PH.D. IN AVIAN PHYSIOLOGICAL ECOLOGY (beginning mid-Aug 2008) on an
NSF-funded project that focuses on how dietary fatty acids and
antioxidants affect diet choices, metabolism of fatty acids, and
exercise performance of songbirds. The work includes (a) measuring fatty
acid composition of diets and depot fat in migrating songbirds, (b)
conducting experiments with wild-caught songbirds that focus on how
dietary antioxidants influence diet choice and metabolism of fatty
acids, and (c) conducting experiments with flying birds in a windtunnel
that focus on how fatty acid composition and antioxidants affect
exercise performance of songbirds. Most field work will be conducted on
Block Island (ca. 15 km off the mainland), Rhode Island. Captive animal
facilities are on the University of Rhode Island's main campus in
Kingston. Windtunnel experiments with flying birds will be conducted at
the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology in Germany. The PhD candidate
will be resident at the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology in Germany
from Aug-Dec 2008 while conducting research, and then at University of
Rhode Island thereafter with other planned experiments in Germany during
2010. Only hard-working, motivated, intelligent, good-natured persons
interested in birds need apply. Applicants must have at least a 3.2 GPA
and must have taken the GRE. Field experience with passerine birds and
experience in physiological ecology is required. Experience with captive
birds and standard laboratory analysis techniques is a big plus.
Excellent writing and oral communication skills are required. Stipends
are approx. $20,000/yr (50% RA & TA for first two years, 100% RA
thereafter) and tuition is paid. To apply submit the following: a letter
stating your qualifications and research interests, resume or CV,
college transcripts, GRE scores, and 3 letters of reference by no later
than 10 May 2008 (early application is encouraged!) to DR. SCOTT R.
MCWILLIAMS, Dept. Natural Resources Science, University of Rhode Island,
Kingston, RI 02881 (401-874-7531; EM: srmcwilliams AT uri.edu). See the
following websites for further information about the research and
training program of the Department (URL: http://nrs.uri.edu/), of the
College of the Environment and Life Sciences (URL:
http://www.uri.edu/cels/), and of the University of Rhode Island (URL:
http://www.uri.edu/).