Post-doctoral position (2 years) in stress ecophysiology

The iEES Paris at University Pierre and Marie Curie (Paris, France) is searching for a qualified candidate for the position of postdoctoral associate for a 2-years appointment. The post-doctoral associate will contribute to an ongoing project on stress ecophysiology to link patterns of habitat degradation with the glucorticoid stress responses and ensuing demographic consequences. This project is supported by the ANR "Jeunes chercheurs" funding and will include close collaborations with a PhD student.

A challenge to ecologists and conservation biologists is predicting organismal responses to fast environmental changes and increasing occurrences of extreme events. The emerging field of conservation physiology attempts to determine the physiological responses of organisms to environmental changes in order to elucidate physiological constraints and opportunities to cope with environmental shifts. Ultimately, information on physiological capacity can be used to predict ecological consequences of global changes. Here, we will use a model vertebrate species, the common lizard (Lacerta vivipara), to understand physiological and demographic effects of habitat degradation. In reptiles, physiological response to habitat degradation involves secretion of glucocorticoids (corticosterone) that have strong organizational effects within and between generations. This project will thus couple physiological and demographic approaches in order to characterize hormonal responses to habitat degradation via glucocorticoid secretion. It includes two related research projects: (1) a correlative study of hormonal, immunological and life history syndromes associated with habitat degradation in a natural gradient of habitat quality (Massif central, France) done in collaboration with Jean Clobert (CNRS, Station d’Ecologie Experimentale du CNRS, Moulis, France); and (2) a detailed functional study of the stress response by developing innovative physiological indicators using HPLC analyses.

Candidates should meet the following requirements: (1) have a PhD in ecology, physiology, or a related field; (2) have a certified background in ecophysiology and population ecology, and a knowledge of stress-related physiology, (3) be creative and independent, and (4) have a good track record of publications. Candidates are welcome to come with their own ideas provided they are feasible during the time frame of the project

The post-doctoral student will be recruited by the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique in the laboratory iEES Paris and will be supervised by Sandrine Meylan & Jean-François Le Galliard. The position is available for a period of two years starting preferably in February 2015. Salary is in the range €22,000–28,000 per year depending on experience. Review of applications will begin on November 15, 2014, and continue until the position is filled.

Applications should be sent to smeylan@snv.jussieu.fr. Applications should include a curriculum vitae including a full list of publications, a brief description of research interests, and a list of at least one reference familiar with the applicant’s qualifications and experience.

Assistant Professor in Ethology

The Department of Zoology at Stockholm University has just opened a search for an Assistant Professor in Ethology.

This is a four-year tenure-track position, with a career path with the opportunity for promotion to a permanent position as Associate Professor in Ethology at the department*.

The field of ethology explains behavior, using micro- and/or macroevolutionary perspectives, through integration of mechanistic and adaptive approaches.

The assistant professorship consists mainly of research but also some teaching  (typically ca. 10% of the time) and supervision. At the Department of Zoology, research is being pursued in ecology, ethology, functional morphology, population genetics and systematics and evolution. The spirit of research is collaborative, both within the department and internationally. The department has a total of 16 permanent Associate Professor/Full Professor positions, and presently accommodates 45-50 staff and about the same number of PhD students.

Research in ethology at the department currently covers a wide range of topics, including behavior, cognition and brain size in guppies, the ontogeny of social behavior in dogs and wolves, insect phenology, evolution of phenotype determination, predator psychology and the evolution of aposematism and mimicry in bird-insect interactions, bird migration, comparative methods, personality and social dominance in fowl, and foraging behavior in red deer and fallow deer. The department has laboratory space for large-scale studies of insects and fishes at the Stockholm campus, and also a large and well-equipped field station with great opportunities for ethological studies.

Informal inquiries can be made to Prof. Olof Leimar (olof.leimar@zoologi.su.se). Note that applications should be submitted through the Stockholm University website, where further details also are available:

http://www.su.se/english/about/vacancies/lecturers-researchers/assistant-professor-in-ethology-1.208390

Closing Date: Monday 15 December 2014

* Decisions about promotion will be based on the research and teaching expertise of the person awarded the assistant professorship, as evaluated in the fourth year of the position. For an ambitious and successful person, the chances of promotion are very high. Seehttp://www.science.su.se/english/rules-regulations/guidelines-for-employment-recruitement-1.67131  for a document detailing the formal requirements for promotion to associate professor.

