Joyeux 8ème anniversaire...

Le temps passe et ce mois de janvier a vu ce blog souffler 8 bougies d'anniversaire! Je ne pensais pas qu'il durerait autant et qu'il serait si consulté! Ainsi, merci aux lecteurs mais aussi aux nombreux contributeurs qui m'envoient les annonces de PhD, stages, etc.

Une petite carte représentative des nombreuses visites reçues... à travers le monde ! Si la France est loin devant, les lecteurs viennent aussi des USA, d'Allemagne, du Royaume-Uni...

two PhD-positions at Universität Tübingen

(see link below). Feel free to forward the information to students or colleagues that might be interested.

https://www.uni-tuebingen.de/aktuelles/stellenangebote/newsfullview-stellenangebote/article/zwei-stellen-als-wissenschaftlicher-mitarbeiter-in-tvl-e13-50.html

PHD

Department of Ecology in Uppsala
1 PhD student in the research education subject: Biology with spezialisation in ecology

Mitigating conflicts between conservation and farming: predicting hotspots of crop damage caused by large grazing birds The number of large grazing birds (geese, swans and cranes) is increasing in Sweden and many other parts of the world. These birds often aggregate in large numbers at wetlands where they use surrounding agricultural land for foraging, leading to crop damage and reduced income for farmers. We are looking for a PhD-student that will study factors affecting crop damage and occurrence of large grazing birds for mitigating the conflict between conservation measures (e.g. wetland restorations) and agriculture. The PhD-student will use available data on bird numbers and damage but will also perform own field surveys. The data will be used to develop models for predicting areas of damage risk at different spatial levels.
The results will also be used to suggest preventive measures to mitigate damage and conflicts. The position will be placed at the Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Department of Ecology, SLU.

Qualifications
Master’s degree (or equivalent) in biology, with courses in ecology. A high level of both written and spoken English and a driving license are required. Experience from a similar scientific field, scientific publication, applied statistics, geographic information systems (GIS) and field work are also considered as merits. Ability and experience to inform and communicate with stakeholders is also a merit. The applicants are expected to provide (1) a motivation letter, (2) CV, (3) certified copy of degree certificates, (4)copy of a dissertation at second-cycle level, corresponding at least 15 HEC, (5) a certified copy of the passport must be attached if the applicant is a foreign citizen, and (6) a list of at least two referees and their contact information.

Forms for funding or employment
Employment as PhD student 4 years SLU is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
A person has basic eligibility for third level education if he or she has taken a second level qualification or has completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, including at least 60 higher education credits at second level.
Those who met the requirements for general eligibility before July 1st, 2007, i.e. had completed a programme of higher education for at least 180 Higher education credits or the equivalent, will continue to do so until the end of 2015."

Selection among applicants meeting the requirements is made with reference to written application including curriculum vitae, copies of degrees and transcripts of academic records, one copy of the dissertation for masters or undergraduate degree, a list if at least two references familiar with the applicant's qualifications, certified knowledge of the English language and an interview.

Read more about the PhD education in the Handbook for postgraduate students
Read about the PhD education at SLU at www.slu.se/en/education/postgraduate-studies/
 

Further information:
Docent Johan Månsson, Johan.Mansson@slu.se, +46 581-697325
Professor Tomas Pärt, Tomas.Part@slu.se, +46 18-672704
Academic union representatives
SACO Saco-S föreningen SLU +46 (0)18 67 10 85
SEKO Linda Thörnström +46 (0)18 67 10 57
ST Lotta Olsson +46 (0)18 67 15 36
Applications, marked with ref no 64/2016, must have arrived at the Registrar of SLU, P.O. Box 7070, S- 750 07 Uppsala or registrator@slu.se no later than 2016-03-01.

PHD

Department of Ecology in Uppsala
1 PhD student in the research education subject: Biology with specialization in ecology

Dispersal pattern, genetic structure and forecasting establishment in expanding lynx populations We are looking for a PhD-student that will study habitat selection, dispersal patterns and genetic variation in order to forecast establishment patterns of lynx in expanding populations. The PhD-student will use data from radio-collared lynx, monitoring data and DNA from killed or captured lynx. Genetic markers will be developed and analysed based on population and landscape genetic theories to assess spatial genetic structure and gene flow among subpopulations in southern Sweden. A general background to the project is that the lynx population in Sweden has declined in recent years, and colonisation of lynx in southern Sweden is important for the species to reach national management and conservation goals. 

The position will be placed at Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Department of Ecology, SLU.

Qualifications
Master’s degree (or equivalent) in biology, with classes in ecology. University courses in wildlife ecology and molecular ecology are strong merits. Experience from the scientific field, scientific publication, landscape genetics, bioinformatics, applied statistics and geographic information systems (GIS) are also considered as merits. Capacity to and experience of informing and communication with stakeholders is a merit. A high level of both written and spoken English is required. 

