Projet de thèse Année 2018

Ecole doctorale « Cerveau‐Cognition-Comportement » (ED 158 3C)
Titre du projet : Codage efficace et contexte sensoriel dans le système olfactif de l’insecte

L’olfaction est essentielle dans le déterminisme des traits de vie des insectes (reproductio n, alimentation, défense). Elle leur permet de s’orienter vers des sources d’odeur avec une efficacité unique qui contribue à leur succès adaptatif. C’est tout particulièrement le cas chez les papillons de nuit chez lesquels les performances du système olfactif impliqué dans la perception de la phéromone sexuelle sont remarquables en termes de sélectivité, sensibilité et rapidité. Les papillons de nuit mâles démontrent des capacités exceptionnelles de localisation de la source (femelles émettrice de phéromone) à grande distance (centaines de mètres), dépassant de très loin les capacités des meilleures technologies actuellement disponibles. La localisation d’une source d’odeur est pourtant une tâche extrêmement difficile car, en conditions naturelles, il n’existe pas de gradient de concentration qui puisse être utilisé et la détection des molécules odorantes est intermittente. En effet, le panache d’odeur est profondément modifié par les turbulences atmosphériques, il est constitué de filaments d’odeur de durée, intensité et espacement très variables et dont la statistique change avec la distance à la source [1]. Ainsi, la dynamique des détections d’odeur est la seule information sur la position de sa source. De plus, les signaux spécifiques que sont les phéromones sont perçus au sein d’un paysage odorant complexe, bruité et changeant, qui peut significativement affecter le comportement de l’insecte. Des composés volatils émis par les plantes (CVP) interfèrent avec la perception de la phéromone [2].

Malgré les progrès notables réalisés dans la description quantitative des fonctions du système olfactif de l’insecte [3], nous ne comprenons toujours pas comment l’efficacité du traitement des informations sensorielles peut se maintenir en dépit de la variabilité considérable des environnements
odorants naturels. Pour aborder cette question, ce projet de thèse vise à :
- Recréer au laboratoire des scènes olfactives réalistes sur les plans qualitatif (nature des composés, en particulier les CVP représentatifs d’un écosystème donné), quantitatif (concentration des constituants du panache) et dynamique (structure temporelle des puffs d’odeur).
- Enregistrer par des techniques d’électrophysiologie bien maîtrisées au laboratoire les réponses à différentes scènes olfactives de neurones des deux premières couches du système olfactif de l’insecte : i) neurones récepteurs olfactifs responsables de la transduction olfactive et ii) neurones du lobe antennaire, le centre primaire de l’intégration olfactive.
- Analyser comment le codage olfactif dépend du bruit de fond odorant. En collaboration avec L. Kostal (Dept de Neuroscience computationnelle, Institut de Physiology, Prague), une axe d’analysedes données électrophysiologiques sera basé sur l’hypothèse du codage efficace, un modèle théorique du codage sensoriel [4] (la représentation neuronale de stimuli sous forme d’émission de potentiels d’action). Selon cette hypothèse, les réponses nerveuses sont adaptées via des processus évolutifs pour encoder de façon optimale les stimuli de l’environnement naturel d’un organisme. Il s’agit d’une méthode générale pour aborder la question du codage nerveux.

Les objectifs de ce projet sont :
- L’analyse des performances de codage phéromonal (codage intensitif et temporel) à partir des réponses des neurones olfactifs périphériques et centraux.
- L’étude de l’ajustement de la précision de codage à la statistique de scènes olfactives réalistes.
- La mesure des effets d’environnement naturels de CVP sur le codage phéromonal.

La compréhension des capacités de codage du système olfactif des insectes représente un préalable indispensable à l’élucidation de leur(s) stratégie(s) d’orientation. Les enjeux socio-économiques de ce
projet concernent la lutte contre les insectes ravageurs et l’olfaction artificielle avec les robots traqueurs d’odeur.

