samedi 23 décembre 2017
vendredi 22 décembre 2017
Optimistic and pessimistic decision-making under ambiguity 2 PhD positions in Behavioural Biology
The Department of Behavioural Biology at the University of Münster invites applications for two PhD
positions from February 1
st
2018 or soon thereafter. The positions are available for three years and are
funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) within the recently approved collaborative research
centre (SFB/TRR 212) entitled: A Novel Synthesis of Individualisation across Behaviour, Ecology and
Evolution: Niche Choice, Niche Conformance, Niche Construction (NC
3
).
Thematic background & profile
Humans differ in the way they perceive the world with some being more optimistic and some being
more pessimistic. Using laboratory mice as a model organism, the project aims to apply the concept of
optimism/pessimism to behavioral ecology for the first time. Two main research questions will be
addressed: How does one become an optimist/pessimist and what are the fitness consequences?
We seek bright and highly motivated students who have a proven record in behavioural biology. A very
good Master degree or equivalent in a relevant topic is expected. Very good knowledge of spoken and
written English is mandatory. Finally, good organizational, writing and presentation skills as well as the
ability to work well both independently and in a team environment are advantageous.
Research environment
The successful candidates will be based at the Department of Behavioural
Biology at the University of Münster. The department offers a mind-stimulating
and interdisciplinary research environment. Current research projects deal
with (1) stress, stress avoidance and animal welfare, (2) evolution and
development of social behaviour, and (3) the role of gene/environment
interactions in the control of emotional, cognitive, and social behaviour.
To apply, please provide: (i) a letter of motivation including a statement of your research experience;
(ii) a CV including publication list; (iii) names and contact details of two referees willing to write
confidential letters of recommendation. All materials should be emailed as a single PDF file to:
richterh@uni-muenster.de.
The application deadline is January 7th 2018 and interviews will take place shortly thereafter. The
preferred start date is February 1
st
2018 but is flexible. For further information on the project and the
Department of Behavioural Biology in Münster, please see www.ethologie.de or contact Helene Richter
(richterh@uni-muenster.de) or Norbert Sachser (sachser@uni-muenster.de) with any informal
inquiries.
The University of Münster is an equal opportunity employer. We particularly welcome applications from
women and handicapped people. Given equal suitability, qualifications and professional achievement,
women or handicapped people will be given preference, unless particular circumstances apply.
positions from February 1
st
2018 or soon thereafter. The positions are available for three years and are
funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) within the recently approved collaborative research
centre (SFB/TRR 212) entitled: A Novel Synthesis of Individualisation across Behaviour, Ecology and
Evolution: Niche Choice, Niche Conformance, Niche Construction (NC
3
).
Thematic background & profile
Humans differ in the way they perceive the world with some being more optimistic and some being
more pessimistic. Using laboratory mice as a model organism, the project aims to apply the concept of
optimism/pessimism to behavioral ecology for the first time. Two main research questions will be
addressed: How does one become an optimist/pessimist and what are the fitness consequences?
We seek bright and highly motivated students who have a proven record in behavioural biology. A very
good Master degree or equivalent in a relevant topic is expected. Very good knowledge of spoken and
written English is mandatory. Finally, good organizational, writing and presentation skills as well as the
ability to work well both independently and in a team environment are advantageous.
Research environment
The successful candidates will be based at the Department of Behavioural
Biology at the University of Münster. The department offers a mind-stimulating
and interdisciplinary research environment. Current research projects deal
with (1) stress, stress avoidance and animal welfare, (2) evolution and
development of social behaviour, and (3) the role of gene/environment
interactions in the control of emotional, cognitive, and social behaviour.
To apply, please provide: (i) a letter of motivation including a statement of your research experience;
(ii) a CV including publication list; (iii) names and contact details of two referees willing to write
confidential letters of recommendation. All materials should be emailed as a single PDF file to:
richterh@uni-muenster.de.
The application deadline is January 7th 2018 and interviews will take place shortly thereafter. The
preferred start date is February 1
st
2018 but is flexible. For further information on the project and the
Department of Behavioural Biology in Münster, please see www.ethologie.de or contact Helene Richter
(richterh@uni-muenster.de) or Norbert Sachser (sachser@uni-muenster.de) with any informal
inquiries.
The University of Münster is an equal opportunity employer. We particularly welcome applications from
women and handicapped people. Given equal suitability, qualifications and professional achievement,
women or handicapped people will be given preference, unless particular circumstances apply.
Social niche conformance during adolescence and beyond - 2 PhD positions in Behavioural Biology
The Department of Behavioural Biology at the University of Münster invites applications for two PhD positions from February 1st 2018 or soon thereafter. The positions are available for three years and are funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) within the recently approved collaborative research centre (SFB/TRR 212) entitled: A Novel Synthesis of Individualisation across Behaviour, Ecology and Evolution: Niche Choice, Niche Conformance, Niche Construction (NC3).
Thematic background & profile
Mechanisms of adaptive shaping of behavioural phenotypes have evolved during early phases of life in numerous species. In this project we address the questions: How can behavioural phenotypes be shaped by social experiences during adolescence and beyond? Are these phenotypes adjusted to the environmental conditions? Do males and females differ? What are the underlying hormonal mechanisms? We aim to study these questions using a highly social rodent, the guinea pig.
We seek bright and highly motivated students who have a proven record in behavioural biology. A very good Master degree or equivalent in a relevant topic is expected. Very good knowledge of spoken and written English is mandatory. Finally, good organizational, writing and presentation skills as well as the ability to work well both independently and in a team environment are advantageous.
Research environment
The successful candidates will be based at the Department of Behavioural Biology at the University of Münster. The department offers a mind-stimulating and interdisciplinary research environment. Current research projects deal with (1) stress, stress avoidance and animal welfare, (2) evolution and development of social behaviour, and (3) the role of gene/environment interactions in the control of emotional, cognitive, and social behaviour.
To apply, please provide: (i) a letter of motivation including a statement of your research experience;
(ii) a CV including publication list; (iii) names and contact details of two referees willing to write confidential letters of recommendation. All materials should be emailed as a single PDF file to:
kaisesy@uni-muenster.de.
The application deadline is January 7th 2018 and interviews will take place shortly thereafter. The preferred start date is February 1st 2018 but is flexible. For further information on the project and the Department of Behavioural Biology in Münster, please see www.ethologie.de or contact Sylvia Kaiser (kaisesy@uni-muenster.de) or Norbert Sachser (sachser@uni-muenster.de) with any informal inquiries.
The University of Münster is an equal opportunity employer. We particularly welcome applications from women and handicapped people. Given equal suitability, qualifications and professional achievement, women or handicapped people will be given preference, unless particular circumstances apply.
Mechanisms of adaptive shaping of behavioural phenotypes have evolved during early phases of life in numerous species. In this project we address the questions: How can behavioural phenotypes be shaped by social experiences during adolescence and beyond? Are these phenotypes adjusted to the environmental conditions? Do males and females differ? What are the underlying hormonal mechanisms? We aim to study these questions using a highly social rodent, the guinea pig.
We seek bright and highly motivated students who have a proven record in behavioural biology. A very good Master degree or equivalent in a relevant topic is expected. Very good knowledge of spoken and written English is mandatory. Finally, good organizational, writing and presentation skills as well as the ability to work well both independently and in a team environment are advantageous.
