PhD Position in Primate Behaviour

Hiring Organization:

University of Neuchatel

Date Posted:

2012-03-13

Position Description:

We seek to fill a PhD position to study cultural differences in two groups of wild chimpanzees at Budongo Forest, Uganda, the Sonso and Waibira communities (www.budongo.org). Unlike other chimpanzee communities in Africa, the Budongo chimpanzees do not use sticks as tools, but instead have developed an extensive leaf technology. Leaves are used, for example, to produce sponges and remove parasites, for medicinal purposes, signalling, and personal hygiene. We are interested in describing the ontogeny, social transmission, botantical knowledge and cultural diversity of this behaviour. The successful candidate will be supervised by Professor Klaus Zuberbühler.

Qualifications/Experience:

Required: Masters degree (or equivalent) in biology or related fields; research experience in animal behaviour; strong interest in animal cognition; good interpersonal skills to act as team leader; excellent knowledge of English; sufficient knowledge of French to deliver undergraduate teaching. Beneficial: knowledge of primate cognition literature; field experience in Africa; research experience with primates.

Salary/funding:

The position is fully funded by the University of Neuchâtel (http://www2.unine.ch/biol).

Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):

Subsidised accommodation available at Budongo

Term of Appointment:

Initial appointment will be for 1 year, to be extended by a further 3 years following satisfactory evaluation. The successful candidate will take on a managerial function at the field station to supervise collection of project data and ensure the delivery of scientific goals. Estimated time in the field is at least 6 months per year, for the first 3 years. She/he will also be required to assist with undergraduate teaching at the Institute of Biology in Neuchâtel. Basic/intermediate knowledge of French is required.

Application Deadline:

31 May 2012

Comments:

Applications should include a (1) letter of intent, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) research proposal (no more than 500 words), (4) sample of academic written work (no more than 2,000 words), (5) 2-3 letters of recommendation, and (6) copies of academic transcripts and degrees. Please send all documents to Klaus.Zuberbuehler@unine.ch by 31 May 2012. Start date is negotiable from 01 August 2012.

Contact Information:

Klaus Zuberbuhler

Rue Emilie Argand 11

Neuchatel, Neuchatel 2000

Switzerland

Telephone Number:

+41 32 718 3105

Website:

http://www.budongo.org

E-mail Address:

kz3@st-and.ac.uk

PhD Position in Primate Cognition

Hiring Organization:

University of Neuchatel

Date Posted:

2012-03-13

Position Description:

We seek to fill a PhD position to study social cognition in free-ranging vervet monkeys at the Inkawu Vervet Project, near Swart Mfolozi, South Africa. The site is located in Kwazulu-Natal on a 12,000h private ranch where multiple groups of fully habituated vervet monkeys have been studied for several years. The project is operated by Dr Erica van de Waal, as part of a research collaboration between Professors Redouan Bshary (University of Neuchâtel), Carel van Schaik (University of Zurich) and Andy Whiten (University of St Andrews).

The aim of this project is to investigate aspects of social cognition in vervet monkeys, such as the degree to which individuals take the presence, identity and social role of other group members into account in their behavioural decisions. The project requires a strong commitment to experimental methodology and theoretical interest in cognitive evolution. The successful candidate will be supervised by Professor Klaus Zuberbühler in collaboration with Dr Erica van de Waal.

Qualifications/Experience:

Required: Masters degree (or equivalent) in biology or related fields; research experience in animal behaviour; strong interest in animal cognition; good interpersonal skills to act as team leader; excellent knowledge of English; sufficient knowledge of French for undergraduate teaching. Beneficial: knowledge of primate cognition literature; field experience in Africa; research experience with primates, acoustic analysis, and experimental design.

Salary/funding:

The position is fully funded by the University of Neuchâtel (http://www2.unine.ch/biol).

Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):

Subsidised accommodation is available at the field site

Term of Appointment:

Initial appointment will be for 1 year, to be extended by a further 3 years following satisfactory evaluation. The successful candidate will take on a managerial function at the field station, to supervise collection of project data and ensure the delivery of scientific goals of the research collaboration. Estimated time in the field is at least 6 months per year, for the first 3 years. She/he will also be required to assist with undergraduate teaching at the Institute of Biology in Neuchâtel. Basic/intermediate knowledge of French is required.