Olof Leimar, Professor

Department of Zoology

Stockholm University

SE-106 91 Stockholm

Sweden

olof.leimar@zoologi.su.se

http://www.zoologi.su.se/research/leimar/

Proposition pour un stage de master 1

Proposition pour un stage de master 1

(mars à juin 2015)

en écologie des guildes d’insectes pollinisateurs

Sujet : Détection d’une éventuelle compétition pour les ressources alimentaires entre les espèces d’abeilles (apiformes) sauvages et élevées, pendant la période de la miellée du romarin sur le territoire du Conservatoire littoral de la Côte bleue (13).

Structure d’accueil et cadre du stage

Le stagiaire sera reçu par l’unité Abeilles et Environnement (UR 406) du centre Inra-PACA à Avignon, au sein du laboratoire Pollinisation & Ecologie des Abeilles.

Le stage proposé s’intègre dans un projet de recherche contracté avec le Conservatoire littoral de la Côte bleue (maître d’ouvrage), en partenariat avec l’ADAPI (Association de développement de l’apiculture provençale).

Contexte de la recherche

Le romarin (Rosmarinus officinalis) est une plante mellifère connue et appréciée des apiculteurs qui peuvent profiter de ses floraisons précoces et souvent abondantes. Les miellées de romarin donnent un miel monofloral typé et permettent un redémarrage des colonies d’abeilles mellifères tôt en fin d’hiver.

Les floraisons naturelles de romarin bénéficient des aménagements mis en œuvre par le Conservatoire littoral pour la préservation du paysage historique des pâturages pour les élevages caprins, créés et entretenus à partir de la garrigue basse à chênes kermès.

La miellée de romarin étant très attractive, de nombreux apiculteurs apportent de nombreuses ruches sur le territoire du Conservatoire littoral de la Côte bleue. La question se pose du possible effet négatif de ces importations pour les insectes autochtones qui dépendent du butinage des mêmes fleurs.

Objectif du stage

L’objectif du stage est de tester une ou plusieurs mesures précoces et simples de la compétition pour les ressources alimentaires.

Le stagiaire participera aux campagnes de prises de données sur le terrain (captures des abeilles, mesures et notations) et aux premières études de ces données.

Profil requis

Étudiant en master 1, cursus universitaire ou d’ingénieur en biologie ou agronomie avec de solides bases en écologie. Intérêt et aptitudes pour le travail de terrain.

Période de stage : mars à juin 2015 (4 mois).

Allocation de stage : Environ 430 euros/mois.

Candidature : CV détaillé incluant les coordonnées de deux référents + lettre de motivation

Contact :  guy.rodet@paca.inra.fr

La sélection commencera sur les dossiers reçus jusqu’au 17 novembre et se poursuivra jusqu'à ce que le poste soit pourvu. Les candidatures pourront être reçues après le 17 novembre mais au risque que le poste soit pourvu (renseignement auprès de Guy Rodet,  guy.rodet@paca.inra.fr).

Lectures utiles

Fournier A, Rollin O, Le Féon V, Decourtye A,  Henry M (2014). Crop-Emptying Rate and the Design of Pesticide Risk Assessment Schemes in the Honey Bee and Wild Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Journal of economic entomology, 107(1) : 38-46.

Hudewenz A, Klein A-M (2013). Competition between honey bees and wild bees and the role of nesting resources in a nature reserve. J Insect Conserv 17:1275–1283.

Rollin O, Bretagnolle V, Decourtye A, Aptel J, Michel N, Vaissière BE, Henry M (2013). Differences of floral resource use between honey bees and wild bees in an intensive farming system.   Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 179:78– 86.

Proposition stage M1 (2 mois) Dijon

Nous recherchons un(e) étudiant(e) de M1 intéressé(e) par l'écologie comportementale et l'immuno-écologie pour travailler sur le lien entre personnalité et résistance aux pathogènes chez le ténébrion meunier. Le stage est prévu pour une durée de 2 mois entre février et avril 2015 en fonction des contraintes de la personne recrutée.