Research environment
The successful candidates will be based at the Department of Behavioural Biology at the University of Münster. The department offers a mind-stimulating and interdisciplinary research environment. Current research projects deal with (1) stress, stress avoidance and animal welfare, (2) evolution and development of social behaviour, and (3) the role of gene/environment interactions in the control of emotional, cognitive, and social behaviour.
To apply, please provide: (i) a letter of motivation including a statement of your research experience;
(ii) a CV including publication list; (iii) names and contact details of two referees willing to write confidential letters of recommendation. All materials should be emailed as a single PDF file to:
kaisesy@uni-muenster.de.
The application deadline is January 7th 2018 and interviews will take place shortly thereafter. The preferred start date is February 1st 2018 but is flexible. For further information on the project and the Department of Behavioural Biology in Münster, please see www.ethologie.de or contact Sylvia Kaiser (kaisesy@uni-muenster.de) or Norbert Sachser (sachser@uni-muenster.de) with any informal inquiries.
The University of Münster is an equal opportunity employer. We particularly welcome applications from women and handicapped people. Given equal suitability, qualifications and professional achievement, women or handicapped people will be given preference, unless particular circumstances apply.
mercredi 20 décembre 2017
PhD positions in Animal behaviour and Functional Genomics at Bielefeld University
2 PhD positions in Behavioural Ecology and Functional Genomics
Two PhD positions in behavioural/evolutionary ecology and functional genomics are available at the Faculty of Biology at Bielefeld University; one in the Department of Animal Behaviour with Dr. Peter Korsten (see www.uni-bielefeld.de/biologie/animalbehaviour) and one in the Evolutionary Biology group with Dr. Tim Schmoll (see www.uni-bielefeld.de/(en)/biologie/Evolutionsbiologie/). The positions run from early 2018 for 36 months and are funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) within the recently approved collaborative research centre (SFB/TRR 212) entitled: A Novel Synthesis of Individualisation across Behaviour, Ecology and Evolution: Niche Choice, Niche Conformance, Niche Construction (NC3).
The goal of this project (project B04 of the collaborative research centre) is to test how male Zebra Finches conform to their social niche as set by the prevailing level of sperm competition. This will allow us to understand how individual variation in sexual competition generates individual variation, and covariation, in both competitive traits and parenting behaviour. The two PhD students will closely collaborate to (i) quantify male social niche conformance by analysing adjustment of sexual competitiveness including behavioural (e.g. aggression) and ejaculate (e.g. sperm motility) traits. They will then (ii) identify the underlying mechanisms of social niche conformance on the hormonal (via endocrinological profiling) and the gene expression (via RNAseq) levels, (iii) assess the adaptive significance of niche conformance under a niche match/mismatch paradigm and, finally, (iv) test for trade-offs between investment in sexual competitiveness versus paternal care. Sub-project A will primarily focus on male social niche conformance through adjustment of behavioural traits and the hormonal mechanisms underlying niche conformance. Sub-project B will primarily focus on male social niche conformance through adjustment of ejaculate traits and the gene expression underlying niche conformance.
The collaborative research centre: The positions will be embedded within a larger collaborative research centre (SFB) comprising 18 principle investigators, 8 postdocs and 16 PhD students based at Bielefeld University, the University of Münster and the University of Jena. The aim of the SFB is to produce a conceptual and empirical synthesis of individualisation across behaviour, ecology and evolution. The SFB will provide exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and academic networking, together with structured training, scientific exchange and early career support programmes. Full details of the SFB can be found at www.uni-bielefeld.de/biologie/crc212.
Main responsibilities
Research tasks (90%):
- Designing and conducting laboratory experiments in which zebra finch males are exposed to different levels of sperm competition
- Maintaining a zebra finch stock population and breeding of experimental birds
- Collecting and processing of behavioural recordings (sub-project A)
- Collecting and processing of hormone samples (sub-project A)
- Setting up a computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) system (sub-project B)
- Phenotyping sperm samples using CASA and other methods (sub-project B)
- Processing of tissue samples for transcriptomic analyses
- Bioinformatic processing of high-throughput sequencing data to quantify gene expression (sub-project B)
- Statistical analyses of complex experimental data
- Collaborating with other research groups in the collaborative research centre
- Writing scientific publications for international peer-reviewed journals
Organizational tasks in the research groups and collaborative research centre (10%)
Applicants’ profiles
We are seeking two bright, highly motivated and creative students with
- a university degree in a relevant discipline with specializations in one or more of the following fields: evolutionary ecology, behavioural ecology, animal behaviour, behavioural physiology, bioinformatics, endocrinology, neuro-ethology, transcriptomics, and/or veterinary science,
- a keen interest in using genetic and/or endocrinological methods to answer behavioural and life history questions,
- experience with carrying out animal experiments, preferably in birds,
- experience with bioinformatic processing of high-throughput sequencing data (sub-project B),
- experience with statistical analyses of complex data sets (preferably using R),
- ability to work both independently and as part of a team, and
- excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
The following qualifications would additionally be of advantage:
- publications in peer-reviewed international journals,
- experience with software for analysing behavioural recordings (sub-project A),
- experience with sperm phenotyping including CASA (sub-project B),
- experience with large-scale research projects.
Remuneration
Salary will be paid according to Remuneration level 13 (65%) of the Wage Agreement for Public Service in the Federal States (TV-L).
Bielefeld University is particularly committed to the career development of its employees. It offers attractive internal and external training. Employees have the opportunity to use a variety of health, counselling, and prevention programmes. Bielefeld University places great importance on a work–family balance for all its employees.
Application procedure
To apply, please provide: (i) a letter of motivation (maximum two pages) including a statement of your research interests, and skills and experience relevant to the positions and a statement for which of the two positions you apply (or your preference in case you apply for both); (ii) a CV including your publication list; (iii) names and contact details of two referees willing to write confidential letters of recommendation. All materials should be emailed as a single PDF file to both principal investigators: peter.korsten@uni-bielefeld.de and tim.schmoll@uni-bielefeld.de. The application deadline is January 7th 2018 and interviews will take place shortly thereafter. After the decision, the positions should start as soon as possible. For further information on the project and the departments, please contact Peter Korsten (sub-project A) and/or Tim Schmoll (sub-project B) with any informal inquiries.
Bielefeld is a city of 325,000 inhabitants with all expected amenities and easy access to the Teutoburger Wald for hiking and other outdoor pursuits. It offers a high standard of living and is well connected to most major European cities.
Bielefeld University has received a number of awards for its achievements in the provision of equal opportunity and has been recognized as a family friendly university. The University welcomes applications from women. This is particularly true with regard both to academic and technical posts as well as positions in Information Technology and Trades and Craft. Applications are handled according to the provisions of the state equal opportunity statutes. Applications from suitably qualified handicapped and severely handicapped persons are explicitly encouraged.
Dr. Peter Korsten
Department of Animal Behaviour / Verhaltensforschung (VHF)
Bielefeld University
PO Box 10 01 31
33501 Bielefeld
Germany
Telephone: +49-521-106 2188
Dr. Tim Schmoll
Evolutionary Biology
Bielefeld University
Morgenbreede 45
33619 Bielefeld
Telephone: +49-160-7207626
Two PhD positions in behavioural/evolutionary ecology and functional genomics are available at the Faculty of Biology at Bielefeld University; one in the Department of Animal Behaviour with Dr. Peter Korsten (see www.uni-bielefeld.de/biologie/animalbehaviour) and one in the Evolutionary Biology group with Dr. Tim Schmoll (see www.uni-bielefeld.de/(en)/biologie/Evolutionsbiologie/). The positions run from early 2018 for 36 months and are funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) within the recently approved collaborative research centre (SFB/TRR 212) entitled: A Novel Synthesis of Individualisation across Behaviour, Ecology and Evolution: Niche Choice, Niche Conformance, Niche Construction (NC3).
