The Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior at its sites in Konstanz and Radolfzell offers an international, interdisciplinary, and collaborative environment that opens up unique research opportunities. The goal of our basic research is to develop a quantitative and predictive understanding of the decisions and movements of animals in their natural environment.
For the Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior we are looking to fill the following position starting earliest in May 2021. The workplace will be primarily in Konstanz.
PhD student (m/f/d)
in tropical forest ecology and conservation biology
The Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies aims at a collaborative approach to scientific exploration. The multi-disciplinary team works together to develop new ways of measuring, analyzing and interpreting the behavior of socially complex animal species in ecologically and evolutionarily relevant field settings. For more information, see https://www.ab.mpg.de/crofoot.
Project:
The project will investigate the mammalian community with specific focus on all primate species, across four forest blocks. Each of these experiences direct and indirect protection generated by long-term field research and specific conservation efforts. Protection measures were implemented by the LuiKotale Bonobo Project (LKBP) at different times between 2002 and 2020. We hypothesize that protection of wild bonobos in the buffer zone of Salonga National Park (SNP) can be enhanced by linking conservation efforts with subsistence hunting. This approach advocates that traditional habits of village communities can be aligned with conservation efforts such as wildlife monitoring and anti-poaching patrols. The expected outcome of this dual approach is a novel strategy for cost-efficient protection of wildlife from commercial bush-meat hunting, enhanced management of the buffer zone of SNP, and substantial expansion of forests that enjoy elevated protection.
Land-use change presents major threats to biodiversity with impacts that typically outpace those from climate change. Although the full impacts of habitat loss and fragmentation are often cryptic or delayed, they can reduce the potential for species to adapt to future environmental change and increase extinction risk. Developing successful strategies to manage and mitigate the consequences of land-use change on biodiversity is thus a pressing need at regional, national, and international levels.
The successful applicant will conduct field work in the buffer zone of SNP at sites that have been involved in similar studies in the past. There is a well-documented land-use history, a high level of biodiversity, extensive amount of existing data, and sufficient research infrastructure. The successful applicant will
· inventory the mammalian fauna using distance sampling (line transect / camera trap methods);
· assess human impact on protecting wild bonobos and other endangered species;
· integrate ecological and social parameters using georeferenced data and satellite imagery;
· develop data based recommendations for long-term conservation strategies.
Overall aim is to increase our understanding of the past and present co-existence of wildlife and human populations practicing a traditional life style, in order to develop a trajectory for the future. The data collected will allow assessing sustainability of human forest use, and revealing responses of bonobos and other mammalian species to different hunting pressures. The results may serve as model to enhance conservation and management strategies increasing the potential of the buffer zone of Salonga National Park.
Your tasks and your profile:
The successful applicant will collect data on the abundance and distribution of primates and other wildlife using line transect surveys (LTS) for distance sampling and calibrated camera trap recording (CTR). Candidates will be supported by local field assistants. LTS data will be directly collected whereas information obtained by CTR will be extracted posthoc by screening video footage (e.g. Buckland et al. 2001, Rowcliffe et al. 2014). Field data will be collected for 2 periods (each approximately 6 months) in the 1st and 2nd year. Video screening and analytical work will be conducted at the MPI-AB, Konstanz.
The ideal candidate is highly motivated and enthusiastic about tropical ecology, has tropical field experience, and has a strong conceptual background in the principles of ecology and conservation. Living and working conditions in the field are physically and mentally challenging. Candidates should carefully judge their capacity and determination to be exposed to a life in a very isolated place, a hostile climate, conducting a physically demanding work on a day-to-day basis. The forest is often dense and swampy; working hours can be very long; and research staff is exposed to severe weather and tropical diseases. Candidates must be (a) physically fit; (b) resistant to psychological stress; (c) self-motivated, and (d) tolerant of different social customs and beliefs. Good social skills and the willingness to work as part of a team are essential. Please note that the LKBP running the field site adheres strictly to gender equality and will not tolerate any form of sexual harassment. Experience with R, and GIS is highly advantageous. A solid level of proficiency in French is an essential requirement.
Our offer:
The positions will start earliest in May 2021, limited for 3 years. We offer an interesting job in an open-minded team, a responsible and varied workplace in a growing interdisciplinary and international research institute. The payment is made in accordance with your experience and qualification and the collective agreement for the public service (TVöD-Bund).
Questions about this position will be answered by the HR-Department (hr@ab.mpg.de).
The Max Planck Society endeavors to employ more severely disabled people. Applications of severely disabled persons are expressly welcome. The Max Planck Society strives for gender and diversity equality. We welcome applications from all backgrounds.
Are you interested? Then we are looking forward to receiving your application until March 31, 2021 with 1) a motivation letter, describing yourself, your research interests, your motivation of why a PhD and your suitability for the position, 2) your up-to-date CV, 3) a short description of prior education with particular relevance to this project, 4) a copy of the master degree or equivalent including course marks /grades and a copy of the MSc-thesis or equivalent, 5) contact information of at least three people who can provide a reference that is relevant for the prospective work and 6) peer-reviewed publications if available. The application should be written in English.