Encadrement :

Karine Monceau, Yannick Moret, F.-X. Dechaume-Moncharmont, Jérôme Moreau

Laboratoire d’accueil :

UMR CNRS 6282 Biogéosciences – Université de Bourgogne (Dijon)

Sujet du stage:

La compréhension de l’évolution des variations comportementales interindividuelles (personnalité) a poussé à intégrer les traits comportementaux aux traits d’histoire de vie étudiés plus classiquement (Réale et al. 2010). Les effets de plusieurs pressions de sélection (compétition et prédation notamment) ont déjà été étudiés alors que l’impact du parasitisme a été relativement négligé bien que ce soit une pression sélective importante (Barber & Dingemanse 2010). En effet, le parasitisme a, d’une part, un impact sur les traits relatifs aux défenses immunitaires, et d’autre part, il peut être soit la cause (différence de comportements entre sains et parasités) soit la conséquence (probabilités d’acquisition de parasites différentes en fonction du comportement) de la variation comportementale entre individus. Si les variations comportementales entre individus sont adaptatives, elles devraient covarier avec les paramètres immunitaires. Par exemple, un individu au comportement « risqué » devrait avoir un système immunitaire plus efficace contre les parasites. Le but de ce stage est de tester la relation entre traits de personnalité (activité, exploration, néophobie alimentaire et grégarisme) et résistance aux infections chez les mâles adultes ténébrions (Tenebrio molitor). Les individus seront testés grâce aux tests comportementaux déjà définis et utilisés au laboratoire et leur résistance à une infection par une bactérie entomopathogène sera par la suite testée.

Références :

Barber I, Dingemanse N (2010) Parasitism and the evolutionnary ecology of animal personality. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B 365, 4077-4088.

Réale D, Garant D, Humphries MM, Bergeron P, Careau V, Montiglio P-O (2010) Personality and the emergence of the pace-of-life syndrome concept at the population level. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B 365, 4051-4063.

Techniques mises en œuvres :

-        Analyses comportementales

-        Challenge immunitaire

-        Elevage d’insectes

-        Microbiologie

Qualités recherchées chez les candidats :

-        Connaissances en biologie évolutive et écologie comportementale

-        Rigueur

-        Autonomie

-        Goût pour l'expérimentation en comportement animal

Candidatures :

Pour candidater, merci de m’envoyer par mail (karine.monceau@u-bourgogne.fr) un CV et une lettre de motivation. N’hésitez pas à me contacter pour des informations complémentaires.

Proposition stage M1 (2 mois) Dijon

Nous recherchons un(e) étudiant(e) de M1 intéressé(e) par l'écologie comportementale pour travailler sur l’impact de la métamorphose sur la personnalité chez un insecte holométabole, le ténébrion meunier. Le stage est prévu pour une durée de 2 mois entre février et avril 2015 en fonction des contraintes de la personne recrutée.

Encadrement :

Karine Monceau, F.-X. Dechaume-Moncharmont, Yannick Moret, Jérôme Moreau

Laboratoire d’accueil :

UMR CNRS 6282 Biogéosciences – Université de Bourgogne (Dijon)

Sujet du stage:

Au cours de la vie d’un individu, les paramètres physiologiques peuvent changer de manière drastique que ce soit durant le développement (ontogénie) ou le vieillissement (sénescence). Ceci est d’autant plus vrai chez les organismes passant par une métamorphose complète comme les insectes holométaboles subissant notamment un remaniement important au niveau neuronal (Consoulas et al. 2000). Ainsi, des changements importants en termes de personnalité peuvent être observés chez certaines espèces entre le stade juvénile et le stade adulte. Par exemple, chez le grillon mâle Gryllus integer, la hardiesse n’est pas constante entre le stade juvénile et le stade adulte, les juvéniles étant plus hardis que les adultes (Hedrick and Kortet 2012). L’évolution des traits de personnalité chez les espèces holométaboles (passant par une métamorphose complète) a reçu très peu d’intérêt à ce jour. Le but de ce stage est donc de tester l’existence, le maintien ou les changements entre le stade larvaire et le stade adulte de ces traits de personnalité (activité, exploration, néophobie alimentaire, grégarisme) chez le ténébrion meunier (Tenebrio molitor). Les tests comportementaux précédents nous ont permis de mettre en évidence des différents traits de personnalité chez les adultes. Ces tests peuvent être facilement adaptés afin de tester les larves et donc essayer de savoir si la mue imaginale est source de perturbations comportementales chez cette espèce.

Références :

Consoulas, C., Duch, C., Bayline, R.J. and Levine R.B. 2000. Behavioral transformations during metamorphosis: Remodeling of neural and motor systems. Brain Research Bulletin, 53, 571–583.

Hedrick, A.V. and Kortet, R. 2012. Sex differences in the repeatability of boldness over metamorphosis. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 66, 407-412.

