mercredi 20 novembre 2024

Research Assistant

 The Behavioral Services Unit at the Oregon National Primate Research Center is seeking a Research Assistant to collect behavioral data on groups of captive rhesus macaques for a study on social connectedness and health. Some positive reinforcement training will also be involved. This is a full-time position with funding for 1-2 years. Prior experience with non-human primates preferred but not required.



Contact Dr. Kris Coleman (colemank@ohsu.edu) with any questions.

offre de stage

 NOTRE AMBITION
A l’interface entre la recherche fondamentale et le terrain, l’Itavi apporte aux professionnels des filières
avicole, cunicole et piscicole des expertises et des outils pour anticiper et s’adapter aux évolutions
structurelles.
Itavi oriente ses activités techniques en vue de répondre aux objectifs suivants :
o Evaluer et promouvoir les innovations technologiques ;
o Maîtriser la qualité des produits ;
o Apporter des références et réaliser des expertises ;
o Explorer de nouveaux systèmes de production ;
o Anticiper les évolutions structurelles.
Pour mener à bien nos missions, ce ne sont pas moins de 30 experts à l’écoute des problématiques
rencontrés par les professionnels de l’élevage intervenant sur 9 thématiques :
 Economie
 Alimentation et Techniques d’élevage
 Bâtiment et Energie
 Bien-être animal
 Santé Hygiène
 Environnement
 Qualité des produits
 Elevage de précision
 Durabilité
TRANSMETTRE NOS SAVOIRS
Vous préparez un diplôme agri/agro ou un master (bac + 5), voir un niveau inférieur et vous avez envie
de découvrir un univers scientifique passionnant, riche en challenges et en opportunités ? Nous vous
offrons l’opportunité de réaliser votre stage à l’Itavi en vue d’accompagner nos experts dans leur
mission et de vous enrichir d’une expérience au plus près de l’innovation scientifique.
Evaluation du bien-être des poissons : Validation des indicateurs et de
l’applicabilité d’un outil dédié aux fermes truiticoles
Contact
Merci d’adresser un CV et une lettre de motivation à :
Joanna Litt, Responsable thématique bien-être animal – Contact : 06 46 15 72 38, litt@itavi.asso.fr,
Aurélien Tocqueville, Responsable du service pisciculture – Contact : 06 07 03 51 91,
tocqueville@itavi.asso.fr,
Domaine : pisciculture, bien-être animal, évaluation multicritère
Contexte et objectif du projet dans lequel s’inscrit le stage
La prise en compte et l’amélioration du bien-être animal sont devenues centrales ces dernières années
pour les filières de production animale, y compris les poissons d’élevage. Conscients de cet enjeu, l’ITAVI
et la filière piscicole se sont engagés dans une démarche de progrès visant à améliorer les conditions de
vie des animaux en fournissant aux pisciculteurs un outil scientifiquement validé pour objectiver le bien-
être des truites en élevage. C’est dans cette optique qu’a été développée une première version de l’outil
EBENE®, constituant une première avancée significative pour l’amélioration des pratiques d’élevage
dans cette filière.
Cet outil, développé par ailleurs pour les volailles de chair, les poules pondeuses, les palmipèdes gras et
les lapins, repose sur cadre générique structuré et couvrant l’ensemble des principes et critères de bien-
être animal. Il permet à un observateur formé d’évaluer de façon rapide, simple et instantanée le bien-
être des truites directement en élevage, en collectant un ensemble d’indicateurs sanitaires et
comportementaux.
