mercredi 24 décembre 2014
jeudi 18 décembre 2014
Postdoctoral position: "Investigating the Social Behaviour of Fish Using Immersive Closed-Loop Virtual Reality"
We seek an outstanding scientist for a
postdoctoral position to develop, and employ, immersive 3D closed-loop virtual
reality (VR) environments to investigate visually-mediated social behaviours in
fish. Like other group-living vertebrates fish must respond rapidly to changing
visual cues in order to effectively employ social information when making
movement decisions. Consequently they are an excellent system for investigating
the process by which complex, high-dimensional visual information is translated
into low-level movement decisions. Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in computer
science, robotics, biophysics, neuroscience, physics, or a related field. Expertise
in developing closed-loop VR environments is not essential, but applicants must
be skilled in C++ and/or Python and have experience with computer vision / 3D
computer graphics.
This project is a close collaboration
between Iain D. Couzin (MPIO and U. Konstanz, Konstanz), where the postdoctoral
fellow will be based, and Andrew Straw (IMP Vienna) an expert on closed-loop
VR. The position is available initially for 2 years from Feb 2015, with the
possibility of extension based on performance.
The new Department of Collective Behavior
is located on the campus of the University of Konstanz in the historic city of
Konstanz, by Lake Constance in southern Germany. It is approximately 50 minutes
(by train or car) from Zurich International Airport and closely affiliated with
the nearby Max Planck Department of Migration and Immuno-Ecology in Radolfzell.
The Max Planck Institutes and the
University of Konstanz focus on excellence in research and the successful
applicant will benefit from excellent infrastructure, opportunities for
training and a highly collaborative and international research environment. The
working language is English and consequently applicants must be fluent in this
language; knowledge of German is not necessary.
Applications, including a CV, and in
addition a 2-page description of past research activities should be sent, in
PDF format, to icouzin@orn.mpg.de with
subject line “MPI Fish VR”. In addition, applicants should arrange to have
three letters of recommendation sent separately to dpiechowski@orn.mpg.de. Review of
applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
The Max Planck Society and the University
of Konstanz are committed to increasing the number of individuals with
disabilities in their workforce and therefore we encourage applications from
such qualified individuals. Furthermore, we seek to increase the number of
women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly
encourages women to apply. We offer extensive support to help researchers
balance professional and home life, including assistance with childcare and
support of the elderly, and flexibility in how employees arrange working hours.
For details see http://www.mpg.de/equal_opportunities
For further information
regarding this position please contact Iain D. Couzin, Director and Chair. (icouzin@orn.mpg.de)
mercredi 17 décembre 2014
PhD available in Animal Social Communication and Cognition
PhD studentship
available for 2015 in animal social communication & cognition
Emotional
signalling in animals: identifying positive affect and its consequences
School of Psychology, University of Sussex
Supervisor: Prof Karen McComb (University of Sussex)
and Dr Leanne Proops (University of Sussex)
Emotional
signalling is a crucial but poorly understood aspect of animal social
behaviour, mediating important social interactions and contributing to an
individual’s ability to form social relationships and reproduce successfully.
One aspect of emotional signalling in animals that has received surprisingly
little attention is the way in which positive emotions are expressed and the
consequences of this signalling both for the individual itself and its
conspecifics. Displaying positive emotions may contribute to building an
individual’s own resilience as well as enhancing its ability to form social
bonds – a possibility that has not been investigated in animals. Moreover, it
is now recognised that animal welfare should be assessed not simply by the
absence of negative emotions, but also by the presence of positive ones, so a
systematic study of how positive emotions are expressed in a range of species
would have considerable applied value. The PhD student would use techniques
developed in our lab for quantifying animal facial expressions (and
vocalisations) in order to identify cues that are consistently associated with
positive emotional experiences. They would also explore the relationship
between signals with positive emotional valence and physiological and
behavioural measures of coping behaviour. Work on domestic horses would provide
a starting point for this study, but the project would look at parallels in
cues used to signal positive emotion across a range of different mammal species
and their relationship to individual coping mechanisms and social behaviour.
Applications should
be made by Friday 30th January 2015. The award of the studentship
will be based on a competitive process. If awarded, it would be a full-time
studentship (funded for a duration of three years) covering tuition fee, and a
maintenance allowance. The maintenance allowance is currently £13,863 per
annum. There is an expectation to contribute to teaching on a paid basis.
Eligibility
requirements for potential candidates:
· This award will
only pay fees at the Home/EU rate. The maintenance allowance is currently
£13,863 per annum.
· Candidates
must have, or expect to obtain, a First or a high Upper Second Class Honours
undergraduate degree, or equivalent qualification, and/or a Master's degree in
Psychology or a related discipline.
Guidance for
applicants:
Please send your initial
enquires by email for the attention of 'Postgraduate Coordinator' to: psychology@sussex.ac.uk
If you wish to discuss the
details of this PhD project further please contact Prof Karen McComb (karenm@sussex.ac.uk)
Applications should be
submitted to the University of Sussex online postgraduate application system (http://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/pg/applying/2015entry)
by Friday 30th January 2015.
Please submit your online
application together with:
· A research
statement that briefly outlines our current state of knowledge, hypotheses that
could be addressed, and an outline of potential methods. Your answer should not
exceed 2 pages including references, be set at minimum 10 font type with
margins a minimum of 1cm.
