Field assistants for trapping and measuring small mammals in the Swiss Alps (Switzerland) ~ Bioblogia.net

20 de marzo de 2014

Field assistants for trapping and measuring small mammals in the Swiss Alps (Switzerland)

FIELD ASSISTANTS for trapping and measuring small mammals in the Swiss Alps
for a project on Evolutionary Dynamics of host-parasite interactions

The Tschirren Lab (http://www.ieu.uzh.ch/research/evolbiol/immuno.html) at
the Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University
of Zurich, Switzerland seeks highly motivated field assistants and master
students for field research in the Swiss Alps (The Canton of Grisons) in
summer 2014. Under the supervision of Prof. Tschirren, a post-doc and a PhD
student are developing a project to study the dynamics of host-parasite
interactions in the Borrelia, ticks and rodents system along altitudinal
gradients. Particularly, we study patterns of parasite-mediated selection
acting on candidate immune genes for parasite resistance, patterns of
isolation-by-ecology as well as adaptation to altitude in ticks and the
distribution and abundance of Borrelia along altitudinal gradients.

Our research sites are located in Swiss Alps in the Canton of Grisons. The
field work will be organized in 4 sessions of 3 consecutive weeks from
middle June to end of September 2014. The team (four people) will live in a
chalet and work together on the field.  The field work includes setting up
and monitoring of live traps, measuring small mammals, sampling ear
biopsies and detecting the frequency of ticks (transects). Fieldwork takes
place in a beautiful but mountainous terrain and may be physically
demanding; field assistants must be able to hike up while carrying traps. A
good sense of humor and a positive attitude are necessities!

A current driver's license is preferable but not required. The assistant
should be vaccinated against tetanus and TBE, and speak English. Speaking
German in addition would be advantageous. Transport within Switzerland and
accommodation are provided.

Review of the applications will begin immediately and continue until the
positions are filled. To apply, please send (1) a statement of relevant
experience and motivation, (2) a very short CV and (3) for which month you
apply to Dr. Mélissa Lemoine (melissa.lemoine@gmail.com).


Mélissa Lemoine, PhD

Institute for Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies
University of Zurich
Winterthurerstrasse 190
CH-8057 Zurich

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