Postdoc-Position:
Reducing Daily Energy Expenditure as an Adaptive Responses to Droughts:
Physiology and Behavior
(University of the Witwatersrand, South Arica; Succulent Karoo Research
Station; CNRS Strasbourg, France)
A 24 month postdoc position is available in the fields of Eco-Physiology
and Behavioral Ecology in the Striped Mouse Research Group www.stripedmouse.com of Neville Pillay http://www.wits.ac.za/academic/science/apes/staff/academicstaff/pillay/7019/ and Carsten Schradin http://www.iphc.cnrs.fr/-Carsten-Schradin-.html. The postdoc will be employed by the University of the Witwatersrand,
collect data in the field at the Succulent Karoo Research Station, and do lab
work at the Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien, Département d'Ecologie
Physiologie et Ethologie (DEPE), France's largest eco-physiology lab with one
the world’s best isotope laboratories lead by Stephane Blanc http://www.iphc.cnrs.fr/-Stephane-Blanc-.html.
Research topic. Biologists study how
species survive and reproduce in a changing world. The postdoc will study
behavioral and physiological adaptation to droughts, one consequence of global
warming, asking whether and how individuals can decrease their energy
expenditure during periods with low food availability. Energy availability
restricts survival and reproduction and often changes seasonally, such that animals
have to adjust their energy expenditure. Measuring changes in resting metabolic
rate (RMR) can help us to understand the extent to which animals can reduce
their basal metabolism during periods of food shortage. Behavioral changes,
especially reduced activity, might reduce energy expenditure to a larger extent
than a reduction in RMR can, and both processes might co-occur. Thus, to answer
the question how animals can cope with reduced energy availability it is
crucial to understand whether they can reduce daily energy expenditure (DEE)
and to measure changes in both behavior and in RMR to understand the underlying
mechanisms.
The postdoc will study striped mice (Rhabdomys
pumilio) in South Africa during their annual dry season. The field site is
well established, and the population has been permanently monitored by a team
at the research station for over a decade. All field techniques have been used
successfully previously but not in combination. The postdoc will measure RMR
using respirometry, and he / she will do behavioral observations to determine
activity budgets. Blood samples will be collected and analyzed in Strasbourg to
determine DEE, water turnover, and body composition using the doubly-labeled
water method.
Objectives
1. Compare RMR between moist and dry seasons.
2. Compare activity budgets between moist and dry season.
3. Compare DEE between moist and dry season.
4. By comparing results obtained from 3. with 1. and 2. we will be able to
estimate the level of energy savings due to reduction in RMR and reduction in
activity.
5. We can also calculate the water turnover and thus water savings due to
reduced energy expenditure, which will be crucial to survive drought periods
characterized by water limitation.
6. We will determine body composition (fat content) during different
seasons.
Salary: This position is funded by the
University of the Witwatersrand with a very competitive salary of R154 000/
year, which allows for a comfortable standard of living in South Africa. In
addition, medical aid is paid by the University as well as relocation costs of
R10 000.
Starting date: May 2014.
Profile and requirements for the
candidate:
·
Must have ontained
the PhD within the last 5 years (2009 or later)
·
You can produce
outstanding academic results!
·
Strong background in
eco-physiology and/or behavioral ecology.
·
Very good writing
skills proven by a good publication record.
·
Enthusiastic about
field work with the willingness to spend 6-9 months /year in the field.
·
Good personal skills
and working with an established research team.
·
Good technical
skills.
·
Strong experimental,
analytical and statistical skills.
·
Good organizational
skills and the ability to work independently.
Applicants should send a cover letter detailing their motivation and
expectations from this position, and a CV (combined into a single PDF), as well
as contact information for two or more referees to Neville Pillay (Neville.Pillay@wits.ac.za) and Carsten Schradin (carsten.schradin@iphc.cnrs.fr).
Deadline: For full consideration, send your application until the 16th
February. Skype interviews are scheduled for end of February / beginning of
March