· A
teaching-related statement that addresses the normal expectation that you
contribute to teaching of statistics and research methods (up to 300 words).
An up to date CV
· A current
degree transcript(s) with full details of performance on all completed courses
Two academic references
The proposed source of funding
should be specified as 'GTA’.
mardi 16 décembre 2014
Job Title: The Calgary Stampede Performance Animal Post-Doctoral Fellowship
Area of Specialization: Animal Behaviour and Welfare
Start Date: Immediate
Faculty/Admin Area: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Department/Unit: Production Animal Health
Job Term: 2 years guranteed.
Up to three years possible depending on performance
Salary: To be
determined based on experience and motivation, minimum of 55,000 per year
Background
Research into the welfare of performance animals is lacking
as are programs to train highly qualified personnel, such as scientists, within
the performance animal industry. Both
areas are required to ensure the sustainability of the performance animal
industry. UCVM working with the Calgary Stampede have initiated research and
training opportunities; this fellowship increases those experiences and
continues building a program in performance animal health and welfare.
Qualifications/Expertise
Required:
A Ph.D. degree in the area of animal behavaviour and
welfare. Experience with animals used in
western events performance would be an
asset. The successful candidate should
also have relevant and recent peer-reviewed first author publications. Funding
is available immediately, however the candidate is still expected to seek
external research support
Duties and Responsibilities
Duties and responsibilities of this role include, but are not
limited to:
1) Research Activities
• Provide leadership and complete multiple research projects
on the welfare of performance animals used in western events. There is an
expectation that the work would result in peer-reviewed publications.
• Involvment with outreach/education opportunities with the
Calgary Stampede that could also result in peer-reviewed publications.
•The fellow will be expect to apply for external fundiing
each year
2) Industry experience
•Extensive work with
management, Stampede departments, volunteers, sponsors, suppliers, event
participants, consultants, exhibitors and industry representatives and the
community regarding animal care and welfare issues.
•Oversee and maintain animal care codes of practice and
programs for the OH Ranch, Stampede Ranch, Rodeo, Chuckwagons, Agriculture and
Western Performance Horse.
•Assist in the development and delivery of training programs
on animal care for staff, volunteers, and other key stakeholders.
•Participate and provide expertise in animal care strategic
planning.
•Actively participate in the communication of animal care
initiatives to both internal and external stakeholders.
•Work with animal care assessment consultant.
Supervision
The Fellowship will be primarily
supervised by Dr. Ed Pajor, the Anderson-Chisholm Chair in Animal Care and
Welfare and Max Fritz, Director of Western Events and Agriculture at the
Calgary Stampede, this position will combine post-doctoral research with the
experience of working within the performance animal industry at the Calgary
Stampede. Dr. Ed Pajor will have primary
responsibility for research activities and will approve all activities with the
Calgary Stampede (CS). Daily supervision
and reporting while working on CS activities will be to Mr. Fritz.
About the University
of Calgary
The University of Calgary is a
leading Canadian university located in the nation’s most enterprising city. The
university has a clear strategic direction to become one of Canada’s top five
research universities by 2016, where innovative teaching and ground breaking
research go hand in hand, and where we fully engage the communities we both
serve and lead. The strategy is called Eyes High, inspired by our
Gaelic motto, which translates to ‘I will lift up my eyes.
About Calgary
Named a cultural capital of
Canada and one of the best places to live in the world, Calgary is a city of leaders
– in business, community, philanthropy and volunteerism. Calgarians benefit
from the strongest economy in the nation and enjoy more days of sunshine per
year than any other major Canadian city. Calgary is less than an hour’s drive
from the majestic Rocky Mountains and boasts the most extensive urban pathway
and bikeway network in North America.
Application
Information
This position would be best suited for an
individual interested in a career in the performance animal industry. Interested candidates should send a cover
letter describing their interest and motivation, a CV and contact information
for three references to eapajor@ucalgary.ca
(subject header: CS Post-Doc position) or to the address below. Applications
will be accepted until the position is filled. All qualified candidates are
encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given
priority. The University of Calgary respects, appreciates, and encourages
diversity.
Ed Pajor,
PhD
Anderson-Chisholm
Chair in Animal Care and Welfare
Professor of
Animal Behaviour and Welfare
Faculty of
Veterinary Medicine
University
of Calgary
3330
Hospital Drive NW
Calgary,
Alberta T2N 4N1
CANADA
PhD fellowship
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PhD fellowship on the Refinement of Humane endpoints of long-term studies:
Using murine species-specific behaviours to assess reduced welfare in the
home cage of mice and rat models at the LIFEPHARM Centre.
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Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, Faculty of Health and Medical
Sciences, University of Copenhagen is offering 1 PhD fellowship commencing April
1st 2015 or soon thereafter. The
application deadline is 31 January 2015.
The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences and Novo Nordisk A/S
established a research centre in 2010 - The LIFEPHARM Centre (www.lifepharm.dk) - with a total budget of
DKK 78 mill covering activities until the end of 2018.
The present position is part of the Centre´s activities. The purpose of the
research centre is to strengthen the research in experimental pharmacology
and toxicology and to increase the output of candidates and PhDs with a
strong in vivo pharmacological profile.