En vue de finaliser l’outil et de le déployer sur le terrain, une dernière étape reste à conduire visant à
s’assurer de la bonne applicabilité de la méthode en conditions terrain réelles et à vérifier certaines
qualités des indicateurs sur un échantillon de fermes. C’est le travail que nous proposons de réaliser dans
le cadre de ce stage.
Objectif du stage et missions :
Le stage proposé vise :
1. à s’assurer de la bonne applicabilité de la méthode en conditions terrain réelles
2. à vérifier certaines qualités des indicateurs sur un échantillon de fermes, telles que leur fiabilité
(importance de l’écart entre des mesures réalisées par deux observateurs réalisant une même
évaluation ou entre deux évaluations successives réalisées par un même observateur), leur
sensibilité (capacité à détecter des écarts signifiants entre systèmes de production), et leur
redondance (relations d’interdépendance entre indicateurs)
3. à proposer le cas échéant des améliorations à l’outil.
Il s’inscrit dans un objectif plus large de progrès et d’accompagnement au changement dans la filière
piscicole.
Pour ce faire, le ou la stagiaire aura pour missions :
- de constituer avec l’aide de ses encadrants un échantillon d’élevages à suivre et de planifier les
visites à réaliser en contactant les éleveurs et en préparant les équipements nécessaires en
amont des visites. Certaines visites nécessiteront l’appui d’un second observateur avec qui il
faudra se coordonner.
- de collecter, saisir et enregistrer les données recueillies lors des visites en suivant
scrupuleusement le protocole pré-défini.
- d’analyser les données en vue d’évaluer les qualités des différents indicateurs
- de proposer des ajustements à réaliser en fonction des résultats obtenus.
Une restitution des résultats auprès d’un public plus large composé des partenaires et d’acteurs du
projet sera organisée en fin de stage. Ce travail contribuera à finaliser l’outil et à préparer son
déploiement opérationnel sur le terrain.
Profil :
 Formation : Bac+5 agro/agri ou Master*
*Le stage pourrait être ouvert à un niveau d’études inférieur très motivé (ex BTS Aquacole) ou réduit à
une période plus courte (minimum 4 mois) selon profil. Le cas échéant une délégation d’une partie de
l’analyse de données vers du personnel interne ou externe à l’ITAVI serait envisagée.
 Compétences : Capacités relationnelles et sens de l’observation, rigueur, organisation et
autonomie. Facilité de travail en équipe. Goût pour le milieu piscicole et le bien-être animal –
une expérience ou de bonnes connaissances en pisciculture et en particulier en élevage de
truites est un plus. Goût pour les déplacements fréquents.
 Autre : le stage implique des déplacements nécessitant d’être véhiculé (frais pris en charge)
Conditions proposées :
Stage de 6 mois* sur le premier semestre 2025, co-encadré par le service Bien-être animal et le
service Pisciculture de l’ITAVI
Poste basé préférentiellement dans les locaux de l’ITAVI à Haut-Mauco, sur le site de l’Agrocampus
(40280)
Indemnités prises en charge :
 Gratification : 659,76 €/mois (conforme à la réglementation) + 50€ d’indemnité de double
résidence (si éloignement > 50 km)
 Forfait repas journalier : 5,2 €/repas
 Ordinateur portable fourni
 Frais de transport domicile/travail selon réglementation en vigueur
 Frais de déplacements remboursés selon les barèmes de l’ITAVI
 1 journée de télétravail autorisé par semaine.
Vous souhaitez en savoir plus sur les activités de l’Itavi ? Retrouvez-nous sur www.itavi.asso.fr

