Offre de stage

Ethologie appliquée au bien-être des primates non humains

Thème

Enrichissement du milieu chez dix espèces de primates non humains

Encadrement

Benjamin Gourdol, Welfare Manager

Hélène Meunier, Ph.D., Ethologue-Primatologue

Durée

Stages de huit semaines, comprises entre le 26 août 2013 au 31 janvier 2014

Lieu

Centre de Primatologie de l’Université de Strasbourg

Fort Foch

67207 Niederhausbergen

Description

- Enrichissement du milieu d'animaux élevés dans différentes conditions de captivité (réalisation et mise en place des dispositifs, suivi comportemental des animaux).

- Gestion des colonies et du maintien de l’équilibre des groupes sociaux (gestion des transferts, suivi comportemental des animaux).

- Entraînement des animaux à coopérer pour différentes manipulations à partir de techniques de conditionnement opérant (clicker training) dans le cadre du programme européen Euprimnet II ; une étude quantitative de nouvelles méthodes pour l’amélioration de l’efficacité de l’entraînement est en cours et sera à poursuivre.

Profil requis

Etudiant en Biologie, spécialisé en éthologie ou technicien animalier formé ou en cours de formation.

Nous recherchons une personne observatrice, rigoureuse, patiente, autonome, très motivée, et appréciant le contact avec les animaux.

Conditions de travail

Temps plein, du lundi au vendredi sans indemnité.

Contact

Envoyer CV et lettre de motivation par courrier électronique à :

Benjamin Gourdol - benjamin.gourdol@yahoo.fr

Avec CC à Hélène Meunier - meunier.h@gmail.com

Laboratory assistant needed for songbird recording analysis at the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology (Germany)

Website: http://www.orn.mpg.de/2622/Department_Kempenaers.

Location: Seewiesen, Bayern, Germany.

Duration: 5 months (from September 2013 to January 2014).

Job description: The assistant will help extracting data from song recordings of a variety of songbirds collected during the breeding season by Arnaud Da Silva, PhD Student at the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology (website: http://www.orn.mpg.de/206596/Arnaud_Da_Silva). The project is about the impact of artificial night lighting (light pollution) on dawn singing.

Automated sound recordings were obtained each morning during a period of 3 months (March to May) in eight forest patches with experimental night lighting. The assistant will help extracting data from these recordings. Likely species of interest are: the Great Tit (Parus major), the Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus), the Common Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs), the European Robin (Erithacus rubecula), the Common Blackbird (Turdus merula), the Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos), the Eurasian Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes), the Dunnock (Prunella modularis) and late migrants such as the Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca), the Eurasian Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla), the Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) and the Woodlark (Lullula arborea).

Qualifications: Candidates should have a BSc in Biology or a related field. They must have good ornithological knowledge, especially regarding bird vocalizations. Applications from candidates that are very enthusiastic about learning bird songs will also be taken into account. If possible, candidates should have some experience with computer analysis although the use of the sound analysis software (i.e. Song Scope) is rather straightforward. The ideal candidate is highly motivated, rigorous, careful about data, and able to work well in collaboration with the PhD student. Non-EU applicants should make sure that they are eligible for an extended stay in Europe.

This is a full-time position. The assistant will obtain free accommodation in the guesthouse of the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology in Seewiesen plus a small stipend to cover living expenses.

Applicants should send (1) a cover letter detailing their motivation and (2) a short resume or CV to Arnaud Da Silva (email: asilva@orn.mpg.de) as soon as possible. The successful candidate will be selected after an interview.

PhD thesis on Chemical and Behavioural Ecology of Honeybees (Pretoria)

Applications are invited for a PhD position to be held within the Social Insects Research Group (SIRG), Department of Zoology and Entomology University of Pretoria. This studentship is for a period of 3 years, starting on or soon after January 1st, 2014.

Study theme

The PhD studentship focuses on the underlying chemical processes of capensis social parasitism and how the social parasites gain reproductive dominance in host colonies. This social parasitism had and still has tremendous implications for the apicultural industry. The details of the PhD project will be discussed with the successful candidate, to accommodate interests and strengths.

Eligibility and selection criteria

Candidates should hold an MSc in Entomology, Zoology, Analytical Chemistry or any related discipline. The successful candidate will be expected to have a high degree of self-motivation, ability to work independently, and as part of a group. The candidate will be part of a vibrant research group with interests in various aspects of social insect biology and especially honeybees and with worldwide international collaborations.