It is expected that the future PhD fellows will be enrolled in the Graduate
Programme for In Vivo Pharmacology and Experimental Animals (IVP) at SUND and
participate actively in this network. The IVP Graduate Programme was established
in 2006 as a collaboration between the Faculties of Life Sciences,
Pharmaceutical Sciences and Health Sciences at the University of Copenhagen,
University of Aarhus, and industrial partners; Novo Nordisk A/S, LEO Pharma
and H. Lundbeck A/S. www.invivofarm.dk
For more information on LIFEPHARM or IVP please contact:
Professor Jens Lykkesfeldt
Director of LIFEPHARM
Head of IVP
Phone: (+45) 35 33 31 63)
Project description:
The objective of the proposed study is to establish a test
battery consisting of non-invasive, home cage-linked, natural behaviour-based
and highly sensitive tests, which can be used routinely for assessing
discomfort, stress and low-grade pain in laboratory mice and rats in
long-term studies in animal models for late complications in diabetes and
hemophilia. The hypothesis is that
most experimentally induced discomfort during animal experimentation will
affect natural behaviours such as nest building in mice, hoarding in rats,
burrowing in both species, interaction with a known handler in rats and
negative sucrose contrast in mice and rats (i.e. enhanced sensitivity to
reward loss). A test battery based on these behaviours will be validated to
run as routine procedures in the home cages of group-housed rats and mice.
For hoarding and burrowing, relevant devices will be designed, incorporated
and validated; nest building, sucrose negative contrast and human approach
tests will be modified to run in home cages. Perspective: Combining these tests to an assessment tool will
provide a refinement in long-term rodent studies, improving both animal
welfare and experimental outcome since e.g. pain in diabetic neuropathy and
discomfort due to nephropathy will be evident sooner than by standard
observations due to the reduced/impaired performance of natural behaviours
Principal supervisor
Assoc. Prof Dorte Bratbo Sørensen
E-mail:brat@sund.ku.dk
Direct Phone: (+45) 35 33 27 24
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
Section of Experimental Animal Models
University of Copenhagen
Co-supervisors
Jan Lund Ottesen Laboratory Animal Science, Novo Nordisk A/S
Email: jlo@novonordisk.com
Anna Olsson, Laboratory Animal Science, Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology
(IBMC), Portugal
Email: Olsson@ibmc.up.pt
Required
qualifications
Preferred qualifications
General Job description
Your key tasks as a PhD fellow at SUND are to:
Part of the PhD project will potentially be performed in the Animal Unit
at Novo Nordisk in Denmark.
We offer
Key criteria for the assessment of candidates
The successful candidate is also required to be enterprising and to
possess good interpersonal skills.
Formal requirements
The position is available for a 3-year period for applicants holding a
relevant master´s degree.
It is a prerequisite that the PhD candidate is enrolled as PhD student at
the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen
according to the rules stipulated in "Bekendtgørelse nr. 18 af 14.
januar 2008 om ph.d.-graden."
Terms of employment
Salary and other terms and conditions of appointment are set in accordance
with the Agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (Danish
Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant professional
organisations. The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic
Staff at Universities (2007).
Questions
Foreign applicants may find the following links useful: www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff
Mobility) and www.workingconditions.ku.dk
Application Procedure
Applications - in English - must include all the following:
The application will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no.
242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.
The University of Copenhagen encourages all interested in this post to apply.
Please submit the application with the required attachments by clicking on
"Apply online". Only online applications will be accepted. The closing date for applications is
23.59 pm, 31 January 2015.
Apply online
The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences comprises approximately 5000
students, 1000 PhD students and 1800 employees. The Faculty advances the
field of health sciences through its core activities: research, teaching,
knowledge sharing and communication. With basic research fields ranging from
molecular studies to studies of society, the Faculty contributes to a healthy
future through its graduates, research findings and inventions benefitting
patients and the community.
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Founded in 1479, the University of Copenhagen is the oldest university in
Denmark. With 37,000 students and 9,000 employees, it is among the largest
universities in Scandinavia and one of the highest ranking in Europe. The
University consists of six faculties, which cover Health and Medical
Sciences, Humanities, Law, Science, Social Sciences and Theology.
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Deadline: 31-01-2015
Employer: The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of
Copenhagen
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Manager, Animal Welfare
The
National Pork Board in Clive, IA, seeks a dynamic person to become a manager
within our animal science function. This person will be responsible for assisting in
the implementation of animal welfare and welfare-related programs. The
essential job functions for this position include: oversight of animal care content for National
Pork Board’s various certification programs.
The manager will work cross
departmentally with NPB staff in the areas of communication, producer services,
and social responsibility to provide technical advice
with respect to animal welfare and welfare-related issues. This person
will also assist with coordination of special projects within the animal
welfare program.
The ability to communicate orally and in written
form with producers, veterinarians, and other diverse professionals; capability
to translate animal welfare research and situations for producers and other
audiences. Familiarity with the food chain from farmer to packer/processor to
retail food company. A
minimum of one year experience in a pork production setting or equivalent
experience incorporated in an advanced degree program. Applicants
should have a proven track record of strong project management skills.
BS or MS degree in animal science, animal
physiology or a closely related field with emphasis on animal welfare. A DVM
with experience in animal welfare is also acceptable.
This position may require up to 35% domestic travel
by both air and auto and requires a valid driver’s license and good driving
record.