Itavi, expert des filières avicole, cunicole et piscicole

offre de stage

 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 the French National
Research Agency under the Investments for the Future Program, referred to 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 devices, video recordings and direct visual
observations) and (ii) the local climatic conditions (temperature, humidity and solar radiation
sensors). This monitoring will be carried out in different groups of ewes (2 to 10 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 physiological
parameters responsive to heat 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 : February/March to August/September 2025
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 the capacity 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
Richard BON
richard.bon@univ-tlse3.fr
https://cbi-toulouse.fr/eng/page-personnelle-30

Stanford University - Job Posting

 

Stanford University is seeking a Veterinarian 1 to administer appropriate veterinary care to all animals in the Stanford research colonies, and make critical health care decisions in a wide variety of situations. This veterinarian will support the research program of a laboratory aimed at the creation and deployment of a highly novel, large-scale neural interface for direct communication with the brain.

The position has three main functions:


  • Provide veterinary oversight of the lab’s animals, leading an enrichment and behavioral training program, and research management.
  • Provide veterinary guidance and care where/when needed for a range of large and small animal species and work collaboratively with Stanford’s Animal Care Unit.
  • Ensure compliance with all federal, state, institutional protocols, and voluntary animal welfare laws and regulations, help to develop standard operating procedures for veterinary care and study implementation, help research staff design and implement in vivo studies, train and oversee lab members on animal training, veterinary care, surgical procedures, lab SOPs, and animal use laws and regulations.

Duties include:

Perform veterinary care physical exams, diagnostic work-ups, medical treatment, surgical and non-surgical research procedures, and/or euthanasia, for all species found in the research colony populations.

Ensure accuracy of research and clinical records in compliance with state and federal regulations.

Provide expert care in the areas of preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative care of research animals.

Develop and manage IACUC protocols with the PI. Assist with preparing and submitting the lab’s animal use procedures for the Administrative Panel on Laboratory Animal Care review and coordinate the monitoring the lab’s approved research projects with the Administrative Panel on Laboratory Animal Care.

Provide assessments of animals prior to intrastate, interstate, and international shipments, including physical examination, review of colony history, and pertinent diagnostic tests.
Supervise other workers, as assigned.
Manage direct reports in the laboratory and oversee all vivarium operations
Serve as a liaison between the lab and the Veterinary Service Center (VSC) to facilitate research activities and ensure animal welfare
Ensure proper anesthesia and pain management for all procedures and postoperative care
Complete pre-op exams, post-op care, and administer controlled substances
Manage surgical sterile preparation, surgical inventory and OR operations
Provide medical and behavioral health monitoring of lab’s animals and oversight of housing
Provide on-call services as assigned
Administer clinical treatments as directed
Ensure compliance with all federal, state, institutional protocols, and voluntary animal welfare laws and regulations
Maintain accurate documentation and medical records in accordance with lab requirements, institutional requirements, and regulatory bodies
Develop and review SOPs to reflect current and best practices and verify training in lab staff.
Develop and manage the lab’s animal training program to achieve voluntary data collection using positive reinforcement

Develop, manage and help implement the lab’s enrichment program

Assist in the design and implementation of in vivo studies
Complete reports as required for research studies

May perform tasks associated with other teams including, but not limited to, animal care or surgery under supervision of someone trained in those areas

* - Other duties may also be assigned

The expected pay range for this position is $160,953 to $197,563 per annum.

Interested applicants please apply directly at: Veterinarian 1 - Stanford University Careers

Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards) provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources at stanfordelr@stanford.edu. For all other inquiries, please submit a contact form.

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.



PhD

 

PhD Opportunity, fully funded by the NERC GW4+ Doctoral Training Partnership
From cognition to conservation: using cognitive and behavioural research to enhance red-billed chough reintroductions.
Entry Ref: 5400
September 2025 start
Supervisors
Alex Thornton, University of Exeter, Centre for Ecology and Conservation
Rachel Miller, University of Cambridge, Department of Psychology
Malcolm Nicoll, Institute of Zoology
Elizabeth Corry, Wildwood Trust
Malcolm Burgess, University of Exeter, Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour
We are looking for a highly motivated, talented student with broad interests in animal behaviour, cognition and conservation. The project will be based at the University of Exeter’s Penryn Campus in beautiful Cornwall. 
Full details of the project and how to apply are here: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/funding/award/?id=5400
If you have any questions about the project, please write to alex.thornton@exeter.ac.uk
 