Références
[1] Celani et al. (2014) Odor landscapes in turbulent environments. Phys. Rev. X 4, 041015.
[2] Dupuy et al. (2017) A background of a volatile plant compound alters neural and behavioral responses to the sex pheromone blend in a moth. Front Physiol 8:79.
[3] Jacob et al. (2017) Olfactory coding in the turbulent realm. PLoS Comput Biol 13(12):e1005870.
[4] Barlow (1961) Possible principles underlying the transformations of sensory messages, in Sensory
Communication, W.A. Rosenblith, Editor. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. p. 217-234.

Direction de thèse - contact
Philippe LUCAS
Institut d’Ecologie et des Sciences de l’Environnement https://ieesparis.ufr918.upmc.fr/
Département d’Ecologie Sensorielle https://ieesparis.ufr918.upmc.fr/spip.php?article134
Equipe de Neuroéthologie de l’Olfaction https://ieesparis.ufr918.upmc.fr/spip.php?article136
INRA, route de St Cyr, 78026 Versailles Cedex
philippe.lucas@inra.fr - 01 30 83 37 37

Modalités de candidature et calendrier
Une seule candidature sur ce projet de thèse doit être validée par notre laboratoire avant le 4 juin 2018 pour être déposée sur le site de l’Ecole Doctorale. Les candidats sont donc invités à prendrecontact le plus rapidement possible avec le laboratoire. Les auditions des candidats sélectionnés auront lieu du 4 au 6 juillet 2018 (http://ed3c.upmc.fr/index.php/contrats-doctoraux-fr)

research manager Succulent Karoo Research Station

Position as research assistant and as research manager (July 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 in July / August 2018 at least until November 2019 and for a maximum of 3 years, first as research assistant (until 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 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.

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 must have a drivers licence and you must 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!

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!

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 July / August 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: There is no deadline but the position is open until filled. Thus, when you are interested: send your application as soon as possible!

Further information under www.stripedmouse.com

Contact: succulent.karoo.research.station@kabelbw.de

Dr. Carsten Schradin, Director of the Succulent Karoo Research Station, a registered South African non-profit organization supporting research in organismic biology.

PhD Funded Studentship

Explore the bush-cricket (katydid) ear from various perspectives: structural, mechanical and physiological.

We are seeking an outstanding, highly motivated PhD student to work on an ERC Consolidator Award project entitled 'The Insect cochlea: a non-invasive path towards enhanced sound detectors' within the University of Lincoln’s School of Life Sciences.

The successful candidate will be passionate about biomechanics, acoustics, sensory and comparative biology and will investigate the implementation of non-invasive techniques to measure inner ear activity.

Informal enquiries may be made to Professor Fernando Montealegre-Zapata: fmontealegrez@lincoln.ac.uk

Applicants should have a first or higher upper second-class honours degree, and preferably a relevant Master’s degree (or equivalent experience) in sensory biology with substantial experience of excellent report-writing and English language communication skills, and ability to work to deadlines.

Suitably qualified candidates worldwide may apply, although International students must self-fund the difference between the International and UK/EU fee rate.

Applications must comprise: 1-page covering letter, 2-page research proposal, 2-page CV, and be e-mailed to Professor Montealegre-Z at fmontealegrez@lincoln.ac.uk. The letter and any communication should be in English. 

Start date: 2nd July 2018 or as soon as possible thereafter

£15,549.74 per annum stipend.

Tuition Fees (capped at UK/EU fee level) covered though the ERC Consolidator Award and the Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA), which requires the student to conduct up to 6 hours of teaching or related work per week.

Follow link for more details:

http://lncn.eu/fiu9

PhD Position in Trinity College Dublin, Ireland - Remote and Automatic Monitoring of Bird Populations

A fully funded PhD position is available in the Dept of Electronic & Electrical Engineering at Trinity College Dublin for a Sept 2018 start. The topic is “Remote and Automatic Monitoring of Bird Populations”. In short, the research combines aspects of signal processing for audio, speech and language analysis with machine learning in the realm of bird song. Full details of the position, including application process, are available at:

http://www.mee.tcd.ie/~sigmedia/pmwiki/uploads/Main.Welcome/phd_advert.pdf

Please contact me at nharte@tcd.ie to discuss informally.