The National Pork Board has
responsibility for Checkoff-funded research, promotion and consumer information
projects and for communicating with pork producers and the public. The Pork
Checkoff funds national and state programs in advertising, consumer
information, retail and foodservice marketing, export market promotion,
production improvement, technology, swine health, pork safety and environmental
management. Applicants
should be able to support the mission of the organization with enthusiasm to
serve U.S. pork producers.
Qualified candidates should forward their cover
letter, resume and salary requirements by December 31, 2014 to:
No phone calls please.
The National Pork Board, an equal opportunity
employer, offers an exceptional benefits package and work environment. Visit us online at www.pork.org/careers and www.PorkBeInspired.com
STAGE M2 en Dynamique des populations d’insectes
Impact de l’évolution des surfaces cultivées et du réchauffement climatique sur les populations d’insectes ravageurs des cultures de protéagineux dans le Grand Ouest
Contexte
L’autonomie protéique est un enjeu fort des filières d’élevage (porcin, bovin) du grand Ouest pour leur durabilité et leur compétitivité. Les cultures de protéagineux grains (pois, lupin, féverole) destinées à l’alimentation animale constituent des alternatives durables, sur le plan environnemental et économique, aux importations de soja et participe notamment à la limitation de la déforestation dans les régions productrices de soja, et à la réduction de l’utilisation d’intrants dans les exploitations françaises. En effet ces cultures peuvent présenter un intérêt pour réduire la fertilisation via la fixation de l’azote atmosphérique aux cultures suivantes insérées dans une rotation, et d’autre part, elles hébergent une biodiversité fonctionnelle importante pouvant participer au contrôle naturel des ravageurs. Ces cultures souffrent cependant de rendements variables selon les années, dus en grande partie à un manque de maîtrise des facteurs biotiques, tels que les ravageurs, maladies et mauvaises herbes. Les régions Bretagne et Pays de la Loire sont engagées dans un programme visant à sécuriser les rendements de ces cultures pour permettre leur développement, le projet Sécuriprot (2014-2019). L’institut de Génétique, Environnement et Protection des Plantes (UMR INRA-Université de Rennes 1 – Agrocampus Ouest) est fortement impliqué dans ce projet et notamment l’équipe Ecologie et Génétique des Insectes qui coordonne le volet s’intéressant au diagnostic, à la compréhension et à l’expérimentation de solutions agroécologiques pour gérer les insectes ravageurs. Dans ce cadre, une démarche prospective est nécessaire pour prédire l’évolution de la pression en ravageurs dans les prochaines décennies et ainsi participer aux choix stratégiques concernant les espèces prioritaires et les méthodes de contrôle à privilégier au sein du projet.
La dynamique des populations d’insectes ravageurs dépend fortement des conditions climatiques annuelles, et des ressources disponibles dans l’environnement. Le réchauffement climatique peut ainsi entrainer une modification de l’aire de répartition d’une espèce, un avancement de la date de colonisation des parcelles, une meilleure survie hivernale ou une augmentation du nombre de générations par an, et par conséquent avoir un impact sur la pression de dégâts exercée par le ravageur sur les cultures dans une région donnée (Olfert et al., 2012). D’autre part, selon l’hypothèse de concentration de ressource (Root, 1973), une augmentation des surfaces cultivées en fabacées protéagineuses peut s’accompagner d’une augmentation de la densité en ravageurs, mais qui affectera de façon différente les espèces selon leurs degrés de spécialisation respectifs. L’évolution des pratiques et des modes de cultures sur ces parcelles (limitation des produits phytosanitaires, surface relative en Agriculture Biologique) peut également avoir un impact.
Objectif du stage
Le stage proposé s’inscrit dans le cadre du projet inter régional Bretagne – Pays de la Loire Sécuriprot. Il vise à dégager des tendances fortes d’évolution future des dynamiques de population de ravageurs des cultures de protéagineux dans le Grand Ouest dans un contexte de changement climatique et d’augmentation des surfaces. Cette étude sera basée sur l’analyse de données historiques de captures d’insectes réalisées par le réseau Agraphid depuis plus de 30 ans, de données climatiques et d’évolution des surfaces cultivées sur cette même période. Des préconisations concernant les méthodes de suivi, les espèces à cibler et les méthodes de contrôle devront être dégagées. Les insectes ravageurs considérés seront le puceron vert du pois Acyrthosiphon pisum, spécialiste des fabacées, et le puceron noir de la fève Aphis fabae, plus généraliste. Selon les données disponibles, la sitone du pois Sitonia lineatus ou d’autres ravageurs des cultures de protéagineux pourront aussi être intégrés à l’étude.
Les missions du stagiaire:
Effectuer une synthèse bibliographique sur le sujet
Centraliser, harmoniser et mettre en forme les données récoltées par les partenaires du projet
Choisir et créer des indicateurs pertinents pour décrire l’évolution climatique, l’évolution des surfaces et des dynamiques de population d’insectes ravageurs
Analyser les données pour établir des corrélations entre les indicateurs
Interpréter les évolutions passées et en tirer des projections pour le futur
Participer à la définition d’un protocole de suivi des principaux insectes ravageurs des cultures de protéagineux. Des tests en parcelles expérimentales de différents protocoles et dispositifs de piégeage seront réalisés par d’autres personnes impliquées dans le projet. Une participation ponctuelle aux relevés de terrain pourra être nécessaire.