Project summary:
As cognition shapes animals’ responses to changing environments, cognitive research is increasingly recognised as a key component of conservation. This PhD project aims to use behavioural and cognitive principles to enhance reintroduction attempts of Britain’s most endangered corvid, the red-billed chough, Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax.   
Working with an interdisciplinary supervisory team of cognitive biologists and conservationists (including Paradise Park and CASE partners Wildwood Trust, coordinators of the chough reintroduction scheme in Kent), the project will incorporate controlled experiments, behavioural observations and population monitoring on up to 80 captive and released choughs in Kent and Cornwall.  
Specific research directions are flexible, but broadly, we aim to (1) quantify individual variation in cognitive abilities likely to impact adaptability and survival (e.g. self-control, innovation, social learning, exploration) and (2) relate this to fitness-relevant measures like body condition, stress responses and reproductive success in captivity and the wild. We will then (3) use findings to (a) establish real-world consequences of cognitive performance on behaviour, survival and reproductive success post-release (b) inform release decisions, (c) develop targeted pre-release training and d) expand release protocols. Each objective will be co-developed with the student, with extensive opportunities for you to shape project development according to your interests and the accumulating evidence.

PhD available in the impact of the UK gamebird industry

 

Project Description
Summary
This project will merge social and natural science methods to explore and analyse current antimicrobial use in the UK gamebird industry and its impact on antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Case award E4 DTP
Pheasant hens sharing feeder with wild birds

Project background
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is recognized as a critical threat to One Health. Our understanding of antimicrobial use in UK released gamebird species, and the consequences of this, remains limited. The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) estimates around 30-35 million pheasants and 10-12 million red-legged partridges are released annually for shooting in the UK. The ecological consequences of this practice are currently being discussed in relation to possible licencing and limits on releasing.   

Preliminary studies indicate that resistance to β-Lactams and multi-drug resistant members of the Campylobacter genus are prevalent among UK gamebirds. Pheasants and partridges are raised in rearing facilities where they are sometimes provided with antimicrobials through their food or water, which could contribute to the development of resistance. As gamebirds are released into the wild, there is a risk of transmitting resistant bacteria into the broader ecosystem. Also, anecdotal evidence indicates that gamebirds are sometimes given food supplemented with anti-microbials on shooting estates. This practice can attract other wild species that may come into contact with contaminated bird faeces.  

This project will lead to an understanding of antimicrobial use and the prevalence of AMR in the gamebird industry. This will allow the development of strategies to mitigate the industry’s impact on AMR in released gamebirds and potentially on the wider ecosystem. Using an interdisciplinary approach, we aim to explore the factors driving antimicrobial use, assess its biological impact on birds, and identify effective methods for communicating these findings to industry stakeholders. This will enable stakeholders to make more informed decisions and reduce the potential for AMR development. 
Research questions
  • What is the current rational for antimicrobial use in gamebirds and what factors determine specific drug use?
  • To what extent is the gamebird industry aware of antimicrobial resistance resulting from prophylactic antimicrobial use?
  • How prevalent is AMR in the microbiota of released UK gamebirds?
  • How do different antimicrobial practices affect resistance levels in the gamebird microbiota?
  • What is the most effective method for communicating the impact of antimicrobial use to stakeholders in the gamebird industry?
Methodology
This interdisciplinary project will be conducted in collaboration with The GWCT. In the first year of the studentship, a survey will be conducted to characterise the use of antimicrobials in pheasants and partridges in both rearing facilities and shooting estates. This survey will include a knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) component which will allow the student to explore the drivers for different forms of antimicrobial usage. The entire survey and specifically the KAP questions will be designed in close collaboration with The GWCT to ensure questions are appropriately worded to generate meaningful data without participants feeling interrogated regarding their practices. This survey will quantify current husbandry techniques, AMR knowledge and prevention practices amongst industry stakeholders, and the motivations behind stakeholder interest in AMR avoidance measures. 

Based on the results from the survey, the student will design an appropriate sampling protocol for partridges and pheasants during both rearing and release on a sub-sample of the shoots that have been surveyed. Prevalence of AMR genes during rearing, in release pens, after release and during shooting will be assessed. Samples will be taken from birds that have either been submitted for veterinary post-mortem examination or from birds shot during the shooting season. Faecal and caecal pellet samples will also be taken from live birds. Microbial DNA will be extracted from gastrointestinal and respiratory samples, and qPCR will be used to determine the abundance of antimicrobial resistance genes. A subset of samples will undergo metagenomic sequencing, and antimicrobial resistance genes and other virulence genes will be identified. The presence and abundance of AMR and antimicrobial residues will be correlated with the previously surveyed antimicrobial usage practises.   

