lundi 21 janvier 2019

Fully funded 4-year PhD position on the eco-evo-devo of social personalities

We are looking for a talented and enthusiastic evolutionary or behavioural  ecologist  for  a  fully  funded  4-year  PhD  position.
The  successful  applicant  will  work  on  a  multidisciplinary project  aimed  at  understanding  the  emergence  of  social personalities,  using an integrative approach which considers the  interplay  of  ecology,  evolution,  and  development.  To  this end, the PhD candidate will work with researchers from three different  groups:  Dr.  Marion  Nicolaus  (Animal  Ecology),  Prof. Franjo Weissing (Theoretical  Biology) and Prof. Ton Groothuis (Animal  Behaviour),  which  are  all  embedded  within  the Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES).
Description
In  most  animals,  individuals  differ  systematically  in  social  competences  and  behaviour.  The existence  of  such  ‘social  personalities’  is  intriguing  both  from  an  eco-evolutionary  perspective
(when  does  the  local  environment  select  for  diversification  in  social  behaviour?)  and  from  a mechanistic  perspective  (how  do  personality  differences  emerge  in  individual  development?).
Using  an  integrative  eco-evo-devo  framework,  the  successful  applicant  will  address  three questions:  How  do  the  ecological  conditions  at  different  life  stages  lead  to  the  development of social  personalities  (eco-devo)?  How  does  the  interplay  of  environment-dependent  selection  and developmental  mechanisms  affect  the  stability  of  social  personalities  (evo-devo)?  What  are  the eco-evolutionary consequences of mechanisms like social niche choice or social niche construction (eco-evo)?  These  questions  will  be  addressed  by  studies  on  three-spined  sticklebacks (Gasterosteus  aculeatus),  both  in the  field  and  in  a semi-natural  environment (replicate  series of ponds connected by corridors allowing dispersal and habitat choice). The empirical research will be complemented by theoretical modelling to derive testable predictions and to provide a framework for interpreting the empirical results.
The PhD candidate will receive varied and cutting-edge research training, with ample opportunities for  following  advanced  courses,  workshops  and  conferences,  complemented  by  training  in transferable skills and teaching. The successful applicant is committed to conduct independent and original  scientific  research,  to  report  on  this  research  in  international  publications  and presentations,  and  to  present  the  results  of  the  research  in  a  PhD  dissertation,  to  be completed within  4  years.  PhD  candidates  are  expected  to  contribute  10%  of  their  overall  workload  to teaching.
Qualifications
The  ideal  candidate  is  highly  motivated,  hardworking,  ambitious,  creative,  and  has  affinity  with empirical  behavioural  ecology  research  and  with  theoretical  modelling.  The  successful  candidate will have the following required qualifications:
  an  MSc degree with specialization in biology  (ecology, evolution and/or animal behaviour) or related disciplines;
  the ability to work independently and in a team;
  excellent command of the English language;
  excellent communication and presentation skills, both in word and in writing.
Preferentially,  the  successful  candidate  has  some  experience  with  modelling  and  knowledge  of  a programming language (R, C++).
Conditions of employment
The  University  of  Groningen  offers  a  salary  of  €  2,266  gross  per  month  in  the  first  year  to  a maximum of € 2,897 gross per month in the final year (salary scale Dutch Universities), based on a fulltime position (1.0 fte) excluding a 8% holiday allowance and a  8.3% end of the year bonus.
The position offered is for four years. For more details click on this link.
The preferred starting date is 15 April 2019

Application
Application  for  this  position  is  open  until  15  March  2019.  To  apply,  please  fill  in  the  online application form (click on the Apply button below the advertisement on the university website).
Applications for the position should include (as a single PDF file):
  a  cover  letter  explaining  the  educational  background  of  the  candidate  and  the  motivation to apply for this position;
  a  detailed  description  of  previous  research  experience,  such  as  obtained  in bachelor/master research projects (1-2 pages);
  a comprehensive curriculum vitae, providing details on bachelor and master degrees, work experience, and a publication list (if applicable);
  academic transcripts;
  contact  details  of  two  or  (preferably)  three  academic  references  who  can  provide information on the candidate’s suitability for the position.
Interviews are scheduled to take place in end March 2019 in Groningen.
Information
For information you can contact:
  Dr. Marion Nicolaus: nicolaus.marion@gmail.com
  Prof. F.J. Weissing: f.j.weissing@rug.nl