The goal of this project (project B04 of the collaborative research centre) is to test how male Zebra Finches conform to their social niche as set by the prevailing level of sperm competition. This will allow us to understand how individual variation in sexual competition generates individual variation, and covariation, in both competitive traits and parenting behaviour. The two PhD students will closely collaborate to (i) quantify male social niche conformance by analysing adjustment of sexual competitiveness including behavioural (e.g. aggression) and ejaculate (e.g. sperm motility) traits. They will then (ii) identify the underlying mechanisms of social niche conformance on the hormonal (via endocrinological profiling) and the gene expression (via RNAseq) levels, (iii) assess the adaptive significance of niche conformance under a niche match/mismatch paradigm and, finally, (iv) test for trade-offs between investment in sexual competitiveness versus paternal care. Sub-project A will primarily focus on male social niche conformance through adjustment of behavioural traits and the hormonal mechanisms underlying niche conformance. Sub-project B will primarily focus on male social niche conformance through adjustment of ejaculate traits and the gene expression underlying niche conformance.
The collaborative research centre: The positions will be embedded within a larger collaborative research centre (SFB) comprising 18 principle investigators, 8 postdocs and 16 PhD students based at Bielefeld University, the University of Münster and the University of Jena. The aim of the SFB is to produce a conceptual and empirical synthesis of individualisation across behaviour, ecology and evolution. The SFB will provide exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and academic networking, together with structured training, scientific exchange and early career support programmes. Full details of the SFB can be found at www.uni-bielefeld.de/biologie/crc212.
Main responsibilities
Research tasks (90%):
- Designing and conducting laboratory experiments in which zebra finch males are exposed to different levels of sperm competition
- Maintaining a zebra finch stock population and breeding of experimental birds
- Collecting and processing of behavioural recordings (sub-project A)
- Collecting and processing of hormone samples (sub-project A)
- Setting up a computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) system (sub-project B)
- Phenotyping sperm samples using CASA and other methods (sub-project B)
- Processing of tissue samples for transcriptomic analyses
- Bioinformatic processing of high-throughput sequencing data to quantify gene expression (sub-project B)
- Statistical analyses of complex experimental data
- Collaborating with other research groups in the collaborative research centre
- Writing scientific publications for international peer-reviewed journals
Organizational tasks in the research groups and collaborative research centre (10%)
Applicants’ profiles
We are seeking two bright, highly motivated and creative students with
- a university degree in a relevant discipline with specializations in one or more of the following fields: evolutionary ecology, behavioural ecology, animal behaviour, behavioural physiology, bioinformatics, endocrinology, neuro-ethology, transcriptomics, and/or veterinary science,
- a keen interest in using genetic and/or endocrinological methods to answer behavioural and life history questions,
- experience with carrying out animal experiments, preferably in birds,
- experience with bioinformatic processing of high-throughput sequencing data (sub-project B),
- experience with statistical analyses of complex data sets (preferably using R),
- ability to work both independently and as part of a team, and
- excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
The following qualifications would additionally be of advantage:
- publications in peer-reviewed international journals,
- experience with software for analysing behavioural recordings (sub-project A),
- experience with sperm phenotyping including CASA (sub-project B),
- experience with large-scale research projects.
Remuneration
Salary will be paid according to Remuneration level 13 (65%) of the Wage Agreement for Public Service in the Federal States (TV-L).
Bielefeld University is particularly committed to the career development of its employees. It offers attractive internal and external training. Employees have the opportunity to use a variety of health, counselling, and prevention programmes. Bielefeld University places great importance on a work–family balance for all its employees.
Application procedure
To apply, please provide: (i) a letter of motivation (maximum two pages) including a statement of your research interests, and skills and experience relevant to the positions and a statement for which of the two positions you apply (or your preference in case you apply for both); (ii) a CV including your publication list; (iii) names and contact details of two referees willing to write confidential letters of recommendation. All materials should be emailed as a single PDF file to both principal investigators: peter.korsten@uni-bielefeld.de and tim.schmoll@uni-bielefeld.de. The application deadline is January 7th 2018 and interviews will take place shortly thereafter. After the decision, the positions should start as soon as possible. For further information on the project and the departments, please contact Peter Korsten (sub-project A) and/or Tim Schmoll (sub-project B) with any informal inquiries.
Bielefeld is a city of 325,000 inhabitants with all expected amenities and easy access to the Teutoburger Wald for hiking and other outdoor pursuits. It offers a high standard of living and is well connected to most major European cities.
Bielefeld University has received a number of awards for its achievements in the provision of equal opportunity and has been recognized as a family friendly university. The University welcomes applications from women. This is particularly true with regard both to academic and technical posts as well as positions in Information Technology and Trades and Craft. Applications are handled according to the provisions of the state equal opportunity statutes. Applications from suitably qualified handicapped and severely handicapped persons are explicitly encouraged.
Dr. Peter Korsten
Department of Animal Behaviour / Verhaltensforschung (VHF)
Bielefeld University
PO Box 10 01 31
33501 Bielefeld
Germany
Telephone: +49-521-106 2188
Dr. Tim Schmoll
Evolutionary Biology
Bielefeld University
Morgenbreede 45
33619 Bielefeld
Telephone: +49-160-7207626
IAST Research Fellowship Applications
The Institute for Advanced Study in Toulouse
(IAST), France, invites applications for Research Fellowships, from 1st
September 2018.
We
welcome applications from researchers within a large range of
disciplines in the social and behavioral sciences: anthropology,
biology, economics, history, law, mathematics, philosophy, political
science, psychology and sociology, though motivated applications from
outside these disciplines will be given full consideration. Successful
applicants will have demonstrated an interest in, and a commitment to,
at least one of the other disciplines of IAST.
We
seek candidates with a strong research background in their own
discipline, but willing and able to develop research projects drawing on
IAST’s substantial interdisciplinary resources, including particularly
the proximity of strong groups in economics (Toulouse School of
Economics, TSE). We are open to a variety of research methods, including
theory, field and laboratory experiments, observational field work, and
the analysis of large secondary data sets. All research interests
relevant to the broad study of human behavior are welcome, but interests
close to those already developed at IAST will be given special
consideration, including, to cite only a few:
·
In history: quantitative economic history (cliometrics),
empirical political economy in history, qualitative economic or social
history.
·
In biology: theoretical models of evolution (applied to family
structure, strategic interactions, plasticity, cognition, learning,
cultural evolution); related empirical work.
·
In anthropology: human biology, life history theory, human
development and plasticity, health and infectious disease, aging,
demography, host-parasite co-evolution, diet and nutrition, global
health, evolutionary medicine and genetics.
·
In political science: public opinion and public policies,
comparative studies of democratic institutions, democracy and
development, experimental political science, studies of networks and
their impact of individual and collective action.
· In law: law and economics, corporate governance, criminology.
· In psychology: cognition, the emotions, social trust, gender, group decision-making.
· In sociology: network formation, the impact of networks on social outcomes, sociology of religion.
