Position: fully funded PhD in behavioural ecology
University: University of Western Australia
Study site: southern Kalahari desert, South Africa
Supervisors:
Assoc Prof Amanda Ridley UWA (www.babbler-research.com)
Dr Ben Ashton, Macquarie University (https://whitinglab.com/people/lab-manager-and-postdoc/)
Prof Alex Thornton, University of Exeter (https://biosciences.exeter.ac.uk/staff/profile/index.php?web_id=Alex_Thornton)
We are looking for a suitably qualified candidate to take up a PhD position at the University of Western Australia. The candidate will specifically be investigating the impact of heat stress on cognition in a wild bird, the southern pied babbler (Turdoides bicolor),in the Kalahari desert. The study population has been part of an established long-term research project for the last 18 years, with significant background information gained on the behavioural ecology of this species. The candidate will investigate the impact of environmental versus social conditions during the developmental stage on the ontogeny of cognition. In addition, the candidate will conduct experiments to determine how cognition impacts behavioural responses, such as responses to predator threat, in later life. The candidate will need to conduct experiments in the wild, in a remote location, and is expected to spend 3-6 months in the field each year. The candidate will preferably have had some fieldwork experience, and be willing to work in a remote location for an extended period. The study site is part of a research station where several other research projects on meerkats, hornbills, mole-rats and drongos are run, and so the candidate will be part of a larger field research community. Bird banding experience is preferred, but not necessary.
Requirements:
- A first or upper second class Hons or Masters degree in biology, preferably behavioural ecology but this is not essential, with a thesis component completed.
- Some fieldwork experience, specifically experience working with animals
- A full driver’s license, with some 4 x 4 driving experience preferred.
How to apply
To be accepted into the Doctor of Philosophy at UWA, the applicant must have a First Class Honours or high Second Class Honours or Masters degree, demonstrate they have sufficient background experience in independent supervised research, and provide evidence of English proficiency (https://uwa.edu.au/study/how-to-apply/english-language-requirements/postgrad-research-english-language-requirements). Deadline for applications: 14th March 2022
Interested applicants can contact Mandy on the following email: Amanda.ridley@uwa.edu.au.