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.