Rédiger un rapport de stage
Profil souhaité
M2 cursus universitaire ou ingénieur/e en biologie ou agronomie avec de solides bases en écologie et dynamique des populations
Compétences et intérêt fort pour l’analyse des données et les statistiques
Connaissances en entomologie
Permis de conduire souhaité
Conditions de travail
Stage co-encadré par Bruno Jaloux (IGEPP, Agrocampus Ouest Angers) et Maurice Hullé (IGEPP, INRA Le Rheu)
Stage de 6 mois, période à déterminer entre février et septembre 2015
Stage basé à Agrocampus Ouest, Centre d’Angers (49) avec séjours fréquents au Rheu (35)
Indemnités : 436,05 € net par mois
Merci d’envoyer un CV et une lettre de motivation à Bruno Jaloux bruno.jaloux@agrocampus-ouest.fr et à Maurice Hullé maurice.hulle@rennes.inra.fr avant le 15 décembre 2014
Avian Field Trainees, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology (Seewiesen), Germany
FIELD TRAINEES needed in fulltime for monitoring and catching breeding passerines at the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, in the research group ‘Evolutionary Ecology of Variation’.
Website: http://www.orn.mpg.de/159079/Research_Group_Dingemanse Location: Seewiesen, Bayern, Germany.
Job description:
The field Trainees will help collect breeding and behavioural data on Great Tits (Parus major) from approximately end of March to mid/end of July 2015. The research focuses primarily on identifying how natural and sexual selection act on animal personalities and behavioural plasticity. Trainees will work closely with an international team consisting of several post-docs, PhD and Master students, as well as other assistants. Field work is physically demanding, and involves walking over hilly terrain for long days outdoors in all weather conditions. The breeding season is intense and with typically only 1 day off per week. Duties include behavioural observations, nest monitoring, bird handling and data entry.
Qualifications/Experience:
Candidates preferably study Biology or a related field. Having experience handling birds (preferably small passerines), including ringing and measuring, is a plus but not a requirement. Ideal candidates are highly motivated, well organized, able to work both independently and as part of a group. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license and be experienced in operating vehicles with manual transmission.
Non-EU candidates are not eligible for this position (UK and Swiss citizens are eligible). A small financial compensation and housing in shared accommodation will be provided. Accepted trainees should be vaccinated against Tick Borne Encephalitis (TBE or FSME) before arriving in Seewiesen. Applicants should also be aware that Lyme disease (carried by ticks) is prevalent in the area and should inform themselves about this disease beforehand.
In an effort to employ more people with disabilities, the Max-Planck-Society specifically encourages people with disabilities to apply for the position.
Applications: Review of the applications will begin mid-January and continue until the positions are filled. To apply, please send (1) a statement of relevant experience, (2) a short resume or CV, and (3) contact information of two references to Alexia Mouchet (eMail: amouchet@orn.mpg.de).
PhD opportunity in Visual Ecology
PhD
position in Visual Ecology (Prof. John Endler)
Summary: We
would like to offer a PhD position aligned with a recently ARC-funded Discovery
project to investigate how animals process highly contrasting colour patterns
using behavioral experiments with guppies or bowerbirds.
Background: Animals often use complex colour patterns to find food, avoid
predation, attract mates and compete for resources. However, after several
decades of research on how (and if) animals perceive colour, and the threshold
at which animals can detect differences between colours, we remain surprisingly
ignorant of how animals process highly contrasting colours.
Second, we have a poor understanding of how these colours interact in complex
patterns that provide signaling or camouflage mechanisms. We aim to understand
how highly contrasting colours are perceived by animals; determine how
different colour pattern elements have to be, relative to their positions, to
maximise visual contrast; and examine highly contrasting colour patterns
in the context of colour-driven tasks in both terrestrial and aquatic
environments.
Your
PhD project will be an important contribution to this work, and will involve:
· Behavioural
experiments with guppies or bowerbirds
· Fieldwork
· Neurobiological
methods and visual modelling
Location: You will be based at Deakin
University, Geelong, Australia in the laboratory of Prof. John Endler. You will
have access to world-class equipment and made-to-order facilities, and also
stimulating academic environment in the Centre for Integrative Ecology. You
will also work in collaboration with Dr. Karen Cheney and Prof. Justin Marshall
at the University of Queensland, Brisbane with further opportunity to work with
international colour vision experts Prof. Daniel Osorio (University of Sussex,
UK) and Prof. Misha Vorobyev (University of Auckland, NZ).
Funding: We
will help you to apply for a PhD scholarship to cover your tuition fees and
stipend. Depending on your nationality and location, this could include:
Australian Postgraduate Award (APA, Australian students); International
Postgraduate Research Scholarship (IPRS, international students), or a similar
scholarship from your own country. The ARC Discovery Project will cover travel,
fieldwork and experimental costs.
We encourage high quality candidates to
contact us directly at:
Prof. John Endler (john.endler@deakin.edu.au)
(please note: in the field until beginning of Jan)
Dr. Karen Cheney (k.cheney@uq.edu.au)
PhD positions in vertebrate ecology
Various
competitively-funded PhD positions are available for excellent applicants to
study the ecology of vertebrates with the Conservation Ecology Group at Durham
University. Note that these projects vary in their funding restrictions:
some are restricted to UK applicants but a couple are open to any
applicant. Please see the specifics of the projects and, if in doubt, ask
the named contact.
Details are
here:
Deadlines
are 9th Jan or 2nd of Feb, depending on funding.