Experience in chemical ecology and working with honeybees or other social insects is an advantage.

Application procedure

In order to be considered for this studentship, candidates must email the following documentation (as one PDF file) to either Prof. Robin Crewe (robin.crewe@up.ac.za) or Prof. Christian Pirk (cwwpirk@zoology.up.ac.za).

A comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV), including list of publications and conference attendances (if applicable).
A statement of research interests and motivation stating reasons why the candidate feels he/she is suitable for the PhD studentship.
Names and email addresses of two referees who are willing to write a letter of recommendation (one of which MUST be the candidate’s MSc supervisor).

This position is opened until filled

For more information about the SIRG, please visit: http://www.up.ac.za/zoology/old_zoology/SIRG/>

BEHAVIOR SCIENTIST

BEHAVIOR SCIENTIST JOB SUMMARY:

This position is responsible for performing the necessary work related to the human-animal interactions research program under minimal supervision. This position is located in St. Joseph, Missouri.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

·         Develop & implement innovative testing methodologies aimed at improving our understanding of pet behavior, pet welfare and human-animal interactions ·         Develop and implement cat and dog socialization, training and enrichment programs ·         Perform cat and dog behavior assessments ·         Collaborate with PetCare team to optimize pet welfare. Required activities include, but are not limited to: o   Train PetCare technicians on animal behavior, welfare issues, pet interaction, enrichment, grooming o   Develop pet behavior training programs and work with PetCare team on their implementation ·         This position may require developing and implementing innovative testing methodologies for assessing acceptance and preference of litter material ·         In collaboration with other business units, develop animal behavior-based products and services. ·         Function as a project team leader as assigned. Required activities include, but are not limited to: o   Providing project leadership for the projects assigned o   Adherence to Company policy on protection of patent rights and intellectual property o   Ensuring all appropriate documents and project records are filed in the Central Project Files, whether            paper or electronic ·         Effectively communicate results through oral presentations and timely, written technical documentation and reports ·         Knowledge of, and compliance with, the Animal Welfare Act and all procedures and protocols in the Nestlé Purina PTC PetCare Manual ·         Conduct all activity in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and all required Company policies and procedures ·         Maintain a safe, clean, and sanitary work environment ·         Travel as necessary ·         Practice safety in the work area

                                   

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

·         Keep current in scientific discipline ·         Continue development of project leadership skills ·         Additional duties as assigned

SUPERVISION GIVEN AND RECEIVED:

·         Direct supervision from Behavior Group Section Leader ·         Indirectly supervise behavior research technician

JOB QUALIFICATIONS (Education, Experience, and Knowledge):

·         Ph.D. in Animal Science, Psychology, Ethology or related discipline ·         Strong background in research techniques, statistics, and experimental design ·         Ability to work directly with cats and dogs ·         Good communication and interpersonal skills ·         Must be able to manage multiple projects/priorities ·         Good organizational skills ·         Computer literacy ·         Pro-active/Self-Starter

SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS PREFERRED BUT NOT REQUIRED:

·         Evidence of peer reviewed, published research ·         Project management skills ·         Extensive knowledge of non-invasive behavioral techniques ·         Mastery of other languages besides English

Send your resume or CV to:  Daniel.brewer@rd.nestle.com

Project Assistant

Hiring Organization:

Orangutan Health Project

Date Posted:

2013-08-03

Position Description:

Possible Responsibilities:

Organising and supervising short-term volunteers 

Email correspondence for project 

Coordinating with referral organisations 

Data entry 

Specimen collection (faecal samples, herbariums), preparation of sample bottles; other related research tasks as needed 

Assistance with grant writing as needed 

Assisting Project Coordinator or Project Assistants with any tasks as needed

Possible forest trekking and observation of wild orangutans in the jungle with staff and volunteers, including overnight camping for several days. 

Important Note: the opportunity for trekking and orangutan observation is not guaranteed; it is totally dependent on the needs of the project at the time (i.e. the number of staff required, weather, the physical fitness of the assistant, etc.). Also note: there is no physical contact with orangutans.

Qualifications/Experience:

University graduate 

Good problem-solving skills and ability to take the initiative

Outgoing personality, patience, flexibility and a sense of humour!

Ability to live under basic conditions with limited amenities

Openness to, and acceptance of, non-Western ideas and cultures

Fluency in English language 

Basic computer skills (Outlook, Word, Excel)

Leadership skills are an advantage

Salary/funding:

Participation fee payable by volunteer = US $699

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

You will be asked to make a contribution to the project to cover costs incurred by you at the project as well as a donation to the project's research. While employed you will receive accommodation, three meals a day, drinking water and all transport costs associated with the work.