The applicants are expected to provide (i) a motivation letter, (ii) CV, (iii) a certified copy of degree certificates, (iv) copy of a dissertation at second-cycle level, corresponding at least 15 HEC, (v) a certified copy of the passport must be attached if the applicant is a foreign citizen, and (vi) a list of at least two referees and their contact information.

Forms for funding or employment
Employment as PhD student 4 years
SLU is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
A person has basic eligibility for third level education if he or she has taken a second level qualification or has completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, including at least 60 higher education credits at second level.
Those who met the requirements for general eligibility before July 1st, 2007, i.e. had completed a programme of higher education for at least 180 Higher education credits or the equivalent, will continue to do so until the end of 2015."

Selection among applicants meeting the requirements is made with reference to written application including curriculum vitae, copies of degrees and transcripts of academic records, one copy of the dissertation for masters or undergraduate degree, a list of at least two references familiar with the applicant's qualifications, certified knowledge of the English language and an interview.

Read more about the PhD education in the Handbook for postgraduate students 

Read about the PhD education at SLU at
www.slu.se/en/education/postgraduate-studies/
 

Further information:
Docent Jens Persson, jens.persson@slu.se, +46 581 69 73 05
Professor Henrik Andrén: henrik.andren@slu.se PhD 

Mikael Åkesson: mikael.akesson@slu.se (tel. +46 581-69 73 22)
Academic union representatives
SACO Saco-S föreningen SLU +46 (0)18 67 10 85
SEKO Linda Thörnström +46 (0)18 67 10 57
ST Lotta Olsson +46 (0)18 67 15 36
Applications, marked with ref no 63/2016, must have arrived at the Registrar of SLU, P.O. Box 7070, S- 750 07 Uppsala or registrator@slu.se no later than 2016-03-01

Two PhD assistantships

Two PhD assistantships in applied entomology are available at Boku (University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria). The three year project is in close cooperation with the Insect Pest Control Laboratory (IPCL) from the Joint FAO/IAEA Division (Seibersdorf, Austria), University of Lyon 1, France and the University of Rennes.

 Two highly motivated and creative doctoral students are sought to join the French Research National Agency (ANR) and Austrian Science Fund (FWF) funded project to conduct research on developing control strategies for the spotted wing Drosophila fly, Drosophila suzukii. The recent invasion of D. suzukii is a major concern for Europe's soft fruit production sector. The objective of the project is to develop an alternative approach for controlling D. suzukii through the release of sterile insects produced via Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and Incompatible Insect Technique (IIT). Protocols for mass-rearing and sterilization of D. suzukii using radiation as well as cytoplasmic incompatible CI Wolbachia strains shall be developed and validated.

- One PhD candidate will be responsible for developing the mass rearing protocol for D. suzukii and establish SIT by applying different irradiation protocols for reaching optimal male sterility. Thus, quality control analysis including male mating competitiveness besides others will be performed.
- The second PhD candidate will be responsible for the characterization of available Wolbachia-infected lines in respect to cytoplasmic incompatibility levels and fitness. The most suitable line(s) will be further assessed for the development and application of a combined SIT and IIT approach in the absence of an efficient sex separation system.

The selected PhD candidate will also be responsible to assess genetic changes occurring during domestication and/or mass-rearing.

The supervisors of these project are at IPCL Rui Cardoso Pereira, Carlos Caceres, Kostas Bourtzis, at the University Lyon 1 Laurence Mouton, Patricia Gibert and Fabrice Vavre and at Boku Christian Stauffer.

General requirements for the position: We ask a MSc degree in Plant Sciences, Biotechnology, Biology or Evolution with multidisciplinary profile. In addition to the specific skills required, the candidatesshould be team players with demonstrable experience in collaboration with ecologists and/or entomologists. The candidates should have excellent communication skills and should be fluent in English. The project isexpected to start in spring 2016 and PhD candidates have to enroll at Boku www.boku.ac.at/en/. Monthly salary of the successful candidates will be according to the regulations of the Austrian Science Fund FWF

www.fwf.ac.at/en/.

Please send applications to Christian Stauffer
christian.stauffer@boku.ac.at until 21st of February, 2016 including at least two reference letters, CV, cover letter expressing motivation and the preferred PhD work. Please indicate "SUZUKILL PhD Application"as subject of the mail.

Proposition de CDD

Début du CDD : 4 avril 2016
Durée : 12 mois
Niveau requis : Master 2 Ethologie ou Biologie marine ou bioacoustique.
Limite d'envoi des candidature : 15 février 2016

Nous recherchons une personne titulaire d’un Master en éthologie/biologie marine ou bioacoustique pour un CDD de 12 mois à l’Institut National des Sciences et Techniques de la Mer (Cherbourg).