Application Deadline:

31 May 2012

Comments:

Applications should include a (1) letter of intent, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) research proposal (no more than 500 words), (4) sample of academic written work (no more than 2,000 words), (5) 2-3 letters of recommendation, and (6) copies of academic transcripts and degrees. Please send all documents to Klaus.Zuberbuehler@unine.ch by 31 May 2012. Start date is negotiable from 01 August 2012.

Contact Information:

Klaus Zuberbuhler

Rue Emile-Argand

Neuchatel, Neuchatel 2000

Switzerland

Telephone Number:

+41 32 718 3105

E-mail Address:

kz3@st-and.ac.uk

Primate Rehabilitator/Orphan Baby Baboon Carer

Hiring Organization:

Centre for Animal Rehabilitation and Education (C.A.R.E)

Date Posted:

2012-03-09

Position Description:

This is one volunteer programme that can absolutely guarantee hands on experience with orphaned baby primates (so long as you are fit & healthy and ready to be groomed, lipsmacked, have the occassional playful nip, groom & lipsmack back & offer a warm lap to sleep in).

You will spend your time here caring for the centre's orphaned monkeys - the charming, often misunderstood, beautiful baboons. Being situated in a nature reserve, in the stunning South African bush you will have the opportunity to see other wildlife such as giraffe and elephants all around. Being the largest baboon rehabilitation facility worldwide, with a strong reputation we unfortunately recieve a high volume helpless orphan baboons throughout the year due to them being orphaned at the hands of farmers, road accidents, poisoning, the pet trade and cruelty. We need a high volume of volunteers all year round to help take care of the babies, prepare food for the adult troops awaiting release and help fund the care of the baboons housed at the sanctuary.

A typical day in the life of a volunteer:

Volunteers take the babies out of their sleeping cages at 6-7am and they go to bed at around 5 or 6pm (in otherwords dawn and dusk), whilst in the nursery they have a human volunteer present all day, whom take it in hourly shifts to supervise and play with them (you and the other volunteers). Volunteers like youself will sit with the orphans as they are all babies and being left alone without an adult is scary for them & the smallest ones need assitance with drinking milk & shelter when the other orphans get too much for them and they need a sleep. This is taken in shifts. The idea is that the humans act as the 'aunties' and do exactly what their mothers and aunts would in the wild: provide a secure place for sleeping, making sure no one gets picked on, ensure they have access to milk and food and basically make them feel secure and safe. In the nursery they learn how to be a baboon, they make friends and become a cohesive troop. After the age of around a year- 18 months, they are weaned from human contact, and contact is restricted.

Typical volunteer day shifts:

7am - get up, take babies to the nursery.

7am feed room - prepare food for the resident captive troops who are awaiting release into the wild - usually involves filling crates with the food items available.

8am - clean up - cleaning sleeping cages/bottles/blankets etc

Some one (usually 2 volunteers) take bottle shifts to make the orphans bottles and fresh food, usually at about 10am, 12, 2pm and 4pm.

Play room shifts - volunteers take it in turns to sit in the orphan baby baboon nursery from dawn til dusk.

The day normally finishes about 5.30pm

* If students wish to conduct non-invasive research projects, these can usually be accommodated.

CARE is looking for students especially interested in conducting research or projects which involves; parasitological, genetic comparisons within the chacma species, design and building enclosures and structures etc, marketing and PR, the effects of castration on behaviour, contraception. If you are interested in conducting a project at CARE we ask you to present us with a research proposal for approval and you must fund all your own research and accomodation costs.

We are especially looking for students to research the genetics of the baboons undergoing rehabiltiation here and are seeking students to embark on genetic profiling our vaious troops awaiting release. This can be obtained through simple fecal samles from Mitochondrial DNA.

Qualifications/Experience:

No qualifications are required, although we favour individuals with some experience or qualifications within the animal or caring fields. You must have a love for nature and a passion for animals, any age can volunteer above 18 years old.

You must be prepared for living in the bush, in an environment with stretched resources with volunteers from all over the world. Living in the bush means living amongst wildlife from the stunning elephants, cheeky wild troop of baboons, inquisitive rats and even poisonous snakes.