A co-creation workshop with survey respondents will be arranged to firstly share findings of the research and to explore effective methods for communicating such findings to game industry stakeholders more widely i.e., shooting estates, game rearing facility owners, vets, young game keepers etc. The student will analyse qualitative transcripts from this workshop and create a pilot draft of AMR communication materials. These pilot materials will be pre-tested with a sub-set of workshop and survey participants and reviewed by The GWCT stakeholders. Final feedback will allow the student to generate recommendations for future AMR communications in this sector     

Year 1: Literature review and knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) survey of antimicrobial usage in the gamebird industry, understanding of issue, what drives usage practices, and of other relevant husbandry practices. Initiation of AMR prevalence survey.   
Year 2: Continuation of prevalence survey. Engagement activity (ie: focus group/workshop) to feedback and discuss KAP survey findings. Characterisation of antimicrobial resistance profiles from gut and respiratory samples (metagenomics and qPCR).  
Year 3: Continue bioinformatic analysis of metagenomic data. Feedback current results in co-creation workshop. Develop and pre-test pilot materials for feeding back scientific findings to game industry stakeholders. Produce final recommendations for communication on AMR within the gamebird sector. 
Training
A comprehensive training programme will be provided comprising both specialist scientific training and generic transferable and professional skills. This is a highly interdisciplinary project, enabling the student to acquire skills in both social and natural sciences. Natural science skills will include qPCR, metagenomics, and bioinformatic analysis. Social science skills will include survey design, workshop/focus group design and facilitation, and the analysis and synthesis of qualitative data. The student will also acquire a variety of transferable skills, including data management; effective communication with experts and non-experts in the field; and scientific writing. 
Requirements
Evidence of critical thinking, the ability to carry out high-quality research, and the ability to understand the wider outcomes of research. The successful candidate will have an interest in AMR and its management. As this is an inter-disciplinary project, we do not expect students to have previous experience of all of the disciplines involved.
References
Aebischer, N.J. "Fifty-year trends in hunting bags of birds and mammals and calibrated estimation of national bag size using GWCT’s National Gamebag Census".  European Journal of Wildlife Research, 65 (2019).
Arnold, K.E. et al. "‘Disperse abroad in the land’: the role of wildlife in the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance." Biology Letters, 12 (2016).
Bain, C. et al. "β‐Lactam resistance genes present in UK pheasants and red‐legged partridges." Veterinary Record 192.5 (2023)
Madden, J.R. "How many gamebirds are released in the UK each year?" European Journal of Wildlife Research, 67, (2021).
Sage R.B. et al. "Summary review and synthesis: effects on habitats and wildlife of the release and management of pheasants and red-legged partridges on UK lowland shoots." Wildlife Biology, 2020 (2020).
Seguino, A. et al. "Campylobacter spp. carriage in wild game pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) in Scotland and its relevance to public health." Game meat hygiene. Wageningen Academic, 2017: 83-99.
CASE partner: Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust - The GWCT
Supervisors
Laura Glendinning RDSVS - The Roslin Institute Laura.Glendinning@roslin.ed.ac.uk www.ed.ac.uk/profile/laura-glendinning
Jess Mitchell GAAFS jmitch2@ed.ac.uk
Rufus Sage Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust rsage@gwct.org.uk scholar.google.com/citations?user=VwvTTCMAAAAJ&hl=en
E4 supervisors are happy to hear from candidates who would wish to adapt the project to their own ideas and research background.
CASE studentship
This is a CASE project which benefits from the association of an external non-academic partner to provide additional expertise, access to data, labs and facilities (in some cases), a placement and enhanced research costs. CASE studentships are a great opportunity to apply research in real-world settings (e.g. industry, businesses, charities) and to open up to non-academic careers. See more information on CASE Studentships on our "How to apply" webpages.