Le contrat s'inscrit dans le cadre d'une action du projet FEDER (Fond Européen de Développement Régional) PASEAFIC qui consiste à évaluer l'impact d'un système actif de protection contre le biofouling (ultrasons) adapté aux structures EMR (Energies Marines Renouvelables) immergées, sur le comportement et la physiologie des poissons. 

La personne recrutée prendra en charge les lots expérimentaux de poissons et participera à toutes les étapes de la réalisation de ce projet incluant chronologiquement : la réalisation d'une synthèse bibliographique, la mise en place technique des expériences, la réalisation de tests comportementaux et physiologiques en conditions contrôlées, l'analyse des données, la participation à la rédaction d'une ou plusieurs publications scientifiques.
La personne retenue sera formée si nécessaire à diverses techniques (analyse vidéo, logiciel Ethovision, marquage des poissons, prises de sang etc.)
 

Compétences requises
Le candidat devra posséder une expérience de recherche sur des organismes aquatiques.
Idéalement, il maîtrisera les outils et méthodes en éthologie ou/et les techniques et méthodes utilisée en bioacoustique.

Qualités requises
Motivation pour travailler sur des animaux aquatiques, capacité à prendre en charge un projet de recherche, autonomie, rigueur, respect du protocole. Aisance avec les outils informatique. Capacité à monter des dispositifs expérimentaux.

Contact : Cnam-Intechmer, David Benhaïm.
Mél: david.benhaim@cnam.fr
Tél: 02 33 88 73 38
Mobile : 06 85 12 80 96
Envoyer CV + lettre de motivation par mél à :
David Benhaïm
Intechmer/CNAM
BP 324, 50103 Cherbourg, France
Tél : 02 33 88 73 38
Mél : david.benhaim@cnam.fr

2016 call for applications: SJD Animal Welfare Graduate Scholarship

The Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre at the Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Canada, is calling for applications from potential graduate students for the 2016 Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Graduate Scholarship. The Scholarship will support the training of researchers at the masters or doctoral level to pursue animal welfare research at the University of Prince Edward Island.  Both applied or more fundamental approaches to research pertaining to animal welfare are welcome. Applications for 2016 will be accepted until 12pm (noon) (AST) Friday March 4, 2016, with decisions to be announced by the end of April. Students may take up their award at any time of the year but must do so within 12 months of the date of the letter of offer. 

Application and selection guidelines are at upei.ca/awc

Internship: Behaviour in a range expanding dragonfly

We offer an internship to a student (bachelor or master) interested in experimental ecology, behaviour and evolution. The student will participate in a project that aims to quantify variation in behaviour (exploration, activity and spatial learning) along an age-gradient of range expansion of the dragonfly Crocothemis erythraea. The Broad Scarlet (C. erythraeae) was one of the first species showing a clear range expansion associated with climate warming. The species with a mainly African origin became autochthonous in the Mediterranean in the mid eighties and continued expanding northwards throughout Europe in the subsequent decades.

During range expansion, individuals are subjected to diverse selective pressures, hence behaviour beneficial in established populations might differ from these favoured during range expansion. Knowledge about changes in behavioural traits during range expansion will improve our understanding of evolutionary processes taking place during range expansion and increase the ability to predict the distribution of biota under further climate warming.

Activities: the student will score exploration, activity and spatial learning from recorded videos of experiments designed to quantify these behavioural traits. This internship contributes to the students’ ability to execute experimental set-ups, analysis and statistics, and will be assigned to a motivated student who can work autonomously as well as collectively.

Practical details: The internship will have a duration of 4 – 6 weeks and will take place between 14/04/2016 and 15/06/2016 (exact start and end date can be discussed). The intern will be based at the ‘Station d’Ecologie Expérimentale du CNRS à Moulis’ (http://www.ecoex-moulis.cnrs.fr) at the foot of the Pyrenees.

Contact for CV and short motivation letter: Lieven Therry (lieven.therry@ecoex-moulis.cnrs.fr).

Internship: Behaviour in a range expanding dragonfly

We offer an internship to a student (bachelor or master) interested in experimental ecology, behaviour and evolution. The student will participate in a project that aims to quantify variation in behaviour (exploration, activity and spatial learning) along an age-gradient of range expansion of the dragonfly Crocothemis erythraea. The Broad Scarlet (C. erythraeae) was one of the first species showing a clear range expansion associated with climate warming. The species with a mainly African origin became autochthonous in the Mediterranean in the mid eighties and continued expanding northwards throughout Europe in the subsequent decades.

During range expansion, individuals are subjected to diverse selective pressures, hence behaviour beneficial in established populations might differ from these favoured during range expansion. Knowledge about changes in behavioural traits during range expansion will improve our understanding of evolutionary processes taking place during range expansion and increase the ability to predict the distribution of biota under further climate warming.