Eligible applicants
Active
researchers who have or will have completed their PhD after January
2015 and before September 2018. The IAST offers candidates an
opportunity to devote themselves full time to their research at the
start of their careers. Motivated applications will be considered from
candidates whose PhDs were completed in 2014 or earlier; please explain
your reasons in your cover letter.
Conditions
Fellows are provided with office space, computer facilities and a contract for two years, renewable for a third year.
All applications need to be sent through our website http://www.iast.fr/apply before December 31, 2017
lundi 18 décembre 2017
MSc Position, USA (closes 15 Jan)
Center for Animal Welfare
University of California-Davis (UC Davis), USA
We are seeking a highly motivated student to complete an MSc project
validating the use of acoustic sensors for tracking laying hen and
broiler chicken movement and health parameters on commercial farms.
The individual will be expected to work at the UC Davis research
facilities and travel to commercial farms to collect acoustic data. The
student is expected to conduct analyses, prepare results for
presentation at scientific meetings, and publish in scientific journals,
in addition to successfully completing all MSc program requirements.
Candidates interested in this opportunity should have a strong work
ethic and a demonstrated interest in poultry science, ethology, sensor
technology, or bioengineering applied to farm animals. Applicants should
have a BA/BSc in animal biology, avian sciences, ethology,
bioengineering, or related fields. Applicant must be able to acquire a
valid California driver’s license at start of project.
The successful candidate will be housed in the Department of Animal Science and will be part of the Center for Animal Welfare (www.animalwelfare.ucdavis.edu).
The candidate can apply to either the Animal Biology or Avian Sciences graduate groups, with deadlines for both groups on January 15th, 2018 for a start date of September 2018.
Candidates are encouraged to contact Dr. Richard Blatchford (rablatchford@ucdavis.edu) for further information, including funding details.
Competitively funded PhD in equine stereotypy
Applications are
invited for a 3 year, competitively funded PhD in the Department of
Psychology, University of Portsmouth, UK, exploring the:
Development and Pathophysiology of Stereotypic Behaviour in Horses.
Stereotypies
are repetitive, invariant compulsive behavioural sequences often
observed in captive or domestic animals. Domestic horses, particularly
those kept in intensive housing systems (boxes, stalls, etc.) show a
range of stereotypic behaviours, including oral (crib-biting) and
locomotor (weaving) behaviours, with the prevalence of stereotypic
behaviours over 30% in certain groups of competition horses.
One
strong risk factor for the development of stereotypic behaviour is
social isolation however, relatively little is known about the
mechanisms that link social behaviour and stereotypies. It has been
suggested that sub-optimal social events may increase the oxidative
free-radical status of the animal, via shifts in dopamine physiology, to
produce the stereotypy phenotype. Supporting this link, there is
substantial evidence to suggest that free radical levels can be
significantly reduced through the ingestion of antioxidants. Antioxidant
supplementation may therefore have the exciting potential to reduce
stereotypy development in animals predisposed to this abnormal
behavioural condition.
Interested candidates should write a research proposal for a project relating to social behaviour, stereotypies and oxidative stress,
or something in this general area. Based in the Centre of Comparative
and Evolutionary Psychology, University of Portsmouth, the project will
be supervised by equine behaviour specialists Dr Leanne Proops, Dr Matt
Parker (University of Portsmouth) and Dr Sebastian McBride
(Aberystwyth). Candidates are strongly encouraged to contact us prior to
submitting a research proposal.
How to apply: Letters of application including a CV and 500-word proposed research outline should be sent to leanne.proops@port.ac.uk and matthew.parker@port.ac.uk by 15th January.
We will select projects that we feel are suitable, and then interview
candidates (likely on the phone/skype). Successful candidates will then
submit their application to the Portsmouth Psychology Department UK
bursary competition, for which the deadline is the 11th February.
Funding & Eligibility: The
position is open to EU/UK students. The competitively funded
studentship includes tuition fees and an annual maintenance grant of
£14,553 (2017/18). A good undergraduate degree in a related field is
essential, a postgraduate degree and experience working with horses is
highly desirable.
16 PhD 9 postdoc 2 technician positions Behaviour/Ecology/Evolution Bielefeld/Münster
If you know of any students with good
experimental and writing skills, point them to these PhD, postdoc and
technician positions at my former research group. The deadline is very
soon (7 January), since projects have to start early 2018,
which I think increases the chance of good candidates.
The positions also offer opportunities for
further collaboration, because a period at a partner lab is mandatory (I
think for most projects).
9 Postdoc, 16 PhD and 2 technician positions -
Niche Choice, Niche Conformance, Niche Construction
Niche Choice, Niche Conformance, Niche Construction
Application deadline: 7th of January 2018
Striped mouse project: research assistant --> research manager, March 2018 to Nov 2019
Position as research assistant (March – October 2018)
and as research manager (November 2018-November 2019
at the striped mouse project in South Africa,
We are looking for an
extremely motivated and independent biology student with a master’s
degree to join the striped mouse project at least until November 2019
and for a maximum of 3 years, first as research assistant (March-October
2018) and afterwards as research manager. This position is suitable for
somebody who would like to gain experience in field work and scientific
management. Assistants / managers get free accommodation at the station
and a compensation to cover their daily costs. Travel costs can be
refunded by up to an additional R 12 000 / year. As such, the position
compensates for all arising costs but does not represent a real
employment.
As
research assistant, you will help the postdoc Pauline Vuarin during her
studies on the extinction risk of different sub-populations in Goegap.
As
research manager you will work closely together with the station
manager and both managers will share responsibilities. However, each
will have specific main duties, but should also be able to deal with all
other duties (for example when the other manager is on leave, or when a
new manager has to be trained). Our current research manager will leave
the project in October 2018. The new research manager will be
instructed by the present research manager.
Skills needed: Good
experience in field work and must good knowledge of behavioural ecology
or a similar field of research. Experiences in working with small
mammals, radio-tracking, blood sampling, living at a remote location are
of advantage.
Great opportunity: This
is a great opportunity to spend 1.5-3 years in Africa, acquiring
important skills in field biology and project management, while
improving your CV. These skills will become valuable whether you later
continue with a PhD or other jobs. It will be very hard and demanding,
but also a once in a life time experience!
You must be
hard-working, highly motivated, able to work independently, good in
communicating with people, able to supervise others, and not afraid of
snakes. You should love to live at a remote place in nature, without
regular internet and cell-phone reception. Most importantly, you are
fascinated by nature and science!
Job description: Five
working days a week (Mo, Tue, Thu, Fr, Sat), with Wednesday being used
for a shopping trip to town (not counted as working day) and Sundays
being free. Included are four weeks of holiday for 12 months, which has
to be taken outside the main breeding season (August to November) during
periods when other students are present at the research station.
Primary duties research manager / secondary duties station manager
· Data:
o Weekly data entry
o Weekly data check
o Monthly data backup
o Monthly data report
o Training and supervision of field assistants
o Training of students and postdocs
o Support for students and postdocs
o Management of transmitters
o Management of field and laboratory supplies
Primary duties station manager / secondary duties research manager
· Technical support research station:
o Water system incl. sewage system
o Solar system
o Gas bottles replacement
o House and furniture
o Running of the respirometry laboratory
o Management of the captive colony
o Management of the research station car
o Management of bank account and cash box
o Management of research station supplies
Compensation:
· Free accommodation.