You must be physically fit, the work is not really hard but some lifting of food and maintaining enclosures is required and the baboons will jump on you whilst playing in the nursery, they will pull hair and it is likely you may get bitten by a baby at some point.

You must be healthy with no infectious medical issues. You must be free from hepatitis (all forms), TB, herepes, HIV, AIDS, coughs/colds, eye infections & all other infectious diseases as our primates can catch human diseases/infections.

Anyone with any illness will not be allowed contact with any baboons.

Salary/funding:

CARE receives no funding from governments and grants are limited, therefore we rely on volunteers. You must pay to volunteer here as it will cover your food and resource expenses. All the money raised through volunteers supports the care for the babooons - from handrearing orphans, feeding captive troops, filling the vehicles with fuel to pick up food, building and maintaining enclosures, medical care, planning & implementation of releases and post release monitoring - all these things need funding. CARE receives no government help at all and relies of funding from volunteers.

Accomodation/Food/Resouce use fee is US$450 per week (this is the equivalent of £285 per week). We charge this for the first 8 weeks then it is discounted by 20% = $360 per week.

We may offer reductions in the low season so it may be worth enquiring.

Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):

All meals and accommodation are provided.

*The Volunteer Accommodation*

Volunteer accomodation is shared and simple.

Our luxury is the fact there are usually hot showers, usually electric and trips to town once a week to buy groceries (only space for one or two volunteers to join so it is not guarenteed you can go).

CARE is in the middle of a private nature reserve, so there a wild animals EVERYWHERE! From wild baboons, elephants and kudu to snakes (some poisonous), scorpions, lizards, rats and a whole range of creepy crawlies!) but you are living in the African bush and get to experience breathtaking and wonderful wildlife encounters!

Volunteers are provided with all basic meals. Fresh fruit and vegetables can be taken from the 'feed room' where food for the baboons is prepared, any luxury items such as chocolate and alcohol can be purchased in the 'tuc shop'. Volunteers prepare their own breakfast and lunch and often take it in turns to cook evening meals. The meals are usually good, consisting of vegetables, potatos, pasta, rice, cereals, some yogurt, milk, eggs, cheese, vegetarian soy products and occassionally chicken and mince for non-vegetarians.

Please bear in mind you are living in the bush, so encountering rats, snakes, bugs and more should be expected.

Volunteers must just cover the costs of their flights or bus to Phalaborwa (South Africa, Limpopo), we will pick you up from there and return you on your depature. Volunteers will pay for their time at CARE, this donation is towards their food and resource use, plus a small donation to pay for the monkeys food.

Please visit the website: www.primatecare.org.za for more detailed info and please email: info@primatecare.org.za. for costs.

Term of Appointment:

Ongoing - we need volunteers all year around.

Application Deadline:

none

Comments:

CARE is offering a Bush Training Survival course additional to the volunteer program at an extra cost receiving training from qualified field guide. This includes Bush Survival Skills, snake handling and a certificate.

Educational and site seeing trips to various places like the Kruger National Park, cheetah/lion experiences, zip lining and more can be arranged at an extra cost when you are staying with us. For these trips pick up and return back to the sanctuary can be arranged.

You can see videos here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPm55pgptkE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcJcC2w1WXM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4Bml18xgP8

Contact Information:

Katie Pierce, posting by Samantha Dewhirst (CARE)

Phalaborwa South Africa PO Box 1937, Phalaborwa, 1390, South Africa

South Africa

Telephone Number:

447894644244

Website:

http://www.africanprimatecare.com

E-mail Address:

katie4care@gmail.com

Maître de Conférences(MC)

Chaire mixte IRD/Université Paris 13 Type : Maître de Conférences(MC)

CNU : 69° section, neurosciences Composante : LSHS, Université Paris 13

Laboratoire d'accueil : BIOEMCO/LEEC

Profil court : Ecologie et éthologie des insectes sociaux

English: Ecology and ethology of social insects

Description : Cette chaire mixte d’excellence IRD-Université Paris 13 est proposée en vue de développer un projet de recherche en collaboration entre le laboratoire IBIOS (Equipe BIOEMCO, IRD France Nord) et le LEEC (Université Paris 13) en éco-éthologie des termites. Ce poste présente plusieurs avantages : le lauréat devra assurer un service d’enseignement réduit à l’Université (1/3 d’un service normal) et bénéficiera d’une prime scientifique moyenne de 10K€ par an et ses recherches réalisées à l’IRD recevront une dotation annuelle entre 10K€ et 20 K€.