Activities: the student will score exploration, activity and spatial learning from recorded videos of experiments designed to quantify these behavioural traits. This internship contributes to the students’ ability to execute experimental set-ups, analysis and statistics, and will be assigned to a motivated student who can work autonomously as well as collectively.

Practical details: The internship will have a duration of 4 – 6 weeks and will take place between 14/04/2016 and 15/06/2016 (exact start and end date can be discussed). The intern will be based at the ‘Station d’Ecologie Expérimentale du CNRS à Moulis’ (http://www.ecoex-moulis.cnrs.fr) at the foot of the Pyrenees.

Contact for CV and short motivation letter: Lieven Therry (lieven.therry@ecoex-moulis.cnrs.fr).

Internship: Behaviour in a range expanding dragonfly

We offer an internship to a student (bachelor or master) interested in experimental ecology, behaviour and evolution. The student will participate in a project that aims to quantify variation in behaviour (exploration, activity and spatial learning) along an age-gradient of range expansion of the dragonfly Crocothemis erythraea. The Broad Scarlet (C. erythraeae) was one of the first species showing a clear range expansion associated with climate warming. The species with a mainly African origin became autochthonous in the Mediterranean in the mid eighties and continued expanding northwards throughout Europe in the subsequent decades.

During range expansion, individuals are subjected to diverse selective pressures, hence behaviour beneficial in established populations might differ from these favoured during range expansion. Knowledge about changes in behavioural traits during range expansion will improve our understanding of evolutionary processes taking place during range expansion and increase the ability to predict the distribution of biota under further climate warming.

Activities: the student will score exploration, activity and spatial learning from recorded videos of experiments designed to quantify these behavioural traits. This internship contributes to the students’ ability to execute experimental set-ups, analysis and statistics, and will be assigned to a motivated student who can work autonomously as well as collectively.

Practical details: The internship will have a duration of 4 – 6 weeks and will take place between 14/04/2016 and 15/06/2016 (exact start and end date can be discussed). The intern will be based at the ‘Station d’Ecologie Expérimentale du CNRS à Moulis’ (http://www.ecoex-moulis.cnrs.fr) at the foot of the Pyrenees.

Contact for CV and short motivation letter: Lieven Therry (lieven.therry@ecoex-moulis.cnrs.fr).

Stage

L'unité AGIRs du CIRAD est à la recherche d'un stagiare niveau master (1 ou 2) en écologie ou en biostatistique pour débuter le plus rapidement possible.

*Description du stage*

Nous proposons un stage niveau master d’une durée de 5 à 6 mois portant sur l’analyse de l’impact de la chasse villageoise en Afrique centrale sur les communautés de mammifères en milieu forestier tropical. Le stage s’appuie sur des données de piégeage photographique récoltées sur 6 zones forestières (Congo, Gabon et RDC). 150 pièges photographiques ont été déployés sur ces zones et un total 50 à 70 sites de suivis de 30 jours ont été réalisés sur chacune de ces 6 zones. Les données des pièges photographiques récoltés ont été traitées (identification, géo-référencement, saisie dans camera-base). Une base de données SIG a également été constituée pour chaque zone (réseau hydrographique, végétation, aménagements, zone de chasse). Un suivi de l’activité des chasseurs, à partir d’enquêtes dans les villages pendant 5 mois, a été réalisé en parallèle dans chaque zone d’étude (technique, période et zone de chasse, tableau de chasse, niveau d’autoconsommation, prix de vente…).

Cette base de données unique en son genre permettra d’effectuer des analyses à l’échelle de l’espèce mais aussi à l’échelle des communautés. 

Les questions auxquelles devra répondre le stagiaire ont trait aux relations entre la pression de chasse (mesurée en termes de distance aux villages ou aux camps de chasse mais aussi à l’aide de données de tableaux de chasse) et d’une part l’abondance des espèces chassées et d’autre part la composition des communautés de mammifères terrestres. En outre, des informations sur les caractéristiques environnementales des sites sur lesquels les pièges photographiques ont été installés sont disponibles (/e.g./ distance au cours d’eau le plus proche, structure de la végétation, altitude, etc…..) et pourront être utilisées pour caractériser les habitats des espèces chassées.

*Compétences requises*

Ce stage requiert un intérêt du candidat pour l’étude de la faune en milieu tropical et de l’impact de la chasse sur celle-ci. De fortes compétences en gestion de bases de données, systèmes d’information géographique et surtout en modélisation statistiques sont requises. Les modèles statistiques utilisés appartiennentà la famille des modèles d’occupation des sites qui permettent d’estimer et de décrire les variations de paramètres de présence ou d’abondance des espèces et de paramètres de détection.Ces analyses seront effectuées principalement à l’aide de logiciels dédiés à ce type de modélisation (tel que le logiciel PRESENCE) mais aussi de logiciels statistiques plus généralistes tels que R (par exemple avec le package UNMARKED) ou OPENBUGS (pour d’éventuelles analyses bayésiennes).