- A monthly compensation of R 3 500, which is sufficient to pay all costs of living. This compensation will rise to R4 700 per month in November 2018, when the research assistant takes over the research manager position.
- For travel costs, R12 000 per year can be refunded, but proof (receipts) must be presented for this. This refund is only payable after October 2019 and will not be paid if the person leaves earlier than agreed.
- You will become an honorary researcher at the University of the Witwatersrand in the group of Prof. N. Pillay.
- Scientific co-authorship will be possible if the manager contributes to the success of projects by not only collecting the majority of data, but also by data analysis and writing of the manuscript.
Responsibilities:
· The
manager has to cover the costs to get to the station, including travel
costs and visa fees. For this, a refund can be paid (see above).
- The manager needs to arrange for a health insurance covering him / her during the stay. A copy must be sent to C. Schradin before travelling to the stations.
Place and project: Succulent
Karoo Research Station (SKRS) in the Goegap Nature Reserve near
Springbok in the Northern Cape of South Africa. The research projects
are on the socio-ecology of small mammals, studying ecological and
physiological reasons of social behaviour, behavioural flexibility, and
physiological adaptation.
Period: The new manager is expected to start in March 2018 and to stay at least until the end of November 2019, the end of the breeding season 2019. The agreement might be extended for a total period of up to 3 years.
How to apply? Please send a CV, a letter of motivation and the names and contact information of at least two scientists available for reference. The letter of motivation should state why you think you are the perfect candidate for this, and when you could start.
Application deadline: 21st of January. Skype interviews are scheduled for end of January.
Further information under www.stripedmouse.com
Dr.
Carsten Schradin, Director of the Succulent Karoo Research Station, a
registered South African non-profit organization supporting research in
organismic biology.
Research project ANR Aquatherm
Post-doctoral position in Evolutionary Ecophysiology
The CNRS Ecophysiology lab at CEBC, Chizé, France seeks to recruit a post-doctoral research fellow in 2018 for a 20 months long period starting in April 2018 (possible extension to 40 months) to examine the functional basis of climate sensitivity in terrestrial ectotherms. The project is part of an ANR-funded research program to improve general understanding of the interactive effects of temperature and water constraints on the ecology of lizards and snakes (squamate reptiles).
Project description
A major challenge in ecology is to accurately predict responses of organisms to environmental variation. In this context, clarifying proximate mechanisms and possible functional tradeoffs is essential, and integrating physiological mechanisms with ecology and evolution is a relevant and promising approach. Water is vital for terrestrial organisms and this resource exhibits important seasonal and/or spatial fluctuations. Water restriction can alter individual performances and survival, and the regulation of water balance (hydroregulation) can interact with other demands such as energy and thermoregulation resulting in physiological and behavioral conflicts. Our group has recently shown that waterbased functional trade-offs can mediate evolutionary conflicts (e.g., cost of reproduction, parent-offspring conflict), climatic adaptations and responses to climate change, but these are yet largely unconsidered in evolutionary ecology. The ANR-funded AquaTherm research program precisely focuses on the interplay between hydroregulation and thermoregulation in squamate reptiles (lizards and snakes) with a multidisciplinary approach using mechanistic models, field studies of natural populations, and laboratory studies at the individual level.
The candidate will investigate the functional basis of climate sensitivity in two cold adapted squamate species. He/she will study long-term sensitivity and acclimation responses to joint changes in water availability and temperature focusing on the critical gestation and early growth (i.e., summer period) life stages. This work will be based on experimental manipulation of thermal and hydric conditions using climatic chambers and longitudinal measurements of associated metabolic, water loss and fitness responses with state-of-the art techniques.
Work environment
The successful candidate will be recruited by the CNRS in the CEBC laboratory in Chizé (http://www.cebc.cnrs.fr) in the EcoPhysiology team and will also be able to closely collaborate with a dynamic group of ecologists and ecophysiologists in France. He/she will be supervised by CNRS Researcher Olivier Lourdais, a leading expert in thermoregulation, climatic adaptations and reproductive strategies. The student will benefit from the local expertise and complementary approaches to study physiological trade-offs, behavioral responses and individual performances. Our research program involves the CEREEP-Ecotron IleDeFrance (Saint-Pierre-lès-Nemours), iEES Paris, CEBC (Chizé) and SETE Moulis (Saint Girons) laboratories. The post-doctoral research fellow will thus work in an interdisciplinary and lively research environment and will contribute to a national collaborative program involving more than 20 researchers and staff including world leading experts in animal ecology and ecophysiology.
Required qualifications and skills
Candidates should meet the following requirements (1) have a PhD in ecology, ecophysiology, or a related field; (2) a background in evolutionary ecology/ organismal biology / ecophysiology, (3) demonstrated experience in experimental research, (4) a successful publication record and (5) be creative and independent. Candidates are welcome to come with their own ideas provided they are feasible during the time frame of the project.
Terms and salary
The position is available for a period of two years starting preferably in March 2018. Salary is
€22,000 per year. Review of applications will begin on December 15, 2018, and continue
until the position is filled. The initial appointment is for 20 months with potential renewal for
addition 20 months conditional on additional funding from another grant proposal.
How to proceed:
Applications should be sent to lourdais@cebc.cnrs.frApplications should include a single pdf
file with 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.
Candidates should meet the following requirements (1) have a PhD in ecology, ecophysiology, or a related field; (2) a background in evolutionary ecology/ organismal biology / ecophysiology, (3) demonstrated experience in experimental research, (4) a successful publication record and (5) be creative and independent. Candidates are welcome to come with their own ideas provided they are feasible during the time frame of the project.
Terms and salary
The position is available for a period of two years starting preferably in March 2018. Salary is
€22,000 per year. Review of applications will begin on December 15, 2018, and continue
until the position is filled. The initial appointment is for 20 months with potential renewal for
addition 20 months conditional on additional funding from another grant proposal.
How to proceed:
Applications should be sent to lourdais@cebc.cnrs.frApplications should include a single pdf
file with 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.
vendredi 15 décembre 2017
4 PhD positions on the ‘ecology of fear’ in wildlife
4 PhD opportunities
are available to work with Liana
Zanette at Western University, Canada. Prof. Zanette heads the world’s leading research group
experimentally testing the effects of predator-induced fear on the population
and community dynamics of wildlife, and has published
seminal papers demonstrating that fear itself (perceived predation risk) is
powerful enough to affect wildlife population dynamics (Science 2011), the fear of large carnivores can itself cause a trophic cascade (Nature Communications 2016), andthe fear the human
“super predator” inspires in large carnivores can in turn have cascading
effects on ecosystems (Proc R Soc B 2017). PhD 1 will conduct the first
ever comprehensive test of the total impact of fear on the population growth
rate in wildlife. PhD 2 will conduct the
first fully manipulative experimental test of whether the fear of large
carnivores affects the demography of large herbivores, and has cascading
trophic impacts on plant responses. PhD
3 will test the demographic and behavioural impacts the fear of lions has on
their ungulate prey. PhD 4 will test
whether ‘interrogating’ wildlife about their fear of humans can be used as a
tool to diagnose the extent and intensity of poaching and disturbance by
ecotourists. PhDs 1 and 2 will be
conducted on song sparrows and black-tailed deer respectively, on Canada’s Gulf
Islands, and PhDs 3 and 4 will be conducted in private game reserves in South
Africa. Applicants should have an MSc, a passion for research, experience conducting field experiments, publications
in internationally-competitive journals, evidence of research/interest in the
ecology of fear, and have or be well-positioned to compete for an external
scholarship. Western guarantees a minimum
stipend for up to four years. Applicants should provide: (1) a cover
letter; (2) CV with names of 3 referees; and (3) unofficial transcripts from
previous degrees. Use the subject line
“Ecology of fear PhD” and e-mail materials to lzanette@uwo.ca. Review of applications will begin
