Project title : Grouping together during hot weather? A study of the collective behaviour of aggregation in sheep. This call is supported by the #Digitag consortium within the scope of French National Research Agency under the Investments for the Future Program, referred as ANR-16-CONV-0004.. In grazing livestock farming systems, sheep express a unique collective behaviour of aggregation linked with environmental heat. During the expression of this behaviour, which can last several hours in the event of prolonged heat, individuals no longer ingest. The collective dynamics associated with the expression of this behaviour, their links with environmental temperature and the individual or collective fitness associated with the expression of this behaviour are poorly determined. However, this behaviour well known by shepherds can be a hindrance to the herd's performance and as well as an issue for the management of animal welfare. The global evolution of climate and the multiplication of heat waves in the Mediterranean area accentuate the need to study this behaviour in order to understand it and propose ways of managing the grazing environment. During this project, using digital tools, we will focus on the characterisation of (i) the collective dynamics of grouping (using embedded radio transmitters and ultra wideband sensors) and (ii) the environmental conditions within these animal groups (using sensors for temperature and if possible gas content such as CO2 and O2), in relation to the local climatic conditions (temperature, humidity and solar radiation sensors). This monitoring will be carried out in different groups of ewes (2 to 15 individuals) at the Domaine du Merle (Institut Agro Montpellier, Salon-de-Provence). This monitoring will be completed by behavioural data, in particular the monitoring of the level of welfare or thermic stress. Key-words: Collective behaviour, aggregation, heat stress, animal welfare, embedded sensors Field site: Domaine du Merle, 13300 Salon de Provence, South of France Period of work : May-October 2023 Salary: the candidate will receive a grant of around 614 €/month. Travel and stay expenses in the field will be paid by the project. Candidates will have to assume their living expenses. We encourage students to find additional support from their university, or from other institutions. Qualification and Skills of candidates: A person with background in ethology / animal behavior (level of master is preferred) wishing to learn about the digital monitoring of animal behaviour both in terms of tools and methods or, conversely, a person with an electronics/computer science/data analyst background wishing to apply their skills to the field of animal behaviour. The candidate will have to work in a farm station, to follow a formation with sheepherders to manage sheep in the barn and in the field. The candidate will be also in charge of the care of sheep involved in the experiments, which requires strong commitment during the whole week including week-ends and close collaboration with the staff of the field station. The candidate will thus be involved in physical activities linked to the management of adult sheep, will work in the field under relatively hot Mediterranean climate and at dawn and possibly sunset. The work in the field will be done in close collaboration with another student and possibly professionals during short stay field periods. Thus, the job requires capacities to work in a team. While French speaking is not mandatory, it will be an advantage in the field station. People interested will have to contact Jean-Baptiste MENASSOL (jean-baptiste.menassol@supagro.fr; https://umr-selmet.cirad.fr/en/l-unite/pages-agents/jean-baptiste-menassol) and Richard BON (richard.bon@univ-tlse3.fr; https://cbi-toulouse.fr/eng/page-personnelle-30)