*Accueil du stagiaire *

Le stage sera effectué au sein de l’unité AGIRs du CIRAD (http://ur-agirs.cirad.fr/) sur le campus de Baillarguet à Montpellier et sera rémunéré à hauteur de 530 euros par mois. Il est à noter que du fait du caractère unique des données disponibles, ce stage a sans aucun doute le potentiel pour aboutir à une publication dans un très bon journal (tel que Journal of Applied Ecology ou Ecological Applications).

*Contacts*

Envoyez CV et lettre de motivation à :

Vladimir Grosbois : vladimir.grosbois@cirad.fr 

/ 04 67 59 38 33

Nicolas Gaidet : nicolas.gaidet@cirad.fr 

/ 04 67 59 39 47

Daniel Cornelis: daniel.cornelis@cirad.fr

Sébastien Le Bel: sebastien.le_bel@cirad.fr 

/ 04 67 59 38 23

PostDoc wanted (tail biting in pigs)

As a Federal Research Institute and independent higher Federal Authority under the Federal Ministry for Food and Agriculture, the work of Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI) focusses on the health, nutrition, husbandry, genetic diversity, and welfare of farm animals.
The FLI Institute of Animal Welfare and Animal Husbandry in Celle offers a full (39 h/week) tenure track position as a
PostDoc scientist („wissenschaftliche/r Mitarbeiter/in“)
from the soonest possible date until 30.06.2018.
The employment will be based on the Federal Civil Service Act (TVöD) and its related regulations. In case of fulfilment of the relevant requirements the salary will refer to TVöD 14 (area West).
Tasks:
The appointee will spend half of his / her time on the scientific coordination of the project „Tail biting intervention programme for weaner piglets (A-SchwIP)“ which started in July 2015. The aims of this project are to develop and evaluate a software-based management tool for reducing tail biting risks in weaner piglets, which includes the epidemiological analysis of tail biting risk factors. Main tasks are:
- scientific supervision and support of the A-SchwIP PhD student
- developing and maintaining the content of an online management tool training platform
- consolidation and epidemiological analysis of on-farm data
- publication of results in peer reviewed scientific journals and for stakeholders
The second half of the position will be concerned with:
- compiling scientific opinions on current pig welfare topics
- participation in working groups on improvement of pig welfare
- connecting with other pig welfare research projects
Requirements:
- a PhD in agricultural, biological or veterinary science (or equivalent)
- experience in analysing large datasets
Additional qualifications:
- fluent spoken and written English and / or German
- interest in pig husbandry and epidemiological data analysis
- interest in communicating with scientists, farmers, farm advisers and veterinarians
Willingness to travel for one to several days and a driving licence category B (car) is expected.
The Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut is dedicated to increasing the proportion of female employees. Applica-tions by women are therefore explicitly encouraged. Individuals with disabilities will be given preferen-tial consideration in case of equal qualification. Only a minimal level of physical qualification is required.
For further information please contact Sabine Dippel, sabine.dippel@fli.bund.de, p +49 5141 3846-200.
Written applications including significant documents should be sent to Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Fachbereich Personal, Dörnbergstraße 25/27, 29223 Celle, Germany by 15.02.2016 using refer-ence “Kennziffer Nds. 01/16”. Please note, that you will not receive an acknowledgement of receipt. Applications will be returned after the position has been filled

RESEARCH ASSISTANT POSITION AVAILABLE

The Dwarf Mongoose Project was established in 2011 on Sorabi Rock Lodge Reserve, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Currently we work with 8 wild groups that have been habituated to the close presence of observers; group members are individually marked and many have been trained to climb on a balance scale to weigh themselves. Researchers live in a house on the reserve and will be required to share a bedroom.
We are seeking two research assistants to help conduct fieldwork.
Work will include behavioural observations, sound recordings, GPS tracking, weighing of individuals and assistance with playback experiments.
The post will commence beginning March 2016 (application deadline: 31 Jan 2016) with shortlisted applicants invited for skype interview at the beginning of February. Assistants need to be available for a minimum of 3 months and hold a valid driving licence.
Food and accommodation will be provided, but assistants will need to fund their own travel to the project.
Previous fieldwork experience will be viewed as advantageous.
To apply for the post, please send a cv (including names of 2 referees) and a cover letter to Julie Kern (julie.kern@bristol.ac.uk), University of Bristol.
DWARF MONGOOSE PROJECT

Two postdoctoral positions in theoretical ecology

(1) Ecosystem stability across scales

(2) Modelling human–nature interactions

Two postdoctoral positions are available at the Centre for Biodiversity Theory and Modelling (CBTM), based at the CNRS Theoretical and Experimental Ecology Station in Moulis, France. The mission of the CBTM is to foster and perform innovative theoretical research into the ecological and societal causes and consequences of biodiversity changes.

