Despite the multitude of studies on nestbox-breeding birds, surprisingly little attention has been paid to host-parasite interactions, and to nest parasites in particular. Moreover, most studies have focused on single parasite species without considering interactions among different parasite species or factors governing parasite diversity. Aside from their relevance to their bird hosts, nest parasites can also be studied as ecological communities in their own right. Thanks to their highly standardized conditions and amenability to field experiments with a high degree of spatial replication, nestboxes can be regarded as semi-natural mesocosms that can be used for investigating topics such as interspecific interactions, dispersal and environmental gradients such as urbanization. The present project originated as part of an inter-university, multi-taxon research project on eco-evolutionary dynamics along a single urbanization gradient in Belgium (“SPEEDY”), including communities ranging from birds to plants to aquatic zooplankton. The project is also embedded in a long-term research programme on population dynamics and evolutionary ecology of cavity-nesting birds.
The specific objectives of this PhD project are (1) to describe variation in species richness, community structure and functional diversity of parasites and commensal species inhabiting nests of great tits (Parus major) along an urbanization gradient in Belgium; (2) to study the impact of parasite communities on host fitness, using demographic data collected in an ongoing population study; (3) to study how prevalence and abundance of parasite species are affected by ecological interactions within the nest (competition, mutualism, predation) and how these interactions vary along the urbanization gradient; and (4) to analyze the potential for evolutionary change along this gradient by studying variation at genotypic (using neutral markers) and phenotypic level (life history traits, virulence- and dispersal-related traits) for one or more parasite species.
Profile and requirements
• You hold a Master degree in Biology or comparable with a strong background in ecology and evolutionary biology;
• You can submit outstanding academic results;
• You have a solid training in both uni- and multivariate statistical analysis;
• Experience with parasite research, entomology and/or community ecology is an advantage;
We offer
• A doctoral scholarship for a period of two years, with the possibility of renewal for a further two-year period after positive evaluation;
• The starting date of the scholarship will be April 1st 2013;
• You will enrol in the Antwerp Doctoral School training program (www.ua.ac.be/ads) allowing you to take part in various courses, training programs and conferences within and outside the university;
• You will work in a team of several PhD students, postdocs and technical staff involved in eco-evolutionary research on birds and bird parasites;
• You will be member of the Evolutionary Ecology group, a dynamic and internationally-oriented research group that combines field, lab and modelling approaches to study various questions in ecological and evolutionary research, mainly focusing on birds and mammals (www.ua.ac.be/eveco).
Interested?
• Applicants should send their complete CV, a one-page statement of research interests and motivation for this project, and contact information of two referees who can supply letters of recommendation upon our request
• Applications should be submitted by email to Prof. Erik Matthysen at erik.matthysen@ua.ac.be until the closing date: 20 January 2013
• For more information, contact Erik Matthysen at the same email adress or at (+32) 3265 3464
The University of Antwerp strives to contribute to an open, democratic and multi-cultural society. We follow an equal-opportunity policy.
Note: even though the application deadline is currently set at 20 January, late applications may still be considered up to mid February, so any interested candidates can still contact me after the deadline.
Best regards,
Erik Matthysen
Prof. Dr. Erik Matthysen
Evolutionary Ecology Group
University of Antwerp
Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerpen
03 265 3464