--
Dr Philip A.
Stephens
Biological and
Biomedical Sciences
Durham University
South Road, Durham
DH1 3LE, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 191 334
9102 (internal: 49102)
Home page:
Twitter:
@PS_Applied_Ecol
Group page:
Twitter: @CEGDurham
Behaviour, Ecology
& Evolution Research at Durham:
BEER is pleased to
be hosting the 2015 ASAB Easter meeting:
Site colloque SFECA 2015
Le
site du colloque SFECA 2015 est désormais ouvert. Vous pouvez vous inscrire au
colloque à l'adresse suivante:
Une fois connecté sur le site, il faudra tout d'abord vous pré-inscrire. Après
validation, vous pourrez procéder à l'inscription définitive. Vous pourrez
également y déposer vos abstracts.
Pour rappel:
- Date limite d'inscription en early bird : le 28
février 2015 (pour les étudiants et statutaires Sfeca).
-
- l'appel à Symposia :
avant le 15 janvier 2015
-
Date
limite de soumission des abstracts : 2 mars 2015
11th ‘Ecology & Behaviour’ meeting
We are pleased to announce the call for abstracts for the 11th ‘Ecology and Behaviour’ meeting that will take place in Toulouse (France) from May 18th to May 21tst 2015.
This international meeting is an excellent place of exchange for young researchers (PhD students and post-docs) working in the field of ecology, evolutionary biology and animal behaviour. Every year the conference gathers about a hundred participants from all over Europe and the high success of the previous editions has been the best proof of its high scientific quality.
Six thematic sessions have been defined for this 11th edition: (1) Movement ecology, (2) Cognition: memory and learning, (3) Social and sexual selection, (4) Interspecific interactions and coevolution, (5) Population ecology and individual variability, (6) Biodiversity facing global changes.
In order to facilitate the participation of young researchers in this conference the Association of the ‘Ecology and Behaviour’ Meeting will provide accommodation and lunches to the attendees. The registration for the participants presenting their work as a poster or oral communication will be either free (PhD students) or for a reduced fee (post-docs).
Submit an abstract
We invite you to submit the abstract of your poster or oral communication on our website : http://eb2015.sciencesconf.org/.
The deadline for online abstract submission is on Friday, February 13th 2015 (for luck purposes).
Additional information
Our website (http://eb2015.sciencesconf.org/) is regularly updated and contains all the information regarding the submission of abstracts, the registration for the conference, the scientific program, the invited lecturer, the location of housing…
In case of any questions, please contact us by email: eb2015@sciencesconf.org.
Feel free to forward this message to any people that might be interested in attending the 11th edition of the ‘Ecology and Behaviour’ meeting.
Looking forward to meeting you in Toulouse!
The organizers.
lundi 15 décembre 2014
Séminaire « Des Animaux de Compagnie aux Espèces Compagnes »
1. Responsables scientifiques
- Sébastien Mouret (Sociologue, INRA, UMR Innovation, Montpellier SupAgro)
- Jérôme Michalon (Sociologue, Environnement, Ville, Sociétés (UMR 5600)/Centre Max Weber (UMR 5283))
Contacts : mouret_s@hotmail.com ; jerome.michalon@gmail.com
Entités organisatrices : Association « Imaginaires et Pratiques des Relations »
AnthropoZoologiques » IPRAZ et le groupe de recherche Animal’s Lab.
Partenaires : Fondation Adrienne & Pierre Sommer et l’Observatoire CNIEL des Habitudes Alimentaires.
2. Enjeux et objectifs du séminaire
Comment vivre ensemble entre humains et animaux ? La question de savoir comment changer nos rapports aux animaux de manière à ce que ceux-ci ne soient plus seulement considérés comme de simples moyens mais aussi comme des fins, suscite un intérêt croissant tant de la part de la communauté scientifique, que du grand public. Les réponses à cette question éthique et politique peuvent se formuler au travers d’un travail empirique d’exploration et de compréhension des relations que les humains entretiennent avec des animaux, afin de rendre compte de leur histoire, leur diversité et leur complexité. Si celles-ci sont marquées par la violence, l’indifférence, le mépris et l’abandon, elles sont aussi faites de plaisir, l’épanouissement, d’amour, de confiance, de respect et d’intelligence pour les humains comme pour les animaux. En ce sens, elles représentent donc une ressource pour penser les modalités d’un monde commun entre humains et animaux, et clarifier les conditions qui rendent possible ou empêchent son existence.
Longtemps appréciée pour son « exotisme », l’étude des relations entre humains et animaux fait aujourd’hui place à un intérêt sérieux et fécond de la part de sociologues. Leurs travaux se sont appuyés, entre autres, sur le renouvellement de la division ontologique classique personnes/objets par celle d’humains/non humains, initié par la sociologie pragmatiste. Ces recherches contribuent au développement, en France, d’un champ de recherches en sciences humaines et sociales encore balbutiant, à la différence de ce que les Anglo-saxons nomment Animal Studies, dont les recherches sont structurées sous la forme d’une communauté pluridisciplinaire où le souci éthique vis-à-vis de l’animal occupe une place centrale. Il nous semble aujourd’hui nécessaire et important, d’une part, d’éclairer le peu d’intérêt porté par la sociologie à la présence d’animaux dans la vie sociale des humains et, d’autre part, de proposer de nouvelles distinctions théoriques et nouveaux outils conceptuels et méthodologiques permettant de saisir le sens et l’importance de la socialité entre humains et animaux. Sur ces deux points, la notion « d’animaux de compagnie » appelle une attention particulière.