We seek two postdoctoral fellows to work in two projects led by Michel Loreau :

(1) One postdoctoral fellow is expected to develop new theory on ecosystem stability across scales in metacommunities, as part of the project BIOSTASES (BIOdiversity, STAbility and sustainability in Spatial Ecological and social-ecological Systems) funded by a European Research Council Advanced Grant.

(2) A second postdoctoral fellow is expected to develop novel models of the dynamics of human–nature interactions with the goal of understanding and predicting the sustainability of human societies, as part of a project funded by the TULIP Laboratory of Excellence.

Candidates for the two positions should meet the following requirements:

(1) have a PhD in ecology, economics, mathematics or a related field;

(2) have skills in mathematical modelling;

(3) be creative and independent;

(4) have a good publication record.

Both positions are available for a period of two years starting preferably during the summer 2016. Salary will be in the range €30,000–42,000 per year depending on experience. Review of applications will begin on February 15th, 2016, and continue until the positions are filled.

To apply, e-mail a letter of application, a CV, a statement of research interests, and the names and email addresses of three references to Michel Loreau via Dalila Booth <dalila.booth@ecoex-moulis.cnrs.fr>. Web page: http://www.cbtm-moulis.com.

RESEARCHER IN ECOLOGY – MOVEMENT ECOLOGY

Date : 01/01/2016
Company : Reneco for Wildlife Preservation
 
Job category
Short term contract: 2 years position
Job locations
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
 

Job context
Reneco’s mission is to implement an overall conservation strategy aiming to restore and preserve the endangered North African and Asian native houbara bustard populations (Chlamydotis undulata and Chlamydotis macqueenii). To achieve these goals, Reneco has developed a multidisciplinary approach in different centres and countries combining fundamental and applied research in such varied areas as ecology, biology, physiology, captive breeding, veterinary medicine, with an in-depth expertise in the reinforcement of wild populations.
More particularly, research efforts aim to increase general knowledge on both species and their habitats to provide useful tools for conservation planning at a large scale and in various environments. In addition, the success of the program and its impact on the environment has to be carefully assessed.

Job description
The holder of this job will be a researcher of the Ecology team. His / Her research will focus on the movement ecology of houbara (wild and captive-bred released) with emphasis on 1) determinism of migration, 2) drivers of birds movements, 3) relationships between movement and bird fitness (survival and breeding), and 4) orientation behaviour.

The successful candidate will have the following responsibilities:
Fieldwork and experiment protocol edition and application / team training / data analysis / report edition / scientific papers edition / international communication (congress) / conduct regular research meeting (students, fieldworkers) / student supervision.

Skills required
The successful candidate should hold a PhD degree with an education well rounded in animal ecology, behaviour and conservation biology. More particularly a profound knowledge in the analysis of movements and/or survival is required.
A comprehensive knowledge in the following research topics would be an asset: population dynamic / habitat use and selection / foraging ecology / in and ex-situ conservation / reintroduction biology
He / She must have good experience of fieldwork, and must be able to move in several countries within Middle East, Central Asia and North Africa.

Language requirements
Fluency in English.
French, Arabic or Russian will be an asset.
 

Additional valuable abilities
Ability to work in a multicultural and multinational environment.
Mobility across all Reneco’s projects in Middle East, Central Asia and North Africa.
Start date 2016
Salary
Commensurate with experience
Additional benefits
Full medical insurance, travel allowance, length of service gratuity, provisions for accommodation To submit an application
Email
hr-sourcing@reneco-hq.org

4-year BBSRC DTP Studentship

The advertisement for our iCASE studentship is now up on FindaPhD.com: http://www.findaphd.com/search/projectDetails.aspx?PJID=70765&LID=1128

Assessing transient affective states in poultry using intracranial recording of brain oscillations (Newcastle, iCASE award)

Project Description

The 5 freedoms of Animal Welfare include freedom from discomfort, pain and fear. The poultry industry aims to develop processes that minimize these negative effects on their birds. But how can these states be measured adequately? In this project, you will be part of a team of neuroscientists, poultry scientists and industry researchers with the aim of developing a novel way to measure birds’ affective states on a second-to-second basis. You will do this by recording brain activity in freely behaving poultry while they are exposed to different environmental conditions. Initially, these will be lab induced conditions, both positive (social companionship, good food, dust baths) and negative (social isolation, fear, brief pain). Using state-of-the-art neuroscience signal processing tools, you will then identify the minimal features of these brain recordings that allow us to discriminate these different affective states. Once this procedure has been validated in the lab, you will then take the technology into a commercial setting and measure the duration and extent of the different affective states in animals undergoing the normal processing from the poultry shed to just prior to slaughter. The newly-developed techniques will allow you to compare different methods and identify the problem areas for welfare, in order to develop higher-welfare processes in the future. You will learn a range of techniques from neuroscience (surgical, behavioural and analytical), while at the same time being trained in commercial R&D practices and in the priorities of commercial companies, as well as in academic research and rigour. 