Term of Appointment:

Contract Duration: Six Months

Application Deadline:

Ongoing recruitment

Comments:

Please see our website for more information, or find us on Facebook. We are very much in need of Project Assistants to start in September or October this year, any applicants who can commit to start soon will be given priority but people wanting to come later this year or in 2014 are welcome to apply, as the positions are ongoing.

Contact Information:

Clare Hunt

c/o YLI, Jl. Bioteknologi, Kampus USU

Medan 20155

Indonesia

Telephone Number:

+6281362013187

Website:

http://www.orangutan-health.org

E-mail Address:

orangutanhealth@nusa.net.id

Research assistant, Mbeli Bai Gorilla Study

Hiring Organization:

Wildlife Conservation Society - Congo Program

Date Posted:

2013-08-03

Position Description:

We are looking for a field assistant for an ongoing study on the demographics, behaviour, and visiting patterns of western lowland gorillas at Mbeli Bai, Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville).

Responsibilities include the daily monitoring (>10hours) of gorillas and other large mammals (forest elephants, sitatungas, forest buffaloes,…) visiting the Mbeli Bai forest clearing. Further responsibilities include camp logistics, food orders, helping in training of Congolese research assistants.

Qualifications/Experience:

Essential requirements are high resistance to working for a long period in a remote rain forest, experiences in collecting behavioral data, and the ability to work in a small team (2-3 Congolese research assistants and 2-4 local assistants). This also means living on basic food and having limited email access (no internet and no telephone calls). Field-work requires a lot of patience because in contrary to following a habituated group we wait for the animals to visit the clearing which means that there can be hours and sometimes days without gorillas in the bai (but there will always be many flies!!!). Therefore the work demands high motivation and patience. Previous experience in individual identification of primates is of high advantage and applicants have to be prepared for a 3-month learning period of the large visiting population of more than 130 gorillas. This also means that applicants are expected to spend at least 1 year at the site. 

Practical and technical skills required to maintain the camps technical infrastructure (eg. solar electricity, satphone, sw-radio) are of advantage. For communication with local assistants (Bangombe pygmies), basic skills in French or African languages such as Lingala are required and candidates with such skills will be preferred.

Salary/funding:

No salary provided but ALL costs associated with the successful completion of the position will be covered.Support provided for internship/volunteer positions

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

The project will cover costs for a visa and the expenses for domestic and international flights. This money will be reimbursed only AFTER SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION of a 12-month term of appointment.

The project provides food and offers individual lodging (in wooden houses) at the field site. Expenses for food and lodging during the stay in Brazzaville will also be covered by the project. Expenses for private field equipment, medical supplies and insurance can NOT be covered by the project.

Term of Appointment:

12 months (starting in September 2013)

Application Deadline:

15th August 2013

Comments:

For additional information on the study site, please have a look at;

http://congo.wcs.org/WildPlaces/MbeliBaiResearchStudy.aspx

http://de-de.facebook.com/pages/Mbeli-Bai-Study/137426999658859

http://twitter.com/MbeliBai

Contact Information:

Thomas Breuer

Avenue Charles de Gaule 151

Brazzaville, none BP 14537

Congo

Website:

http://congo.wcs.org/WildPlaces/MbeliBaiResearchStudy.aspx

E-mail Address:

tbreuer@wcs.org

Field assistant (Alouatta caraya, Argentina)

Hiring Organization:

University of Stirling

Date Posted:

2013-07-31

Position Description:

Research assistant for behavioural and endocrinological data collection for PhD research project on black-and-gold howlers on Isla Brasiliera, Chaco, Northern Argentina. 

The candidate will assist with data collection for a research investigating the communicative role of sexually dichromatic colouration in male black-and-gold howlers inhabiting the island of Isla Brasiliera. 

The major work consists of collecting behavioural data as well as faecal samples, which later will be used for hormonal and parasite analyses, assistance with conducting field experiments and obtaining calibrated digital images of selected individuals. 

Isla Brasiliera is a 292 ha island, uninhabited by humans and located on the Parana River in Northern Argentina (Chaco Province). With its dense, periodically flooded central forest, it is a home to over 30 groups of free-ranging howlers (this research involves 12 of the groups).