15 January 2018.
mardi 12 décembre 2017
Emploi
Es-tu l'élu(e) ? Tu as une formation en biologie? Tu as à coeur la
création d'aires protégées et la sauvegarde de la biodiversité au
Québec? Ce poste est peut-être pour toi! ICI pour postuler avant le 15
décembre, midi - > http://bit.ly/2jxPWyK
PhD studentships on the behaviour of wild spider monkeys at Universidad Veracruzana, Mexico
Two 4-year PhD studentships on wild spider monkeys
Two 4-year PhD studentships are available to carry out projects on the behaviour of wild spider monkeys at Universidad Veracruzana (Mexico) under the supervision of experienced researchers. Potential applicants should email me (faureli [ chez ] uv.mx) and mention which of the two research topics they are interested in.
Hormonal underpinnings of social interactions in spider monkeys
(in collaboration with Dr. Pedro Dias, Universidad Veracruzana)
Grooming reciprocity and negotiation in spider monkeys
(in collaboration with Dr. Gabriele Schino, CNR, Italian Research Council)
Potential applicants should have a Masters degree in a relevant field and have some knowledge of Spanish. The PhD thesis can be written in English, but knowledge of Spanish is important to navigate the bureaucracy. Specific qualifications will be asked after receiving the email expressing the research topic of interest.
Contact should be made as soon as possible as applicants need to submit a research protocol developed with the potential supervisor during the application process.
Information about the application process and the PhD program can be found at the following links (it is the information for last application round; it will be updated in 2018):
www.uv.mx/dneuro/sitios-de-interes-y-noticias-y-eventos/avisos-y-eventos/
www.uv.mx/dneuro/
Two 4-year PhD studentships are available to carry out projects on the behaviour of wild spider monkeys at Universidad Veracruzana (Mexico) under the supervision of experienced researchers. Potential applicants should email me (faureli [ chez ] uv.mx) and mention which of the two research topics they are interested in.
Hormonal underpinnings of social interactions in spider monkeys
(in collaboration with Dr. Pedro Dias, Universidad Veracruzana)
Grooming reciprocity and negotiation in spider monkeys
(in collaboration with Dr. Gabriele Schino, CNR, Italian Research Council)
Potential applicants should have a Masters degree in a relevant field and have some knowledge of Spanish. The PhD thesis can be written in English, but knowledge of Spanish is important to navigate the bureaucracy. Specific qualifications will be asked after receiving the email expressing the research topic of interest.
Contact should be made as soon as possible as applicants need to submit a research protocol developed with the potential supervisor during the application process.
Information about the application process and the PhD program can be found at the following links (it is the information for last application round; it will be updated in 2018):
www.uv.mx/dneuro/sitios-de-interes-y-noticias-y-eventos/avisos-y-eventos/
www.uv.mx/dneuro/
lundi 11 décembre 2017
Research Officer (Cohort Studies) (London_1524)
Overview
Salary
Competitive
Competitive
Location
London
London
Job Type
Permanent
Permanent
Hours per Week
35 Hours
35 Hours
Closing date
01 January 2018
01 January 2018
Are you an experienced Researcher in animal welfare science with expertise in studies involving pet owners? Do you have good knowledge of research methods, data collection techniques and statistical analysis?
Dogs Trust is the largest dog welfare charity in the UK, with a nationwide network of rehoming centres and charity shops. Last year, Dogs Trust centres cared for over 15,000 dogs; we never put a healthy dog down.
The Dogs Trust Research Team is looking for a researcher with quantitative research experience to join our Head Office based team on a permanent basis. The primary focus of the role will be to assist with the running of Dogs Trust cohort studies (Generation Pup and post adoption projects).
Dogs Trust is committed to ensuring best practice in the care and welfare of dogs. To achieve this aim, it is important that a robust and critical approach is taken when collecting data, and evaluating both research evidence and current activity. The collection and analysis of relevant data, for example through the use of cohort studies of dog owners, is key to developing strategies to ensure the optimum welfare of dogs.
The aim of this position is to work with the Senior Veterinary Epidemiologist to support the running of Dogs Trust cohort studies (Generation Pup and Post adoption projects). This includes helping to prepare online and paper questionnaires for data collection, liaising with owners (through email, phone and social medial communication), assisting with other aspects of data collection – including (but not limited to) veterinary records, health cards completed by veterinary practice staff and behaviour videos. Preparing data for analysis and conducting analyses of data in addition to presenting results at conferences and meetings will be part of this role. The post holder may also be expected to assist with other projects being conducted within the Dogs Trust research group, as required by the Senior Veterinary Epidemiologist.
To be successful in this role you will have a qualification in veterinary medicine or science, animal behaviour or welfare, animal science, or a related subject, ideally with a postgraduate research qualification. You will have a good knowledge of research methods, data collection techniques and statistical analysis, with some experience in supervising students undertaking research
To apply for this position please click the APPLY NOW button. Our application process requires you to submit a CV and cover letter explaining your interest and suitability for the role.
dimanche 10 décembre 2017
PhD position in Behavioural Ecology, Wageningen University, The Netherlands
PhD position in Behavioural Ecology, Wageningen University, The Netherlands
Vocal communication and breeding decisions in wild zebra finches
PhD position
We offer a 4 year PhD Position (1.0 FTE) to undertake research on communication and breeding decisions in wild zebra finches within the Behavioural Ecology chair group at Wageningen University, the Netherlands in cooperation with Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia. This position is financed by an Open Competition ALW grant by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO).
Project details
The aim of this project is to determine how animals respond behaviourally and physiologically in their breeding decisions to climatic variability, using wild zebra finches in the Australian arid zone as model. Zebra finches are the best-studied avian model organism under laboratory conditions, yet decisions and signals used to time and optimize reproduction in nature are poorly understood. Here we will use a long-term monitored Australian field population to identify how birds signal to achieve physiological and behavioural synchrony for optimizing reproduction. While the project consider all vocal signals including calls, it will specifically test hypotheses on the function of male song. This unique field project will provide key advances in our understanding of signalling and behavioural decisions of animals breeding under ecologically challenging and unpredictable climatic conditions. It also will open new doors for understanding social functions of elaborate signals and for laboratory studies on behavioural mechanisms using ecologically refined conditions. The project is supervised by Prof. Marc Naguib at Wageningen University in collaboration with Prof. Simon Griffith at Macquarie University in Sydney. The field research will be conducted at a well established zebra finch population at Fowlers Gap Research Station in New South Wales, Australia.
We ask
• MSc-degree in Biology with specialization in Animal Behaviour / Behavioural Ecology or equivalent experience
• Strong experimental and analytical skills
• Good organizational and (written and spoken) communication skills in English
• Proven ability to collaborate with others.
• Willingness to conduct and organize extensive ornithological fieldwork at a remote location.
• Willingness to travel internationally, to attend conferences and visit other institutes.