Techniques mises en œuvres :

-        Analyses comportementales

-        Elevage d’insectes

Qualités recherchées chez les candidats :

-        Connaissances en biologie évolutive et écologie comportementale

-        Rigueur

-        Autonomie

-        Goût pour l'expérimentation en comportement animal

Candidatures :

Pour candidater, merci de m’envoyer par mail (karine.monceau@u-bourgogne.fr) un CV et une lettre de motivation. N’hésitez pas à me contacter pour des informations complémentaires.

Proposition pour un stage de 2 mois niveau Master 1

Projet de doctorat: Écologie évolutive de l’Hirondelle bicolore

Je cherche un(e) étudiant(e) au niveau PhD intéressé(e) à joindre mon groupe de recherche au département de biologie de l’Université de Sherbrooke (leme.recherche.usherbrooke.ca), à compter de mai 2015.

Le projet de recherche portera sur l’analyse des déterminants des paternités hors-couples chez l’Hirondelle bicolore (Tachycineta bicolor). La personne recrutée bénéficiera de données récoltées dans le cadre d’une étude à long terme dans le Sud du Québec, incluant un pedigree couvrant une période de plus de 10 ans et des données biologiques récoltées sur plus de 11000 individus. Le candidat contribuera à la récolte des données sur le terrain, qui se déroulent pendant 2-3 mois à chaque printemps. Idéalement, le candidat aura de l’expérience avec la manipulation d’oiseaux et de bonnes connaissances en analyses statistiques, génétiques et en écologie évolutive.

Les personnes intéressées doivent envoyer un CV, une lettre de motivation et coordonnées de deux personnes-références avant le 22 novembre 2014 à Dany Garant : Dany.Garant@Usherbrooke.ca

Merci,

Dany Garant

-------------------------------------------------------------

Dany Garant

Professeur

Département de Biologie

Faculté des Sciences

Université de Sherbrooke

Sherbrooke, QC

J1K 2R1, Canada

Tel: (819) 821-8000 ext.63198

Fax: (819) 821-8049

Courriel: Dany.Garant@USherbrooke.ca

PhD in avian foraging behaviour and ecotoxicology

NERC funded CASE PhD in the Environment Department at the University of York

Title: Exposure risk and effects of neonicotinoid insecticides to farmland birds.

More intensive arable and animal farming require ever increasing amounts of pesticides to maintain productivity. The sustainable use of pesticides is vital if we are to maintain ecosystem services (e.g. clean water, biodiversity, recreational and spiritual benefits from charismatic wildlife). Evidence is accumulating that the widespread prophylactic usage of NN insecticides is having a variety of unexpected impacts on non-target organisms and ecosystem services. Neonicotinoids (NNs), the world’s most widely used insecticides are believed to harm bees and other pollinating insects. This has led to a two-year EU suspension on three NN products began at the end of 2013. However, NNs are still used as a seed dressing for crops such as cereals and beet.

Recent research has suggested a link between the use of NNs and declines in numbers of farmland birds. However, the research only looks at associations at a large spatial scale with no evidence for the mechanisms involved. Direct toxic effects on birds are possible i.e. consumption of feeds coated with NNs and/or consumption of plants or insects that have taken up NNs. This might result in death or reduced reproduction but also non-lethal effects such as changes in health foraging behavior that will affect fitness. This project will integrate field, lab and aviary studies to determine whether NNs can move through the food chain exposing birds to lethal or sublethal concentrations. In addition, the student will experimentally manipulate exposure to NNs to determine whether NNs cause changes in the behaviour, physiology or health of birds. 

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) are CASE partners for this studentship, as it links in with their long-term ambition to reverse farmland bird declines population declines.  The RSPB will provide field support and student supervision for this project. This project will suit a student wishing to work in applied ecology and conservation. Experience in fieldwork, particularly with birds will be an advantage.

This project is part of the NERC Doctoral Training Partnership in Adapting to the Challenges of a Changing Environment (ACCE) and  will be supervised by Dr Kathryn Arnold (York), Professor Richard Shore (CEH), Professor Colin Brown (York)  & Dr Will Peach (RSPB).

The project will start Oct 2015 and is competitively funded. UK/EU students only.