Le séminaire aura un double objectif : (1) dresser un état des lieux des recherches sociologiques et historiques autour de l’animal de compagnie, mais également autour de la notion même d’animal de compagnie ; (2) déplier les perspectives que nous offrent différents travaux sur les relations entre humains et animaux pour mieux penser le terme de « compagnie », voire le redéfinir.
2.1 Qu’est ce qu’un « animal de compagnie » ?
Une partie de ce séminaire sera consacrée à la recension et à l’analyse des travaux ayant traité de « l’animal de compagnie » en sociologie et en anthropologie. Il s’agira de voir quels propos ont été tenus sur la relation de compagnie entre les humains et les animaux, mais aussi et surtout de préciser les contours qui ont été retenus par les chercheurs pour définir cette relation « de compagnie ». Quelles espèces animales ont été désignées sous le vocable « de compagnie » ? A quels groupes sociaux a-t-on associé la relation de compagnie ? La notion « animal de compagnie » en elle-même fera l’objet d’une généalogie : à partir de quelle période ce terme est-il utilisé ? Par qui ? Dans quels espaces linguistiques ? Est-ce que les sens qu’il revêt dans différentes langues sont équivalents ? Il faudra donc prendre en compte l’instabilité de la notion au niveau diachronique et au niveau synchronique : par exemple, pourquoi l’ « animal de compagnie » est-il préféré à l’ « animal familier » ? Outre ce travail sur les catégories, il sera question d’évoquer les postures de recherche qui ont été mobilisés pour appréhender l’objet « animal de compagnie ». Si, de prime abord, les approches critiques et/ou normatives semblent avoir dominé le champ, notamment dans le monde francophone, nous nous attacherons à identifier d’autres perspectives, peut être plus compréhensives. D’autre part, les méthodologies mises en oeuvre pour appréhender la relation de compagnie seront examinées. Dans ce premier axe, on cherchera ainsi à examiner de manière rétrospective la relation de compagnie : qu’est-ce qui a fait que cette relation a été identifiée, délimitée et souvent désignée comme un problème, le symptôme d’une certaine décadence du monde occidental ? Mais l’approche sera également prospective dans la mesure où on tentera de proposer d’autres terminologies, permettant de rendre mieux compte de certains enjeux de la relation de compagnie, occultées par les perspectives critiques.
2.2 Au-delà de la compagnie : vers les « espèces compagnes » ?
Le second axe de ce séminaire part de la proposition formulée par Donna Haraway dans son Manifeste des espèces de compagnie quant à la manière d’appréhender les relations anthropozoologiques dans nos sociétés contemporaines, et de répondre aux enjeux ontologiques, éthiques et politiques qui les traversent : comprendre la genèse, la transformation, la complexité et la richesse de ces relations sous la figure – et la catégorie - d’« espèce de compagnie ». Ce traité de biosocialité et de biopouvoir nous invite à voir et penser les relations entre humains et animaux, comme une longue histoire biosociale de relations de compagnonnage. Pour Haraway, il est possible de déceler du « compagnonnage », plus que de la « compagnie », dans presque toutes les relations à l’animal, à condition d’y prêter attention.
Toutefois, il ne s’agit pas dans ce séminaire, et par les communications qui y seront présentées, de proclamer l’adoption ipso facto de cette proposition issue de la philosophie, et d’envisager de suite, sans examen et discussion préalables, la mobilisation dans une réflexion sociologique. Au contraire, ce séminaire a pour visée principale d’apprécier la valeur heuristique de la figure « d’espèces compagnes », dans une réflexion prenant à la fois comme unité d’analyse les relations, ainsi que les êtres qui en sont les principaux objets, à savoir les animaux et les humains. Autrement dit, il s’agit ici de mettre en évidence la fécondité et la portée de cette proposition sur le plan de l’analyse sociologique, tout en soulignant les difficultés que soulèvent sa traduction et sa déclinaison dans ce champ disciplinaire, et les impasses auxquelles son usage peut conduire.
Pour démarrer cette discussion, et définir les principales orientations de ce séminaire, il nous semble que la notion « d’espèces compagnes » opère bien plus qu’un redécoupage, voire une refonte des catégories courantes qui sont mobilisées pour classifier les espèces animales présentes dans la vie sociale des humains : les animaux « sauvages », « d’élevage », « de compagnie », « d’expérimentation » etc. Les « espèces de compagnie » peuvent être vues comme des formes particulières « naturecultures », autrement dit d’intrication et d’entrelacs de la « nature » et de la « culture ». Fondée sur un refus du partage entre les catégories de « nature » et de « culture », « l’espèce de compagnie » désigne et regroupe à la fois de multiples modalités d’association entre humains et animaux, qu’il convient de clarifier à travers différentes dimensions d’analyse : la coévolution, la cohabitation et la socialité interspécifique. Ces trois dimensions appellent selon nous à une attention particulière, car elles permettent d’interroger la pensée sociologique sur ses rapports avec la biologie et l’éthologie ; sa réflexion sur la morale ; et ses façons de définir et de reconnaître un lien social véritable. En ce sens, elle permet de clarifier comment la sociologie peut saisir la présence d’espèces animales dans la vie sociale des humains, et donc s’ouvrir plus largement à la « question animale » et pour peser dans ce débat.