Impact of predation by domestic cat long-term survey

As part of a PhD study, we are conducting a long term survey on predation by pet domestic cats. Any cat owners living in the UK is encouraged to participate, whether the cat is a hunter or not. Please have a look at our webpage to register. If you know other cat owners, please forward this e-mail since we hope to reach as many people as possible.

www.whatthecatdraggedin.org

www.facebook.com/catpredation

www.twitter.com/catpredation

Ph.D. Position - Systems Neuroscience

Technical University of Munich
“Sleep and Memory Consolidation in Songbirds”

Dr. Janie M. Ondracek
Chair of Zoology, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan

• We are seeking a highly motivated Ph.D. student to research the interplay between sleep and memory consolidation in songbirds.
• The project combines electrophysiological, computational, and behavioral approaches.
• 3-years funding from DFG.

Required skills
• MSc or equivalent degree in computational neuroscience, electrical engineering, or biology with emphasis on neuroscience.
• Experience in the investigation of neural circuits using electrophysiological or behavioral approaches.
• Good computer skills (Unix, Windows) and proficiency in at least one programming language (e.g. MATLAB,).
• Strong analytical skills with a focus on quantitative methods, statistics, and signal processing.
• Highly motivated, able to work independently.
• Have very good English speaking and writing skills.

Applications
send a pdf to janie.ondracek@tum.deincluding:
1) a curriculum vitae
2) certificates and transcripts of academic degrees
3) a letter of motivation detailing the applicant’s research interests
4) a description of programming projects
5) contact information for at least 2 references.
Applications will be accepted until October 15, with the intention to hire by Dec. 2018.

Project Description
Sleep has been described in animals ranging from worms to humans, yet the purpose of brain activity during sleep remains a mystery. One view, well supported by data, is that sleep benefits memory. In order to investigate ancestral functions of sleep in non-mammalian species, we will use the vocal learning paradigm of the songbird to examine the link between leaning, sleep, and memory by using chronic electrophysiology, behavioral conditioning, and computational approaches.
Specifically, this student will build on her/his existing skills to
1) build and implant tetrode-mounted microdrives
2) monitor experiments and acquire electrophysiological and behavioral sleep data
3) develop analysis software to analyze large data sets
4) use and contribute to existing open source technologies by creatively solving problems and developing novel hardware and software solutions.

Our offer
• The doctoral candidate will be employed by TUM (65 % TV-L E13) for a total duration of three years (with possible extension).
• The student will benefit from ties to the LMU Munich, the MPI for Ornithology, the MPI for Brain Research, and the Institute of Neuroinformatics, Zurich.