For further information and to discuss your suitability for this project please email: Kathryn.Arnold@york.ac.uk

--

Dr Kathryn Arnold,

Lecturer,    

Environment Dept,

University of York,

York YO10 5DD, UK

Tel: (44) 01904 322997

Kathryn.Arnold@york.ac.uk

My University of York Website

My Google Scholar Site

Special Issue of Phil Trans B 

Twitter: @KateArnold14

PhD in Behavioral Ecology and Ecosystem management

NERC funded CASE PhD in the Environment Department at the University of York

Title: The effects of peatland restoration on the breeding and foraging of European Nightjars 

Ecological restoration of key habitats is going to play an increasingly important role in conservation, as we tackle the challenges of changing societal demands on land and water resources, as well as changes in climate. However, we still lack much of the understanding required to ensure that our restoration efforts are effective.

Lowland peatland is one habitat that is under significant threat from environmental and societal change. It is important in providing many ecosystem services, and is also a critical habitat for many threatened species. One of the most charismatic of these is the European nightjar. This project will focus on the effects of a large-scale peatland restoration on a population of European nightjars.

The British nightjar population declined throughout much of the 20th century, due mainly to loss of peat and heathland, the nightjar’s traditional feeding and breeding habitats. Although the population has increased in numbers in recent decades, its range has not expanded, and more information is needed on the individual- and habitat-level responses of nightjars to peatland management interventions.

Natural England, the CASE partner on this studentship project, has been awarded a grant from the EU LIFE+ programme to support important conservation work on Humberhead Peatlands NNR, near Doncaster. The site is designated as a Special Area of Conservation for its habitat and as a Special Protection Area for its importance as a breeding habitat for nightjars.

This studentship will involve monitoring the responses of a breeding population of nightjars to the active restoration of the peatland. Working with staff from Natural England, the student will track nightjars fitted with electronic tags to determine their foraging and breeding habitat preferences. Seasonal variation in the consumption of invertebrates will be determined using pellet analysis and a molecular barcode approach. Traditional ecological methods for censusing nightjars will be compared with non-invasive genetic profiling. Finally, the breeding habitat preferences and nesting success of individual nightjars following the peatland restoration will be determined and compared with the long-term historical data.

This project is part of the NERC Doctoral Training Partnership in Adapting to the Challenges of a Changing Environment (ACCE) and  will be supervised by Dr Kathryn Arnold (York), Dr Alistair Darby (Liverpool), Professor Piran White (York)  & Dr Julian Small (Natural England).

The project will start Oct 2015 and is competitively funded. UK/EU students only.

For further information and to discuss your suitability for this project please email: Kathryn.Arnold@york.ac.uk

--

Dr Kathryn Arnold,

Lecturer,    

Environment Dept,

University of York,

York YO10 5DD, UK

Tel: (44) 01904 322997

Kathryn.Arnold@york.ac.uk

My University of York Website

My Google Scholar Site

Special Issue of Phil Trans B 

Twitter: @KateArnold14

offre de stage

offre de stage 2 mois

Master Project

Do Ravens Modify Their Signals According to Their Audience's Comprehension?

We are looking for a motivated student for a master project at the Humboldt Research Group “Comparative Gestural Signalling” at the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany

When people are not fully understood, they persist with attempts to communicate, in order to better convey their meaning. We want to investigate whether captive ravens (Corvus Corax) would use analogous communicative strategies in signaling, and whether they could distinguish different degrees of misunderstanding.

Terms of appointment and qualifications:

•  The project should start in March 2015 and will last for 4-5 months
•  Experience in behavioural biology would be beneficial
•  Because of the rather remote location of our institute, a private car would be recommended

We seek a highly motivated person with organizational skills, able and willing to work independently. You will learn to interact with eight hand-raised ravens, to set up the observation schedule, film the behaviour and experiments, design and develop a coding scheme and analyze the behavioural interactions.

We offer the opportunity to work at one of the leading institutes for bird research in Germany and Europe and to learn methods in comparative research and behavioural biology.

Applications should include a CV, a letter of motivation and contact details of one referee.

Application deadline: 31.12.2014

For further information please contact:

Miriam Sima (Primary contact)

msima@orn.mpg.de

Group Leader:

Dr. Simone Pika : spika@orn.mpg.de

Webpage: www.orn.mpg.de/cgs                

Proposition de stage pour un(e) étudiant(e) souhaitant travailler sur les chevaux cet hiver 2014-2015.

Mots clés : Comportement sexuel, Odeurs, Chevaux

Ce stage peut être ouvert à des étudiants de masters 2 ou de licence professionnelle dans la mesure où ce stage commence en Janvier 2015 pour une durée minimum de 5 mois.