This position is a special Maître de Conférences position called « chaire mixte d’excellence » based on cooperative research program , with several advantages for the successful candidate: 1) the teaching load is reduced to 1/3 of the normal teaching; 2) a scientific prize of about 10K€ per year in addition to the normal salary; 3) funding for research between 10K€ and 20 K€ per year.

Enseignement :

- Filières de formation concernées : parcours de psychophysiologie en licence de psychologie (L1 à L3) et Master d'éthologie (M1et M2).

- Objectifs pédagogiques et besoin d'encadrement: Cours magistraux et Travaux Dirigés de Neurobiologie, Ethologie (L1 à L3), Sciences du Comportement (Master 1 et 2).

- Département : Département de Psychophysiologie

- Lieu(x) d’exercice : UFR Lettres et Sciences de l’Homme et des Sociétés

- Contact :Stéphane Chameron : chameron@leec.univ-paris13.fr

Teaching: Psychophysiology in the Psycology curriculum for students in Licence and Ecology and Behaviour for students in Master 1 and 2 of Ethology. Lectures and practicals.

Recherche : Etude éco-éthologique d’espèces de termites ayant un impact économique et écologique

English : Eco-ethological study of termite species of economical and ecological importance

Pré requis : Le candidat devra présenter une expérience avérée dans le domaine de la biologie des insectes et un très bon profil de publications. Une bonne connaissance de l’éthologie et l’écologie des insectes (communication, reproduction, relations intra- et inter- spécifiques) ainsi qu’une expérience de recherche en zones tropicales seront appréciées.

Recherche : Le candidat aura pour tâche de développer un projet de recherche en collaboration entre le LEEC (Université Paris 13) et IBIOS (Equipe BIOEMCO, IRD France Nord) visant à comparer l’organisation sociale (division du travail, régulation des castes, reconnaissance coloniale, reproduction…), les caractéristiques biologiques et moléculaires chez plusieurs espèces de termites à régime alimentaire différent afin de déterminer les conditions éthologiques, écologiques et évolutives de l’expansion des espèces potentiellement ravageuses des cultures tropicales, afin de mettre en place des techniques novatrices de lutte.

English

Qualifications: Applicants should have a solid and significant expertise in relevant aspects of insect biology and high profile publishing in their field. A good knowledge of insect ecology and ethology (communication, reproductive strategies, intra- and inter-specific interactions), and experience with working in the tropics will be appreciated.

Research project: The successful candidate will develop a collaborative research project involving the LEEC (University of Paris 13) and the IBIOS (Team BIOEMCO IRD France Nord). The project concerns investigation of the social organisation (division of labour, caste partitioning, nestmate recognition, reproductive strategies, etc.) and the biological and molecular features of several species of termites with different food regimes. The aim of this comparative and integrated approach should be to determine the evolutionary, ecological and ethological conditions responsible of the spreading of species that are potentially pest of tropical cultivars, in order to develop novel strategies for insect control.

Laboratoire d’accueil :

1°) IRD France-Nord : UMR BIOEMCO Équipe IBIOS

2°) Université Paris 13 : LEEC EA 4443

Contact :

1°) IRD France-Nord

Corinne ROULAND-LEFEVRE

Directrice du centre IRD France-Nord

corinne.rouland-lefevre@ird.fr

tel : 01 48 02 56 34

2°) Université Paris 13, LEEC EA 4443 :

Dominique Fresneau

mail : Dominique.Fresneau@leec.univ-paris13.fr

Tél: 01 49 40 32 18

Patrizia d'Ettorre

mail : dettorre@leec.univ-paris13.fr

Tél : 01 49 40 31 96

Champs de recherche : Biological sciences, Biodiversity, Biology, Zoology

Agricultural sciences, Tropical agriculture, Soil science, Forest science

Environmental science, Ecology