We are looking for a motivated and competent candidate for a PhD thesis

Effects  of  prenatal  stress  on  personality  and  group  level  behaviour  of juvenile mound building mice
Context.  Stress  experienced  by  mothers  during  pregnancy  has  the  potential  to  modulate  the  offspring’s behavioural  and  physiological  development.  The  effects  of  maternal  stress  on  offspring  phenotype  might  not necessarily  be  pathological  but  can  adaptively  adjust  the  offspring  to  challenging  environments.  For  example, pregnant  females  experiencing  social  stress  during  high  population  density  may  produce  offspring  with behavioural  types  being  well  adjusted  to  cope  with  such  high  density  situations.  The  resulting  differences  in offspring behavioural phenotype can have functional consequences at the individual level - but also at the level of the sibling group, for example when littermates interact in a collective task necessary for their survival.
Study species.  In the mound building mouse (Mus spicilegus), juveniles from the same  litter  collectively build a large mound of soil and plant material in autumn. These mounds are essential for winter survival, as the juveniles stay in tunnels and burrows underneath, well protected from humidity and low temperatures. Presumably under high density  situations,  different  sibling  groups  can join together  to  build the  mound collectively  (mixed-litter groups). First studies of our research team show that individual variation in the transport of mound building items are associated with an individual‘s personality type.
Research questions. In the proposed project, (i) the effects of maternal social stress on offspring personality and its consequences on the individual transport performance will be studied. (ii) At the group level, it will be studied how  the  distribution  of  personality  types  within  a  group  of  siblings  affects  the  transport  performance  during mound building. (iii) Do prenatally stressed mixed-litter groups differ in transport performance from mixed-litter groups stemming  from non-stressed mothers?  It might be predicted that offspring from stressed mothers are particularly efficient to perform in mixed-litter groups.  (iv)  Do single-litter or mixed-litter  groups from stressed mothers perform better under challenging environmental conditions (i.e. under an increased predation risk) than single-litter or mixed-litter groups from non-stressed mothers?
Methods. Pregnant females will be stressed by repeated social confrontations. Offspring personality types will be determined  by  repeated standardized  behavioural  tests.  Individual differences in physiological stress responses will be quantified by infrared thermography and via faecal and serum corticosteroid levels.  Individual and group level  transport  performance  of  mound  building  items  will  be  quantified  in  experiments  under  laboratory conditions using RFID-based data loggers.  An increased predation risk will be simulated  by  the  presentation of predator odour. Data analysis will be performed by multifactorial statistical modelling.
Candidate. The successful candidate (with a Master in ethology, behavioural sciences or in a related field) should have experience in animal experimentation, preferably with  mammals,  and should have a good level of English.
Knowledge in applied statistics (with R, SPSS etc.) will be advantageous.
Supervision. Prof. Heiko G. Rödel, Laboratoire d’Ethologie Expérimentale et Comparée (LEEC), Université Paris 13,
France. Email: heiko.rodel@leec.univ-paris13.fr | Phone: +33(0)14940 3218 | website: http://leec.univ-paris13.fr
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=CYj8VnoAAAAJ&hl
Procedure.  Applicants will be pre-selected based on their qualifications.  Please send a short CV  (incl.  marks  of licence/bachelor and master, and names  +  contact data  of 2 referees)  and  a  letter of interest by email to H.G. Rödel before/until the 07 May 2018. Do not hesitate to request further information by email or by phone.
The  chosen  candidate  will  then apply with this  project to  the  Ecole  Doctorale Galilée  (Université  Paris 13)  for funding of a 3-year contract.  Candidates should be willing come in person for the interview by the Ecole Doctorale (in late June). The thesis will start in September 2018.

Ornithological field position

We are seeking to recruit a research technician as part of a collaborative project (University of York and Natural England), based at the Humberhead Peatlands NNR near Doncaster.

The project is part of a wider EU LIFE+ funded project called ‘That’s LIFE’, focusing on the restoration of lowland blanket bog through scrub removal and re-wetting. The Humberhead Peatlands is an SPA for its breeding population of European nightjars and an SAC for its lowland bog habitat.

The nightjar project fieldwork aims to collect data on any behavioural and population changes that occur as a result of this restoration work. The work involves ringing, tagging and tracking European nightjars, as well as nest finding to investigate breeding productivity and exploring their food resources through moth trapping on the NNR from June to August 2017.

We are able to offer shared accommodation close to the field sites. Fieldwork involves long hours in the field, primarily during the evening and overnight, with some afternoon work to find nests. In addition, staff will assist with maintenance of kit and recording of data. The work will be conducted in small teams of employees, students and volunteers.

We are seeking an avian field technician (grade 3 (~£18,263) to grade 4 (~ £20,989) pro rata dependent on experience). One person required for 8 -10 weeks, on a full-time basis.

The ideal candidate would have:

·         A or C-permit ringing licence

·         Experience of ornithological fieldwork, particularly ringing and breeding surveys

·         Experience of, and enthusiasm for, working outdoors

·         Full, clean driving licence

·         Good physical fitness

Desirable criteria:

·         Experience of fitting or using radio/GPS tags

·         Own transport

If you are interested in the role please contact Dr Kathryn Arnold Kathryn.Arnold@york.ac.uk, with your CV, references and a short covering letter, detailing previous experience.

For informal enquiries, please contact Lucy Mitchell (PhD Student) ljr540@york.ac.uk.

Deadline 4th May 2018

Please note that the positions will be offered subject to satisfactory references, check of eligibility to work in the U.K. (verified copy of passport) and proof of qualifications if necessary.