L'objet du travail a pour but

1) d'identifier les odeurs émises par les juments et pouvant stimuler la libido de l’étalons. Une première expérience ayant pour but d’estimer la corrélation entre la sécrétion de ces molécules aux taux circulant des stéroïdes sexuels est en cours. La plus grosse partie de l’expérimentation animale dans les écuries de l'INRA 37380 Nouzilly, est terminée l’étudiant devra aider à la deuxième partie ainsi qu’à l’analyse par dosage RIA des hormones sexuelles. L’analyse des molécules volatiles est faite en Suède. Un financement spécifique a été obtenu auprès du  département phase de l'INRA.

2) de tester sur le comportement sexuel des étalons des molécules volatiles de synthèses en comparaison avec des sécrétions naturelles, cela en hiver (soit en contre saison). Les conditions du teste devront être préalablement validées.

Par ailleurs un projet de thèse sur ce sujet sera déposé auprès de nos instances à la fin de l'année.

Pour permettre le bon déroulement du stage, l’étudiant(e) doit impérativement : lire sans problème l’anglais scientifique, avoir un peu travaillé en laboratoire, connaitre quelques rudiments en chimie organique et en statistiques. De plus, en raison de notre isolement en milieu rural l’étudiant(e) doit impérativement avoir un moyen de transport individuel. Enfin en raison de la manipulation probable d’étalons en dehors de notre structure, l'étudiant(e) doit avoir l’habitude de manipuler les gros animaux et avoir une forme physique compatible avec ce travail. L’étudiant devra également aider aux autres travaux de l’équipe de recherche.  Le choix de l’étudiant(e) se fera sur un entretien préalable.

L'étudiant peut me contacter directement à mon adresse e-mail : dguillau@tours.inra.fr    ou en cas d'absence  Matthieu.Keller@tours.inra.fr 

En vous remerciant par avance pour la diffusion de cette annonce,

Très cordialement

Daniel GUILLAUME PhD HDR

Tel: 33(0)2 47 42 75 11 Fax: 33(0)2 47 42 777 43

Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements :

INRA, UMR85, CNRS, UMR6175, Université de Tours,

F-37380 Nouzilly, France

Contemporary evolution in response to environmental variation in an island bird population

Understanding how natural selection operates in fluctuating environments is fundamental to understanding evolution. Historically, it has been difficult to understand how the environment impinges on the physiological state of wild birds but the recent application of telomere measurement techniques in natural populations now provides a window into this question. This project will be one of the first to combine physiological state, demography (e.g. size, age structure and dynamics) and selection in a wild population.

The student will utilise Sheffield’s unique long-term study of a wild house sparrow population on Lundy Island, providing access to an existing databank and samples covering more than 15 years. The programme of work will explore the relationship between bird survival and fecundity at different stages of the life-course, together with changes in physiological state (with telomere length as a proxy), population demography and other environmental variables. The heritability of these relationships (‘reaction norms’) will also be investigated to determine if fitness differences are transmitted to future generations.  There is flexibility in the programme and the precise direction and emphasis of the project will be determined by collaboration between the student and the supervisors.

The student can expect to receive exceptional training in state-of-the-art analytical methodology and laboratory techniques, including telomere analysis and DNA profiling, as well as benefitting from a well established and rewarding field project.

The PhD project is fully funded with a starting date between January–March 2015. Applicants, who must be residents of the EU and must have a good (i.e. minimum IIi grade) honours degree, a masters degree, or equivalent, in a relevant subject, should  complete an on-line application form via the University admission system (www.shef.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/apply/applying) and should upload a supporting statement explaining why they want to pursue this PhD (maximum 1 page) followed by a short proposal explaining how they would approach the project, including any specific hypotheses (maximum 2 pages including any references). They should also upload their CV. Any enquiries about the project should be directed to Professor Terry Burke (t.a.burke@sheffield.ac.uk).

Applications for this project will be accepted until Monday 3 November 2014.

The Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO) is a top research institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW). NIOO-KNAW focuses on fundamental and strategic research into individual organisms, populations, ecological communities, and ecosystems. The mission is to carry out excellent research in ecology.