For further information see the website: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/ion/ 

To apply: 

Please submit a full CV and covering letter directly to tom.smulders@ncl.ac.uk 

Funding Notes

This is a 4 year BBSRC iCASE studentship under the Newcastle-Liverpool-Durham DTP. The successful applicant will receive research costs, tuition fees and stipend (£14,057 for 2015-16). The PhD will start in September 2016. Applicants should have, or be expecting to receive, a 2.1 Hons degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject. EU candidates must have been resident in the UK for 3 years in order to receive full support. There are 2 stages to the application process.

References

Wells CE, Amos DP, Jeewajee A, Douchamps V, Rodgers RJ, O’Keefe J, Burgess N, Lever C (2013) Novelty and anxiolytic drugs dissociate two components of hippocampal theta in behaving rats. Journal of Neuroscience 33: 8650-8667

All ,information here

Maternity Cover for Lecturer in Animal Welfare and Behaviour Science

Production and Population Health
Location:  Hawkshead
Salary:  £42,651 to £54,863
per annum inclusive
Closing Date:   Tuesday 19 January 2016
Interview Date:   Friday 29 January 2016
Reference:   PPH-0230-15

This is a fixed term position until 28 January 2017, to cover maternity leave.

We invite applications for a temporary full time Lecturer in Animal Welfare and Behaviour Science at the Royal Veterinary College.

You will be responsible for organisation and delivery of teaching and assessment materials for the RVC’s BSc BioVeterinary Science Year 3 Animal Behaviour and welfare module and BSc Biological Science (Animal Behaviour Welfare and Ethics) pathway. You will be expected to actively participate in assessment and academic administration of these courses, contribute to teaching on other RVC undergraduate courses, supervise undergraduate (and if appropriate postgraduate) students, perform tutoring duties and to contribute to and participate in relevant research.   

We are looking for candidates with an excellent degree/level 6 qualification in zoology/animal science or other relevant discipline and a period of postgraduate training in animal behaviour, welfare science or ethics. A PhD is desirable. You will have experience of teaching undergraduate students and a willingness to undertake research related to animal behaviour and welfare. You will have excellent organisational and communication skills and be able to work collaboratively across teams. 

Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact Dr Siobhan Abeyesinghe (Head of Group, RVC Animal Welfare Science and Ethics, department Production and population Health on +44 1707 66 6947 or email: sabeyesinghe@rvc.ac.uk@rvc.ac.uk).

We offer a generous reward package.

Apply here

Offre de poste : Conservateur RNN Nouragues, Guyane

La Direction régionale de l’ONF en Guyane gère un patrimoine forestier de 5,7 millions d'hectares en mettant en oeuvre une gestion à la fois multifonctionnelle et conservatoire.

Avec 80 agents ouvriers et fonctionnaires, l'ONF est un opérateur territorial important en Guyane. Les missions exercées relèvent de la gestion durable de la forêt tropicale humide, de la commercialisation des bois, de la surveillance du domaine (orpaillage, déforestation, police de la nature), d'activités conventionnelles et de la gestion d'espaces naturels remarquables.

La Réserve Naturelle Nationale des Nouragues protège plus de 105 000 hectares de forêt tropicale humide. De par sa superficie et son emplacement, elle occupe une place stratégique dans la protection de la forêt tropicale humide au niveau national et européen. Sa faune, sa flore, ainsi que la mosaïque de milieux rencontrés en font un site exceptionnel, considéré comme haut lieu de biodiversité et une référence au niveau international.

Depuis décembre 2014, la gestion de la réserve naturelle des Nouragues est confiée à l’Office National des Forêts (ONF) et au Groupe d’Etude et de Protection des Oiseaux de Guyane (GEPOG).

Suite à la vacance du poste, l'ONF recrute un :

Conservateur de la Réserve Naturelle Nationale des Nouragues (H/F)

Objectifs et enjeux du poste :

Le conservateur encadre une équipe de 2 gardes-techniciens. Il prépare, coordonne et met en oeuvre les actions de protection, de surveillance, de recherche, d'animation et de gestion de la Réserve naturelle.

En tant que cadre responsable de la réserve, il assure la gestion financière et administrative du site et représente la Réserve auprès de ses partenaires institutionnels, scientifiques (CNRS notamment) et politiques.

Activités principales (80%) :

• Rédaction et mise en oeuvre du plan de gestion de la RNN ;

• Conception des projets, études, missions liés à la RNN et suivi de leur mise en oeuvre ;

• Encadrement des salariés permanents de la RNN et des personnels du GEPOG et de l’ONF intervenant en appui temporaire ;

• Préparation et suivi du budget de la RNN ;

• Représentation institutionnelle de la RNN (comités consultatifs, commissions et manifestations diverses), participation au réseau RNF et au CENG.