Whilst we will attempt to reply to all candidates, the volume of applications we receive may mean that this is not possible. If you have not heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, you should assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

PhD position in plant pollinator- and habitat adaptation

A PhD position funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation is available (to be filled as soon  as  possible)  in  the  group  of  Prof.  Schiestl  at  the  Department  of  Systematic  and Evolutionary Botany, University of Zürich, for a period of four years. The position  is  to study the  ecological and  molecular bases of plant adaptation to  biotic and abiotic habitat parameters. In  the  project,  experimental  evolution  using  fast  cycling  Brassica  plants  will  be  used  to investigate  real-time  adaptation  to  these  habitat  parameters.  The  traits  modulating  adaptations  as  well  as  their molecular  bases  will  be  studied  using  selection  analysis, phenotyping, as well as molecular and bioinformatics tools. You should have a Master degree in any field of biology and a thorough interest in evolutionary biology.  Prior experience with plants and/or insects is an advantage. Proficiency in English both orally and written is a must.
The successful candidates  will work in an exciting research environment  focussing on patterns and process of plant evolution. Our department is  located in the botanical gardens and houses modern molecular and ecological labs, including greenhouses and climate chambers for plant cultivation. The University of Zürich has a very broad coverage of organismal and molecular biology, and several research groups work on evolutionary topics (www.lifescience-zurich.ch).
The city also offers excellent quality of life through cultural programs and infrastructure, as well as an attractive surrounding.  If you are interested in the job, please send  me by e-mail (florian.schiestl@systbot.uzh.ch)  a letter describing your motivation, C.V., copy of degrees, publications (manuscripts), and e-mail addresses of two academic referees, by  30st of  April
2018. If you have any further questions, don`t hesitate to contact me

PhD position - Functional genomics of sperm competition in zebra finches - Bielefeld University

PhD position in Evolutionary Ecology and FunctionalGenomics
One PhD position in evolutionary ecology and functional genomics is available at the Faculty of Biology at Bielefeld University in the EvolutionaryBiology group (with PD Dr Tim Schmoll, see http://www.uni-bielefeld.de/(en)/biologie/Evolutionsbiologiein collaboration with the Department of  Animal  Behaviour  (with  Dr  Peter  Korsten,  see  http://www.unibielefeld.de/biologie/animalbehaviour). The position is available immediately for 36 months and is 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 successful  candidate  will  closely  work  together  with  another  PhD  student  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; (ii) identify the underlyingmechanisms 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  (iv)  test  for  trade-offs  between investment in sexual competitiveness  versuspaternal care. A sub-project A will primarily focus on male  social  niche  conformance through  adjustment of behavioural traits and the  hormonal mechanisms underlying niche conformance. A sub-project B will primarily focus on male social niche conformance through adjustment of ejaculate traits and the gene expression underlying niche conformance. Note that the position offered here is exclusively for sub-project B.
The collaborative research centre:The position 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 inwhich zebra finch males are exposed to different levels of sperm competition
◦ Maintaining a zebra finch stock population and breeding of experimental birds
◦ Processing of tissue samples for transcriptomic analyses
◦ Bioinformatic processing of high-throughput sequencing data to quantify gene expression
◦ Assisting in setting up a computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) system
◦ Phenotyping sperm samples using CASA and other methods
◦ Assisting in taking behavioural recordings
◦ Statistical analyses of 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 a bright, highly motivated and creative student with
• a university degree in a relevant discipline with specializations in one or more of the following fields: bioinformatics, transcriptomics/genomics, animal behaviour, behavioural ecology, behavioural physiology, evolutionary ecology, and/or veterinary science,
• a keen interest in using molecular genetic methodsto answer behavioural and life history questions,
• experience with bioinformatic processing of high-throughput sequencing data or a keen interest in acquiring relevant skills,
• experience with statistical analysis (preferably using R), 

• ability to work both independently and as part of a team, and
• excellent oral and written communication skills inEnglish.
 

The following qualifications would additionally be of advantage:
• publications in peer-reviewed international journals,
• experience with sperm phenotyping including CASA
• experience with large-scale research projects.
 