Qualifications/Experience:

Essential requirements: BSc in biology, zoology or another related discipline, understanding of behavioural data collection methods (full training will be provided), very good level of physical fitness and ability to swim (long hours in the field require a lot of hiking), endurance of tropical conditions (high temperature, humidity, insects, mud), positive and mature attitude towards work and others (co-workers and local people, with perhaps different customs and traditions), strong motivation and ability to work independently and as a part of a team.

Language skills: fluent spoken and written English is required, spoken Spanish is an advantage

Salary/funding:

None. This is a volunteer position. Permits to work on the island are arranged. It is the responsibility of the applicant to obtain Argentinean visa.

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

Food and accommodation are provided. 

Accommodation during data collection is a flat shared by the researcher and all assistants, located in the village of Isla Cerrito (basic standard, without internet access). Daily travel from logging to fieldsite requires canoe crossing of the Parana River. Accommodation is also provided at the EBCO research station during days of rest (with free internet and close proximity to the city of Corrientes).

(http://ebco.blogspot.com.ar/ ,http://tropicalconservationscience.mongabay.com/content/v1/08-06-09-Zunino-Kowaleski.pdf) 

Covering the costs of travel to Corrientes, Argentina will be the responsibility of the applicant. Costs of travel between the fieldsite and EBCO research station are covered.

Term of Appointment:

3 months or longer, starting in August 2013

Application Deadline:

open

Comments:

Applicants are requested to send an updated CV, a letter of interest and names of 2 referees

Contact Information:

Maria Wollnik

116 Third Street

Peterlee SR8 4EH

United Kingdom

Telephone Number:

01915869235 (UK),

E-mail Address:

a.m.wollnik@stir.ac.uk

Stage Ecophysiologie des pigeons – Mi-Aout à fin septembre

Effets des bactéries du plumage sur les signaux sexuels et les défenses antibactériennes chez le pigeon biset

•Cadre : Laboratoire Ecologie et Evolution, Université Paris VI

•Durée : Entre mi-août et fin Septembre (minimum 3 semaines)
•Lieu de travail : CEREEP île de France, logement sur place (150€) (http://www.foljuif.ens.fr/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=1)
•Stage non-rémunéré
Nous allons modifier les communautés bactériennes du plumage de pigeons maintenus en volières et nous allons étudier l’effet sur les signaux olfactifs et visuels, et sur les stratégies d’investissement dans les défenses antibactériennes.
Contacter Sarah Leclaire de l’équipe « Ecophysiologie Evolutive » par courrier électronique : sarahlecl@hotmail.com

Contexte thématique

Notre projet se situe à l’interface entre écophysiologie, écologie comportementale et écologie microbienne.

- Il a été suggéré que les bactéries pourraient jouer un rôle majeur dans la production d’odeur en dégradant des composés non-volatils contenus dans les sécrétions glandulaires. Nous étudierons donc l’effet d’une modification des communautés bactériennes du plumage sur la production de signaux olfactifs.

- Les bactéries kératinolytiques dégradent la structure des plumes et agissent ainsi négativement sur la condition et la coloration du plumage, des signaux sexuels chez de nombreuses espèces. Nous nous attendons donc à ce que les pigeons ayant davantage de bactéries kératynolitiques aient un plumage en moins bonne condition, et des couleurs plus fades.

- Enfin, cette expérience nous permettra également d’étudier l’effet des bactéries du plumage sur les stratégies d’investissement des pigeons. Nous nous attendons à ce que les pigeons ayant davantage de bactéries sur leur plumes investissent davantage dans les défenses antibactériennes (système immunitaire, comportement de toilettage, sécrétions uropygiennes) et dans la protection antibactérienne de leurs poussins (transfert de lisozyme ou d’anticorps).

Le stagiaire participera aux observations comportementales, aux captures de pigeons, aux mesures morphométriques, au suivi des poussins, aux prises de sang, et à l’entretien des volières.

Contact :

ASAB Winter Conference 2013, abstract deadline 16 August

There are just 2 weeks left to submit an abstract for this year's ASAB Winter Conference on 'The Evolution of Behavioural Mechanisms' (deadline: 16 August).

The conference will be held on 5-6 December at the Zoological Society of London. For more information, please visit

http://tinyurl.com/winterasab2013 or contact us at madorganiser@gmail.com.

We look forward to seeing you in London!

Tim Fawcett, Andy Higginson & Pete Trimmer

Modelling Animal Decisions (MAD) group, University of Bristol