• A driving licence
We offer
• A contract with full social benefits based on the Collective Employment Agreement of the Dutch Universities (CAO for 38 hrs/week. Initially the PhD-appointment will be for a period of 18 months. Continuation of the appointment with another 30 months is contingent on a positive performance evaluation. Based on a full time appointment, gross salary will be € 2.222 per month in the first year, rising each year up to €2.840 per month in the fourth year and includes contribution to a pension scheme. The salary is supplemented with a holiday allowance (8%) and an end of year bonus of 8,3% % of the gross salary per year.
• Participation in the training program of the Graduate School WIAS at Wageningen University.
• Stimulating international research environment
• An excellent opportunity to develop an international scientific network.
The organization
The successful candidate will join the stimulating and international research environment of Wageningen University & Research. Wageningen University is worldwide renowned for its research and education in the field of life sciences. Through these activities it aims to make essential contributions to the quality of life. This approach has led to Wageningen University being ranked as the best agricultural university and #1 in environment & ecology in the world according to the National Taiwan University Ranking 2017.
This project will be carried out in the Behavioural Ecology Group within the Department of Animal Sciences with fieldwork being carried out at Fowlers Gap Research Station in NSW, Australia.
For further information, please contact Marc Naguib (marc.naguib@wur.nl
4-year PhD studentships
Two 4-year PhD studentships on wild spider monkeys
Two 4-year PhD studentships are available to carry out projects on the behaviour of wild spider monkeys at Universidad Veracruzana (Mexico) under the supervision of experienced researchers. Potential applicants should email me (faureli@uv.mx) and mention which of the two research topics they are interested in.
Hormonal underpinnings of social interactions in spider monkeys
(in collaboration with Dr. Pedro Dias, Universidad Veracruzana)
Grooming reciprocity and negotiation in spider monkeys
(in collaboration with Dr. Gabriele Schino, CNR, Italian Research Council)
Two 4-year PhD studentships are available to carry out projects on the behaviour of wild spider monkeys at Universidad Veracruzana (Mexico) under the supervision of experienced researchers. Potential applicants should email me (faureli@uv.mx) and mention which of the two research topics they are interested in.
Hormonal underpinnings of social interactions in spider monkeys
(in collaboration with Dr. Pedro Dias, Universidad Veracruzana)
Grooming reciprocity and negotiation in spider monkeys
(in collaboration with Dr. Gabriele Schino, CNR, Italian Research Council)
Potential
applicants should have a Masters degree in a relevant field and have
some knowledge of Spanish. The PhD thesis can be written in English, but
knowledge of Spanish is
important to navigate the bureaucracy. Specific qualifications will be
asked after receiving the email expressing the research topic of
interest.
Contact should be made as soon as possible as applicants need to submit a research protocol developed with the potential supervisor during the application process.
Information about the application process and the PhD program can be found at the following links (it is the information for last application round; it will be updated in 2018):
Contact should be made as soon as possible as applicants need to submit a research protocol developed with the potential supervisor during the application process.
Information about the application process and the PhD program can be found at the following links (it is the information for last application round; it will be updated in 2018):
mercredi 6 décembre 2017
Open PhD position in Behavioural Ecology and Conservation
School of Life Sciences PhD Studentship
University of Sussex
Insect behaviour, life history and environmental change
A Ph.D. studentship (42 months) is available from September 2018 under the supervision of
Dr Wiebke Schuett, Department of Evolution, Behaviour and Environment, School of Life
Sciences.
Deadline: 6
th
January 2018
Environmental, including anthropogenic, change has vast consequences on individuals,
population dynamics and communities. Behaviour is often the first response to such change.
Thus, understanding individuals’ behavioural response to environmental change is important
for identifying which individuals or species are likely to persist in or disappear from altered
habitats. Individuals of many species consistently differ in their behaviour (i.e. show
personality differences). Such personality differences are often closely linked to life-history,
physiological and/or morphological traits, forming suits of correlated traits (i.e. pace-of-life
syndromes, POLS). Unravelling how environmental conditions influence POLS structure
would make an important contribution to understanding responses to and (ecological and
evolutionary) consequences of environmental change.
A fully-funded Ph.D. studentship is offered in this research area. Topics that the successful
candidate could pursue include the influence of environmental change (e.g. urbanization,
climate change) on behaviour, and other POL traits, as well as their (co)variance. This might
involve the evolution of personality differences, information use and decision-making under
unpredictable environmental conditions, causes and consequences of POLS and impacts of
environmental conditions on individuals, populations and communities. We offer the
opportunity to work on insects, but work on other invertebrates might also be possible.
Experimental work can be conducted in the field, in enclosures (preferably on ground
beetles) and/or in the laboratory (several taxa).
Please submit a formal application using our online application system at
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/phd/apply, including a cover letter (headed with project title), a
short potential project outline (ca. 300-500 words), CV (max 2 pages), BSc/MSc degree
transcripts and certificates, IELTS certificate (if non-UK) and names of two academic
referees.
Candidates must hold/expect to obtain minimum 2:1 in BSc Biology or relevant subject. An
MSc degree will be advantageous. We expect a highly motivated, talented, well-organised
and meticulous candidate with strong quantitative skills. The candidate will have background
in Behavioural Ecology, Field Ecology, Conservation, Evolution and/or Experimental Ecology.
Previous experience in collecting data in the field, working with insects, behavioural
observations, physiological analyses, statistical modelling (preferentially in R) is
advantageous. Candidates for whom English is not their first language will require an IELTS
score of 6.5 overall, with not less than 6.0 in any section. A driving license is desirable.
Contact Anna Izykowska for application enquiries (a.izykowska@sussex.ac.uk)
Contact Dr Wiebke Schuett for enquiries about the project (wiebke.schuett@uni-hamburg.de)
University of Sussex
Insect behaviour, life history and environmental change
A Ph.D. studentship (42 months) is available from September 2018 under the supervision of
Dr Wiebke Schuett, Department of Evolution, Behaviour and Environment, School of Life
Sciences.
Deadline: 6
th
January 2018
Environmental, including anthropogenic, change has vast consequences on individuals,
population dynamics and communities. Behaviour is often the first response to such change.
Thus, understanding individuals’ behavioural response to environmental change is important
for identifying which individuals or species are likely to persist in or disappear from altered
habitats. Individuals of many species consistently differ in their behaviour (i.e. show
personality differences). Such personality differences are often closely linked to life-history,
physiological and/or morphological traits, forming suits of correlated traits (i.e. pace-of-life
syndromes, POLS). Unravelling how environmental conditions influence POLS structure
would make an important contribution to understanding responses to and (ecological and
evolutionary) consequences of environmental change.
A fully-funded Ph.D. studentship is offered in this research area. Topics that the successful
candidate could pursue include the influence of environmental change (e.g. urbanization,
climate change) on behaviour, and other POL traits, as well as their (co)variance. This might
involve the evolution of personality differences, information use and decision-making under
unpredictable environmental conditions, causes and consequences of POLS and impacts of
environmental conditions on individuals, populations and communities. We offer the
opportunity to work on insects, but work on other invertebrates might also be possible.
Experimental work can be conducted in the field, in enclosures (preferably on ground
beetles) and/or in the laboratory (several taxa).
Please submit a formal application using our online application system at
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/phd/apply, including a cover letter (headed with project title), a
short potential project outline (ca. 300-500 words), CV (max 2 pages), BSc/MSc degree
transcripts and certificates, IELTS certificate (if non-UK) and names of two academic
referees.