Remuneration
Salary will be paid according to remuneration level13 (65%) of the Wage Agreement for Public Service in the Federal States (TV-L) which amounts to approximately 65% of € 3600.- = € 2350.- per  month  before  tax  and  in  addition  offers  various social  benefits.  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  position;  (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:  tim.schmoll@uni-bielefeld.de  andpeter.korsten@uni-bielefeld.de.
 

Review  of  applications  will  begin  May  3rd  2018  and  continue  until  the  position  is  filled.  

The  successful candidate should start as soon as possible after the decision. For further information on  the  project  and  the  departments,  please  contact  Tim  Schmoll  or  Peter  Korsten  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 welcomesapplications 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 fromsuitably qualified handicapped and severely handicapped persons are explicitly encouraged.

PhD

PhD studentship : A June start would be preferable but October is fine given that many of the interested parties are likely still studying. The link is below.

https://www.findaphd.com/search/ProjectDetails.aspx?PJID=97033

The study will explore the following:

1)            Why do owners choose indoor lifestyles for their cats and how do they provide for them?

2)            How do care provision, breed-type and past experience impact upon the behaviour and adaptability of cats in an indoor environment?

3)            How do morphological traits associated with breed (e.g. skull type) impact upon the behaviour and welfare of cats generally and indoor cats specifically?

Funding covers UK/EU, international students will require to top-up their fees.

offre de thèse urbanisation - communication - stress - mésanges

Sujet    de    thèse    :
Effets     de     l’urbanisation     sur     la     communication     acoustique,     le     stress  physiologique     et     le     succès    reproducteur    des    mésanges    bleues    et    charbonnières.    Implications    pour    la    biodiversité    avienne    en    ville.