The department of Animal Ecology at NIOO-KNAW offers two positions for a PhD-student (m/f)

Vacancy numbers AnE-014032 & AnE-014033

Project description

The overall aim of the project is to estimate the adaptive potential of seasonal timing, an important life-history

trait, in natural populations by studying the genetic basis of the underlying physiological mechanisms and to study natural selection on this trait, using great tits (Parus major) as a study organism. We will create selection lines for seasonal timing of reproduction using genomic selection, and validate the response to this artificial selection in climate controlled aviaries and in the wild. We will measure changes in the physiology underlying timing of reproduction caused by artificial selection and thus identify the components of the physiology which can be affected by natural selection. Furthermore, we will estimate selection on timing of reproduction by introducing selection-line individuals with extreme phenotypes into the wild and measuring their fitness.

PhD student AnE-014032:

The PhD student will measure a number of components of the physiological mechanism underlying the timing of reproduction in the selection lines to determine which components can be altered by artificial selection and hence show genetic variation. The key question that will be addressed is whether these changes occur upstream of the neuroendocrine system (i.e. brain, pituitary), more downstream (gonads, liver) or only at the final stages of egg production. These physiological parameters will be measured in climate controlled aviaries (photoperiod and temperature) to determine physiological differences between the birds of the selection lines. In addition differences in energetic profiles between the selection line birds will be assessed by measuring BMR.

PhD student AnE-014033:

The PhD student will study the causal relationship between timing of reproduction and fitness in the wild by making use of the more-extreme-than-normal phenotypes produced in the selection lines. Eggs from selection line birds will be brought to the wild and offspring recruiting from these eggs will be studied in the following years. Timing of reproduction, reproductive success and subsequent survival of these offspring will be studied in a wild nest-box breeding population. Additionally, detailed measurements will be done on these selection line offspring in the wild, including Daily Energy Expenditure during the egg-laying period and feeding frequencies as well as prey choice during chick feeding period.

These PhD positions form part of a larger project funded by an ERC Advanced grant.

Requirements

AnE-014032: We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic person with an MSc in Ecology or Animal Physiology. Experience with physiological research with birds and licence to carry out animal experiments are of added value. 

AnE-014033: We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic person with an MSc in Ecology or Evolutionary Biology. Experience with fieldwork with birds and licence to carry out animal experiments are of added value.

Appointment

These are temporary appointments, initially for one year and upon satisfactory to be prolonged for a maximum of four years total. The starting date is 1 January 2015.

Salary: 

The gross salary starts at € 2.083, - per month in the 1st year, and will gradually increase to a maximum of € 2.664, - per month in the 4th year, scale P, Collective Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO Nederlandse Universiteiten), excluding 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

Additional information is available upon request from Prof. Dr Marcel E. Visser (+31 (0)317-47 34 39, e-mail: m.visser@nioo.knaw.nl or Dr Phillip Gienapp (+31 (0)6-2034 6271, e-mail: p.gienapp@nioo.knaw.nl). Information on 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 and vacancy number to vacature@nioo.knaw.nl. Clearly indicate which position(s) your apply for. The closing date for the application is 23 October 2014; interviews are scheduled for 11 & 12 November 2014.

PhD position, University of York: Dynamic networks in invasive ant species

Dynamic networks in invasive ant species

Social insects are highly ecologically successful, with ants being among the most dominant groups worldwide. To explain this widespread ecological success, we must understand how they organize their many individual ants into effectively functioning colonies. In one striking form of organization, some of the most dominant ant species spread each colony across multiple social connected nests, a phenomenon called polydomy. All the major invasive ant species have a polydomous nesting system, and polydomy is known to affect foraging success through the formation of a network of nests, connected by trails along which food can be transported. Previous studies of polydomy have focused on static nest networks, while in reality polydomous species, especially invasive ones, flourish in changeable and often unpredictable environments. This project will address the lack of theoretical models of how flexible networks are used to respond to environmental change, for example a fluctuating food supply or challenge from competitors. The primary focus of this project is theoretical modelling; however, there is scope for empirically testing some model predictions on ant colonies in the laboratory or in the field.