Candidates must hold/expect to obtain minimum 2:1 in BSc Biology or relevant subject. An
MSc degree will be advantageous. We expect a highly motivated, talented, well-organised
and meticulous candidate with strong quantitative skills. The candidate will have background
in Behavioural Ecology, Field Ecology, Conservation, Evolution and/or Experimental Ecology.
Previous experience in collecting data in the field, working with insects, behavioural
observations, physiological analyses, statistical modelling (preferentially in R) is
advantageous. Candidates for whom English is not their first language will require an IELTS
score of 6.5 overall, with not less than 6.0 in any section. A driving license is desirable.
Contact Anna Izykowska for application enquiries (a.izykowska@sussex.ac.uk)
Contact Dr Wiebke Schuett for enquiries about the project (wiebke.schuett@uni-hamburg.de)
Campagne de recrutement de Post-Doc 2018-2019- Institute For Advanced Study In Toulouse (IAST)
IAST Research Fellowships in Evolutionary Biology,
The Institute for Advanced Study in Toulouse (IAST;
www.iast.fr) invites applications for post-doctoral research fellowships in Evolutionary Biology, with a start date of September 1, 2018.
We welcome applications from
researchers with research interests in any of the following areas:
theoretical models of evolution (applied to family structure, strategic
interactions, plasticity, cognition, learning,
cultural evolution); related empirical work.
We seek candidates with a
strong research background in their own discipline, but willing and able
to develop research projects drawing on IAST’s substantial
interdisciplinary resources, including particularly the
proximity of strong groups in economics (Toulouse School of Economics,
TSE). We are open to a variety of research methods, including theory,
field and laboratory experiments, observational field work, and the
analysis of large secondary data sets. All research
interests relevant to the broad study of human behavior are welcome,
but interests close to those already developed at IAST will be given
special consideration.
Eligible applicants
Active researchers who have
or will have completed their PhD after January 2015 and before September
2018. The IAST offers its researchers an opportunity to devote
themselves full time to their research at the start
of their careers. Motivated applications will be considered from
candidates whose PhDs were completed in 2014 or earlier; please explain
your reasons in your cover letter.
Conditions
Fellows are provided with office space, computer facilities and a contract for two years, renewable for a third year.
All applications need to be sent through our website:
http://www.iast.fr/apply before December 31, 2017
lundi 4 décembre 2017
Stage M2 : Personnalité, investissement parental et conséquences sur le succès de reproduction chez le busard cendré (Circus pygargus)
Encadrement
Juliette Rabdeau, doctorante CEBC-Université de La Rochelle (juliette.rabdeau@cebc.cnrs.fr)
Karine Monceau, Maître de Conférences Université de La Rochelle (karine.monceau@univ-lr.fr)
Isabelle Badenhausser, Ingénieur de recherche CEBC-INRA
Juliette Rabdeau, doctorante CEBC-Université de La Rochelle (juliette.rabdeau@cebc.cnrs.fr)
Karine Monceau, Maître de Conférences Université de La Rochelle (karine.monceau@univ-lr.fr)
Isabelle Badenhausser, Ingénieur de recherche CEBC-INRA
Période - Durée
Avril-août 2018
Résumé
La personnalité animale décrit des différences constantes entre les individus d’une même population, dans leur comportement, à travers le temps et différents contextes. Quelques études suggèrent l’existence de liens entre la personnalité animale et la sélection sexuelle. Pour des espèces à soins biparentaux, des études ont montré que des traits de personnalité comme la témérité pourraient être un signal honnête de la qualité des mâles dans leur investissement parental et seraient utilisés par les femelles dans leur choix de partenaire sexuel. Les combinaisons des traits de personnalité du mâle et de la femelle pourraient avoir ainsi des conséquences sur le succès de reproduction.
Dans ce projet de stage, nous étudierons les réponses comportementales à l’Homme, des mâles et femelles chez une espèce protégée, le busard cendré (Circus pygargus) en milieu agricole. Nous analyserons les liens de ces traits comportementaux à l’investissement parental du mâle et de la femelle. Le busard cendré est une espèce aux soins biparentaux avec des soins spécifiques à chaque sexe : le mâle assure l’approvisionnement en proies pour la femelle et les poussins, et défend le nid tandis que la femelle incube les œufs et défend le nid. Enfin, nous étudierons les conséquences des combinaisons de traits de personnalité au sein du couple en interaction avec leur investissement parental sur le succès de reproduction.
La personnalité animale décrit des différences constantes entre les individus d’une même population, dans leur comportement, à travers le temps et différents contextes. Quelques études suggèrent l’existence de liens entre la personnalité animale et la sélection sexuelle. Pour des espèces à soins biparentaux, des études ont montré que des traits de personnalité comme la témérité pourraient être un signal honnête de la qualité des mâles dans leur investissement parental et seraient utilisés par les femelles dans leur choix de partenaire sexuel. Les combinaisons des traits de personnalité du mâle et de la femelle pourraient avoir ainsi des conséquences sur le succès de reproduction.
Dans ce projet de stage, nous étudierons les réponses comportementales à l’Homme, des mâles et femelles chez une espèce protégée, le busard cendré (Circus pygargus) en milieu agricole. Nous analyserons les liens de ces traits comportementaux à l’investissement parental du mâle et de la femelle. Le busard cendré est une espèce aux soins biparentaux avec des soins spécifiques à chaque sexe : le mâle assure l’approvisionnement en proies pour la femelle et les poussins, et défend le nid tandis que la femelle incube les œufs et défend le nid. Enfin, nous étudierons les conséquences des combinaisons de traits de personnalité au sein du couple en interaction avec leur investissement parental sur le succès de reproduction.
Missions du stagiaire : analyses de données déjà acquises (saison 2017) et part importante de travail sur le terrain comprenant des observations comportementales et le suivi de reproduction des busards cendrés sur la Zone Atelier Plaine et Val de Sèvre (http://www.za.plainevalsevre.cnrs.fr) pour l’acquisition des données de la saison 2018.
Références bibliographiques
Réale, D., Reader, S.M., Sol, D., McDougall, P.T., and Dingemanse, N.J. (2007). Integrating animal temperament within ecology and evolution. Biol. Rev. 82, 291–318.
Schuett, W., Tregenza, T., and Dall, S.R.X. (2010). Sexual selection and animal personality. Biol. Rev. 85, 217–246.
Both, C., Dingemanse, N.J., Drent, P.J., and Tinbergen, J.M. (2005). Pairs of extreme avian personalities have highest reproductive success. J. Anim. Ecol. 74, 667–674.
Compétences particulières exigées
Connaissances en écologie comportementale et biologie évolutive.
Bonnes connaissances statistiques (modèles linéaires généralisés, modèles mixtes) et utilisation du logiciel R.
Expérience en manipulation et/ou observation d’oiseaux
Autonomie
Permis de conduire avec plus de 2 ans de permis (OBLIGATOIRE)
Connaissances en écologie comportementale et biologie évolutive.
Bonnes connaissances statistiques (modèles linéaires généralisés, modèles mixtes) et utilisation du logiciel R.
Expérience en manipulation et/ou observation d’oiseaux
Autonomie
Permis de conduire avec plus de 2 ans de permis (OBLIGATOIRE)
Gratification & Conditions d’accueil
Gratification de stage
Possibilité de logement et restauration sur place
Modalités de candidature
CV et lettre de motivation à envoyer jusqu’au 10/12/17 à Juliette Rabdeau (également pour toute demande d’informations) et Karine Monceau.
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