Laboratoire    :
Institut    d'Ecologie    et    des    Sciences    de    l'environnement    de    Paris   
Equipe    Ecophysiologie    Evolutive
Sorbonne    Université,    Faculté    des    Sciences,
Case    courrier    237,
4    place    Jussieu,   
F-75005    Paris,    France
Encadrantes    :
Clotilde    BIARD    MC    S.U.    (clotilde.biard@sorbonne-universite.fr)    et    Clémentine    VIGNAL,    Prof.    S.U.   
HDR    (clementine.vignal@sorbonne-universite.fr)
Descriptif    du    sujet    :
Les    changements     globaux     actuels     induisent     des     variations     rapides     de     l’environnement   
auxquelles    les    individus    doivent    s’adapter    sur    une    échelle    de    temps    réduite.    En    particulier,    avec   
l’urbanisation    rapide    de    ces    dix    dernières    années,    la    ville    est    devenue    un    environnement    original   
avec     de     nouvelles     pressions     évolutives.     L’objectif     de     ce     projet     est     de     comprendre     les     effets   
directs    et    indirects    de    l’urbanisation    sur    les    individus,    puis    ses    conséquences    sur    les    populations.   
Ce    projet    se    focalise    sur    les    réponses    comportementales    et    physiologiques    à    l’urbanisation,    ainsi   
que    leurs    conséquences    en    terme    de    valeur    sélective    chez    les    oiseaux,    modèle    d’étude    privilégié   
car    différentes    espèces    sauvages    se    sont    installées    en    milieu    urbain.
Ce     projet     reposera     sur     une     approche     allant     de     la     physiologie     au     comportement,     et   
s’appuiera    sur    la     complémentarité     entre     une     approche     d’écologie     urbaine     utilisant     le     gradient   
environnemental    créé    par    l’urbanisation    (e.g.    pollutions,    température,    végétation,    fragmentation   
de     l’habitat)     et     une     approche     comparative     à     l’échelle     régionale     avec     une     population     rurale   
forestière.     Ce     projet     bénéficiera     des     suivis     biodémographiques     de     populations     de     mésanges   
bleue    (Cyanistes    caeruleus)    et    charbonnières    (Parus    major)    établies    depuis    2012    dans    les    parcs   
de    Paris    et    Rueil-Malmaison,    et    depuis    2010    en    forêt    domaniale    de    la    Commanderie    (77).
Les    questions    fondamentales    étudiées    au    cours    du    projet    doctoral    seront    :
1.  Impact     de     l’urbanisation     sur     la     communication     acoustique,     la     synchronisation     des   
activités    au    sein    du    couple    et    le    stress    physiologique
Chez     les     oiseaux     monogames,     mâle     et     femelle     synchronisent     leurs     activités     lors     de     la   
reproduction,    notamment    grâce    à    la    communication    acoustique,    qui    sera    ici    étudiée    grâce    à    des   
enregistreurs     automatiques     placés    dans     les     nichoirs.     Cette     approche     de     suivi     comportemental   
sera    associée    à    un    suivi    physiologique.    Le    milieu    urbain    est    susceptible    de    modifier    le    niveau    de   
stress     physiologique     (mesuré     grâce     à     différents     paramètres    :    stress     oxydatif,     stress     hydrique,   
télomères,    ratio     hétérophiles/lymphocytes),     la     réponse     fonctionnelle     de     l’axe     hypothalamushypophyse-surrénale    (mesurée    par    la    réponse    comportementale    au    stress    de    la    capture),    et    les   
conséquences     du     stress     (mesurées     par     la     capacité     à     développer     des     ornements   
sexuels=coloration     du     plumage).     Nous     explorerons     ainsi     les     corrélations     entre     urbanisation,   
stress    physiologique    et    communication/synchronisation    du    couple.
2.  Influence     de     la     communication     acoustique,     de     la     synchronisation     et     du     stress   
physiologique    sur    le    succès    de    reproduction    et    la    survie
La    qualité    de    l’incubation    et    du    nourrissage    des    poussins    ont    un    impact    essentiel    sur    le    succès    de   
reproduction.     Le     comportement     d’incubation     sera     suivi     grâce     à     des     enregistreurs     de   
température     placés     au     fond     des     nids     et    l’investissement     parental     de     nourrissage    grâce     à    des   
observations     comportementales     au     nichoir.     Les     communications     acoustiques     seront   
enregistrées    à    ces    deux    étapes.    Enfin,    le    succès    de    reproduction    sera    mesuré    avant    l’envol    par    le   
nombre    de    poussins    envolés,    et    leur    condition    physique    et    physiologique.    La    survie    des    adultes   
reproducteurs    ainsi    que    celle    de    leurs    poussins    sera    déterminée    grâce    à    des    modèles    de    Capture-Marquage-Recapture.
Profil    du/de    la    candidat•e    recherché•e    :
Le/la     candidat•e    recherché•e     devra     avoir     de     solides     connaissances     en     écologie     évolutive     et   
comportementales,     écophysiologie,     analyses     statistiques,     et     très     une     bonne     capacité   
rédactionnelle    (anglais    et    français).    Une    forte    motivation    pour    le    travail    de    terrain    et    les    analyses   
biologiques     au     laboratoire,     du     sérieux     et     de     la     rigueur     pour     la     conduite     de     protocoles   
expérimentaux     et     une     capacité     de     travail     autonome     seront     indispensables.     L'étudiant•e     devra   
contribuer     aux     activités     communes     du     laboratoire     et     être     mobile     entre     les    différents     sites     de   
terrain    du    projet    (le    permis    de    conduire    sera    indispensable).
Publications    en    lien    avec    la    thèse    :
Bleu,     J.,     S.     Agostini,     and     C.     Biard.     2017.     Nest     box     temperature     affects     clutch     size,     incubation   
initiation    and    nestling    health    in    great    tits.    Behavioral    Ecology    48:489-501.
Boucaud,          Aguirre     Smith,     Valère,     Vignal,     2016.     Incubating     females     signal     their     needs     during   
intra-pair     vocal     communication     at     the     nest:     a     feeding     experiment     in     great     tits.    Animal   
Behaviour.    122:    77-86.
Boucaud,    Perez,    Ramos,    Griffith,    Vignal,    2017.    Acoustic    communication    in    zebra    finches    signals   
when    mates    will    take    turns    with    parental    duties.    Behavioral    Ecology    28(3)    :    645-656.
Perez,     Mariette,     Cochard,     Soulage,     Griffith,     Vignal,     2016.    Corticosterone     triggers     high-pitched   
nestlings’     begging     calls     and     affects     parental     behavior     in     the     wild     zebra     finch.     Behavioral   
Ecology    27    (6):    1665-1675.
Senar,    J.    C.,    L.    Z.    Garamszegi,    V.    Tilgar,    C.    Biard,    G.    Moreno-Rueda,    P.    Salmón,    J.    M.    Rivas,    P.    Sprau,   
N.    J.    Dingemanse,    A.    Charmantier,    V.    Demeyrier,    H.    Navalpotro,    and    C.    Isaksson.    2017.    Urban   
Great     Tits     (Parus     major)     Show     Higher     Distress     Calling     and     Pecking     Rates     than     Rural     Birds   
across    Europe.    Frontiers    in    Ecology    and    Evolution    5.
Vaugoyeau,     M.,     S.     Meylan,     and     C.     Biard.     2017.     How     does     an     increase     in     minimum     daily   
temperatures     during     incubation     influence     reproduction     in     the     great     tit     (Parus     major)?     .   
Journal    of    Avian    Biology    48:714-725.