3. Programmation du séminaire 2015
Le séminaire se déroulera sous la forme de séances mensuelles au cours de l’année universitaire 2015. Au cours de chaque séance, les communications des intervenants seront mises en discussion. Le séminaire suit une approche pluridisciplinaire. La plupart des intervenants choisis développent des approches scientifiques des relations entre humains et animaux qui se situent à la frontière entre sciences sociales (sociologie, anthropologie, philosophie) et sciences de la vie (biologie, éthologie).
Programme
- 12 Janvier 2015 : Introduction à la catégorie "animal de compagnie"
Intervenants : J.P. Digard (Anthropologue / CNRS) et J. Porcher (Sociologue / INRA)
14 h – 17 h
Lieu : Salle Chopin/Debussy - CNIEL - 42 rue de Châteaudun 75314 Paris.
- 27 Février 2015 : Accompagner les humains : un travail de soin des animaux
Intervenants : J. Michalon (Sociologue / Centre Max Weber) et C. Mondémé (Linguiste / GEMASS)
14 h – 17 h
Lieu : AgroParisTech, 16 rue Claude Bernard - Paris
- 13 Mars 2015 : L’animal de travail : un animal de compagnie ?
Intervenants : E. Baratay (Historien / Université de Lyon) et N. Lainé (Anthropologue / LESC)
14 h – 17 h
Lieu : Salle Chopin/Debussy - CNIEL - 42 rue de Châteaudun 75314 Paris.
- 10 Avril 2015 : L’animal de compagnie : entre nature et culture
Intervenants : D. Guillo (Sociologue / CNRS) et M. Kreutzer (Éthologue / Université Paris 10)
14 h – 17 h
Paris. Le lieu sera précisé ultérieurement
- 22 Mai 2015 : Soins vétérinaires et « pathologies » de la compagnie
Intervenants : P. Fritsch (Sociologue) et T. Bedossa (Vétérinaire)
14 h – 17 h
Paris. Le lieu sera précisé ultérieurement.
- 19 Juin 2015 : L’agression et compagnie : une antinomie ?
Intervenants : S. Mouret (Sociologue / INRA) et Christophe Blanchard
(Sociologue/Université Paris XIII)
14 h – 17 h.
Paris. Le lieu sera précisé ultérieurement
samedi 13 décembre 2014
PhD studentship available for 2015 in animal social communication & cognition
signalling in
animals: identifying positive affect and its consequences
School of Psychology, University of Sussex
Supervisor: Prof Karen McComb (University of Sussex)
and Dr Leanne Proops (University of Sussex)
Emotional
signalling is a crucial but poorly understood aspect of animal social
behaviour, mediating important social interactions and contributing to an
individual’s ability to form social relationships and reproduce successfully.
One aspect of emotional signalling in animals that has received surprisingly
little attention is the way in which positive emotions are expressed and the
consequences of this signalling both for the individual itself and its
conspecifics. Displaying positive emotions may contribute to building an
individual’s own resilience as well as enhancing its ability to form social
bonds – a possibility that has not been investigated in animals. Moreover, it
is now recognised that animal welfare should be assessed not simply by the
absence of negative emotions, but also by the presence of positive ones, so a
systematic study of how positive emotions are expressed in a range of species
would have considerable applied value. The PhD student would use techniques
developed in our lab for quantifying animal facial expressions (and
vocalisations) in order to identify cues that are consistently associated with
positive emotional experiences. They would also explore the relationship
between signals with positive emotional valence and physiological and
behavioural measures of coping behaviour. Work on domestic horses would provide
a starting point for this study, but the project would look at parallels in
cues used to signal positive emotion across a range of different mammal species
and their relationship to individual coping mechanisms and social behaviour.
Applications should
be made by Friday 30th January 2015. The award of the studentship
will be based on a competitive process. If awarded, it would be a full-time
studentship (funded for a duration of three years) covering tuition fee, and a
maintenance allowance. The maintenance allowance is currently £13,863 per
annum. There is an expectation to contribute to teaching on a paid basis.
Eligibility
requirements for potential candidates:
· This award will
only pay fees at the Home/EU rate. The maintenance allowance is currently
£13,863 per annum.
· Candidates
must have, or expect to obtain, a First or a high Upper Second Class Honours
undergraduate degree, or equivalent qualification, and/or a Master's degree in
Psychology or a related discipline.
Guidance for
applicants:
Please send your initial
enquires by email for the attention of 'Postgraduate Coordinator' to: psychology@sussex.ac.uk
If you wish to discuss the
details of this PhD project further please contact Prof Karen McComb (karenm@sussex.ac.uk)
Applications should be
submitted to the University of Sussex online postgraduate application system (http://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/pg/applying/2015entry)
by Friday 30th January 2015.
Please submit your online
application together with:
· A research
statement that briefly outlines our current state of knowledge, hypotheses that
could be addressed, and an outline of potential methods. Your answer should not
exceed 2 pages including references, be set at minimum 10 font type with
margins a minimum of 1cm.
· A
teaching-related statement that addresses the normal expectation that you
contribute to teaching of statistics and research methods (up to 300 words).
An up to date CV
· A current
degree transcript(s) with full details of performance on all completed courses
Two academic references
The proposed source of funding
should be specified as 'GTA’.
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