Activités secondaires (20 %) :

• Coordination du pôle « environnement » du service Sylvétude (3 conservateurs de RNN et 2 chargés d’études environnementale), sous la responsabilité du chef de service Sylvétude

• Chef de projet spécialisé naturaliste

Profil recherché

• De formation niveau bac + 3 à bac + 5 (licence pro ou master spécialisé), spécialisation naturaliste requise, expérience en gestion des espaces protégés ;

• Aptitudes managériales et compétences en conduite de projet et gestion budgétaire ;

• Qualités relationnelles, goût pour le travail en équipe

• De bonnes capacités physiques et de la disponibilité sont requises pour effectuer des missions de plusieurs jours en forêt profonde.

Conditions

Recrutement via un CDI (type IV niveau 1.1) de droit privé. Rémunération selon expérience. Poste basé à Cayenne.

Candidatures à adresser avant le 27 janvier 2016 à l'attention de : Eric DUBOIS, Directeur régional ONF Guyane par mél : eric.dubois@onf.fr

PROPOSITION DE SUJET DE STAGE

MASTER, INGENIEUR ou VETERINAIRE (6 mois)

Anses - Agence nationale de sécurité sanitaire de l’alimentation, de l’environnement et du travail Laboratoire de Ploufragan/Plouzané Unité d’épidémiologie – B.P. 53 22440 PLOUFRAGAN Tél : 02.96.01.62.22 / Fax : 02.96.01.62.23 / www.anses.fr Maîtres de stage : Maryse GUINEBRETIERE (02.96.01.62.22, maryse.guinebretiere@anses.fr), Chargée de projet Titre : Réduction des risques de picage en élevage des poules pondeuses en cages Contexte et problème posé : Un problème important de bien-être des poules pondeuses est induit par le picage agressif des poules entre elles, provoquant du stress, un déplumement conséquent, des lésions entrainant la mortalité et du cannibalisme. Pour éviter cela, l’épointage du bec des poules pondeuses est aujourd’hui automatiquement pratiqué en France. Mais cette mutilation est interdite dans plusieurs pays européens compte tenu d’une demande sociale importante et pourrait le devenir en France. En Europe, 340 millions de poules pondeuses sont utilisées chaque année pour produire les œufs de consommation, dont 56% sont élevées en cages. La France, 1er producteur européen, loge 68% de ses poules en cages. Depuis 2012 les poules pondeuses élevées en cages doivent pouvoir exprimer certains besoins comportementaux (grattage, picotage) (réglementation européenne).  La mise au point de matériaux de picotage et grattage a été réalisée à l’Anses dans des études antérieures. Dans certains cas, la satisfaction de ces comportements par les poules, liés à de bonnes pratiques d’élevage, pourrait permettre d’éviter l’apparition de picage de plumes agressif, et donc les conséquences néfastes sur la santé et le bien-être. Objectifs du stage : Ce projet a pour objectif de faire le point sur les alternatives possibles à l’épointage du bec chez les poules pondeuses en expérimentant un ensemble de solutions diminuant la réactivité des poules face à des événements stressants, qui peuvent provoquer du picage et de rediriger les comportements agressifs vers des éléments de l’environnement plutôt que vers des congénères. Une expérimentation sera conduite sur des poules logées en cages aménagées, et portera sur la mise en place d’une combinaison d’enrichissements proposés en ponte et au stade d’élevage poulettes. Les objectifs seront : D’étudier si les matériaux de grattage picotage installés en cage sont bien utilisés et permettent de diminuer le picage D’évaluer l’efficacité des alternatives (comme l’alimentation, la génétique, le mode d’élevage des poulettes) sur le comportement des poules. Le bâtiment d'élevage expérimental de l’Anses comporte 72 cages aménagées avec 4 320 poules, muni d’un système d’enregistrement vidéo. Les mesures effectuées par le stagiaire porteront essentiellement sur le comportement (picages, agressions/fuites, utilisation des aménagements et enrichissements) et l’état corporel (emplumement, lésions). Le stagiaire participera à la réalisation des expérimentations, à l’analyse des vidéos, la saisie des résultats, et l’analyse des données en concertation avec l’encadrante, selon le degré d’autonomie de maitrise des statistiques usuelles. Une synthèse sera rédigée (pouvant correspondre au rapport de stage). Les résultats obtenus devront permettre d’identifier des solutions permettant de réduire le problème du picage tout en évitant la mutilation des becs des poules pondeuses. Profil requis : L’étudiant devra être organisé, autonome et rigoureux. La maîtrise des logiciels usuels de bureautique et des statistiques de base (R) est requise. Déroulement et conditions matérielles : Période de stage : de avril à aout 2016 (ajustables selon les possibilités du stagiaire) Conditions : Le stage sera indemnisé conformément à la réglementation en vigueur.