Modalités    de    candidature    :
Les    candidat•es    doivent    candidater    sur    la    plateforme    de    l’ED227    avant    le    21    mai    2018    :   
(http://enseignementsuperieur.mnhn.fr/fr/enseignement-superieur/doctorat/concoursed227).
 

Les    pièces    demandées    sont    :
-    CV
-    lettre    de    motivation
-    diplôme    ou    une    attestation    de    diplôme    (Master)
-    relevé    de    notes    avec    classement    pour    les    deux    semestres    de    master    1    et    master    2
 

En    complément    de    leur    dossier    de    candidature    en    ligne,    les    candidat•es    enverront    aux directrices    de    thèse    les    documents    suivants    :
-  Lettres    de    recommandation    ou    contacts    des    précédent•es    encadrant•es,    au    minimum    ceux    du    stage    de    M1    et    M2
-  Lettre    de    motivation    en    anglais
-  Mémoire    de    M2

Les    candidat•es    pré-sélectionné•es    seront    auditionné•es    devant    un    jury    composé    des    deux    directrices    de    thèse    et    de    spécialistes    du    domaine    de    recherche.    Les    auditions    se    dérouleront    la    semaine    du    18    juin    2018    sur    le    campus    Jussieu    ou    par    visioconférence.   

JOB POSTING Assistant or Associate Professor of Animal Welfare in Sustainable Production

Offre de stage Master 1

Study of the self and the other in social heterospecific cognition in horses:

study of the sensitivity of the horse to the body orientation and the faces of others when using visual signals

Horses appear to be sensitive human attentional states (Proops & Mc Comb, 2010) and able to read human bodily attentional signals including body and head orientation and subtle eye cues (Proops and McComb 2010, Krueger et al. 2011; Maros et al. 2008; Sankey et al. 2011).

Yet little is known how far horses are using these attentional cues to adapt their behavior. A recent study (Ringhofer M. & Yamamoto, S, 2017) suggest that horses alter their communicative behaviour towards humans in accordance with humans’ knowledge state suggesting that horses possess some cognitive basis for this ability of understanding others’ knowledge state in social communication with humans.

Moreover, how horses understand what humans see or not is yet unclear (the visual field of humans and horses are quite different).

In this study we aim at investigating how horses adapt their communicative behavior to the attentional state of humans.

The items will be:

·      Identify the communicative cues of the horses (body language, mimicking) for asking for food they cannot reach by themselves

·      Investigate if horses adapt their communicative behavior to human attentional state

·      How horses understand what humans see or not

·      Investigate the feasibility of using FNIRS spectroscopy to investigate brain activities and cognition in horses

The research will be conducted at the Université libre de Bruxelles, Faculty of Medecine with the collaboration of the Haras du Chaimont (1460 Ittre, Belgique).

 The duration of the study will fit with a master I research stage of 6-8 weeks. Start: ASAP.

 Contact: Claude TOMBERG: ctomberg@ulb.ac.be