PhD position:
Negotiating
over parental care: how do parents react to each other?
Vacancy number AnE-013090
This PhD position (1.0 FTE) is funded by a grant from the Netherlands
Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) and will be carried out at the
Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) in
close collaboration with the Behavioural Ecology Group, Department of Animal
Science, Wageningen University (WUR).
Project description: Family life is one of the most familiar forms of
social behaviour, but we are still far from a complete understanding of the
selection pressures shaping parental care. In particular, little is known about
the behavioural rules that parents use to negotiate over parental care. This
project will use state-of-the-art radio tracking technology, together with
acoustic recording, to simultaneously monitor the position and vocalisations of
both members of great tit Parus major pairs in the wild during the
nestling provisioning phase. The project will address questions such as: To
what extent is the behaviour of pairs coordinated in time or space? And how is
behaviour modified by proximity to the partner or signalling by the partner?
Requirements: We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic
person with an MSc or equivalent degree in behavioural ecology or a related
field, and with strong field, experimental and analytical skills. Candidates
must be willing to organise and conduct intensive ornithological fieldwork and
handle large volumes of data generated by automated data collection; have good
organisational and (written and spoken) communication skills, and the ability
to collaborate with others; be willing to travel internationally, to
attend conferences, and visit other institutes; have a driving license.
Appointment: This is a temporary
appointment, initially for 1 year and upon satisfactory progress prolonged for
a maximum of 4 years total.
Salary: The gross salary
starts at € 2.083, - per month in the 1st year, and will gradually increase to
a maximum of € 2.638, - per month in the 4th year, scale P, Collective
Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO Nederlandse Universiteiten), plus 8%
holiday pay and a year-end bonus. We offer an extensive package of fringe
benefits.
Location: The Netherlands Institute of
Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) in Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Information: A detailed project description can be found at: http://www.nioo.knaw.nl/phdnegotiation/
. Further information is available on request from Dr Kate Lessells
(k.lessells@nioo.knaw.nl; Tel +31(0)317-473444). Information about the
Netherlands Institute of Ecology can be found at http://www.nioo.knaw.nl
/
Applications: Please send your application including complete curriculum
vitae and names of three referees to vacature@nioo.knaw.nl. The closing date
for applications is 15 November 2013, with interviews planned before the end of 2013.