How to apply

This project is part of the NERC Doctoral Training Partnership in Adapting to the Challenges of a Changing Environment (ACCE) and  will be co-supervised by Elva Robinson (Biology, University of York), Kate Parr (Earth, Ocean & Ecological Sciences, Liverpool University) and Dan Franks (Computer Science and Biology, University of York). The project will start Oct 2015 and is competitively funded. UK/EU students only. For more information about the project, ACCE and how to apply see: www.york.ac.uk/biology/postgraduate/nercdtp

Informal enquiries are welcome: Elva.Robinson@york.ac.uk

PhD studentship: Ant evolution, University of York

The evolution of the supercolony and the role of parasites

Investigating the evolution of cooperation is essential to explaining the ecological dominance of many social species. The highly successful social insects are often thought of as colonies residing in single internally-cooperative nests. In reality, many ant species form nests that connect cooperatively with neighbouring nests, becoming ‘unicolonial’. Explaining the evolution of unicolonial cooperation is challenging because although conspecifics in these extended colonies are behaving co-operatively, they also compete for resources. Resource competition means that a unicolonial strategy should be vulnerable to cheats who recognise closer kin and cooperate selectively, securing resources for their own near relatives, at the expense of the whole colony. In the light of this potential instability, how does unicoloniality arise and persist? One possibility is that parasitism drives co-occurrence of multiple queens for increased genetic diversity, allowing colonies to split between connected nests. This studentship addresses the current lack of theoretical models of the evolutionary of unicoloniality and the absence of empirical data on the effects of parasitism on unicoloniality.

How to apply

This project will be co-supervised by Elva Robinson (Biology, University of York) and James Marshall (Computer Science, University of Sheffield). The project will start Oct 2015 and is competitively funded. UK/EU students only. If you would like to apply, please send a CV and covering letter to: Elva.Robinson@york.ac.uk

Poste d'ornithologue à la DGAC

Masters or PhD Student

Human-Animal Interaction

Purdue University

Position

A competitive position is available for a highly motivated and promising individual seeking either a Masters or PhD related to Human-Animal Interaction with Dr. Maggie O’Haire. The position will be dually located in the Center for the Human-Animal Bond and the Center for Animal Welfare Science at Purdue University. The research program will involve evaluating outcomes of Human-Animal Interaction for children with autism spectrum disorder and their typically-developing peers. Animals involved in this research program will include a variety of species (e.g. dogs, cats, guinea pigs, fish, and horses).

The successful candidate will be involved in the development of experimental design, data collection, analysis, and scientific writing related to behavioral, psychology, and physiological outcomes of Human-Animal Interaction. There will be a strong focus on behavioral coding of video recorded interactions between children and animals. The student will be expected to work with collaborators and supervise undergraduate students assisting with the research.

Qualifications

The student must have completed a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in a field related to Human-Animal Interaction, including but not limited to: psychology, public health, animal behavior, or medicine.

Qualities

The ideal candidate should exhibit a high level of organization, professionalism, reliability, interpersonal communication skills, and the ability to work both independently and in a team environment.

Experience and Skills

We are seeking excellent candidates with a range of skills. The following are desirable skills and experiences:

 Research or practice with children with autism spectrum disorder and typically developing children

 Research project management

o Developing and carrying out experimental protocols

o Participant recruitment and retention

o Writing consent and debriefing letters

o Database management

 Writing experience

o IRB and IACUC proposals

o Peer-reviewed publications

o Conference abstracts and presentations

 Software experience

o Microsoft Access

o Microsoft Excel VBA

o SPSS or an equivalent statistical software

o Video editing

o Qualtrics or other survey software

o Tablet application development for data collection

 Psycho-physiology experience (collection, processing, and analysis)

o Electrodermal activity

o Cortisol, alpha-amylase (or other salivary assays)

o Heart rate

Remuneration

The position includes a graduate stipend, partial tuition and fee waiver, and health insurance benefits for two years, with the potential of funding for two additional years (for a PhD candidate).

Deadline

Screening of applications will begin immediately and continue until a suitable candidate is found. It is therefore encouraged that applications be submitted as soon as possible.

Application Procedure

Interested candidates should send an inquiry to Barbara White at whiteb@purdue.edu. Interested candidates must apply to the Graduate School through the Department of Comparative Pathobiology. Information on this process can be found at: 

http://www.vet.purdue.edu/cpb/graduate-programs.php#apply. 

Following receipt of these materials, select candidates will be interviewed via Skype or in person. If you have any questions about the application process, you may email whiteb@purdue.edu. Questions regarding the position can be directed to Dr. Maggie O’Haire (mohaire@purdue.edu).

The College of Veterinary Medicine at Purdue University values, nurtures, and respects all members of its community and ensures an environment of inclusive excellence where all students, faculty, and staff are inspired and empowered to achieve their full potential. Purdue University is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce.

For more information on related research projects, see:

www.humananimalinteraction.org