Se busca estudiante de doctorado para investigar cantos de ballenas jorobadas

We are seeking to recruit a PhD student for the following project:

The relationship between song characteristics and reproductive success in humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae): does song fulfill an intersexual function?

Male humpback whales sing a long and complex vocal display. Thousands
of males can rapidly and synchronously change their population-specific
song to a new version in as little as two months, a feat which is
unparalleled in any other animal except humans. Despite our advances in
understanding the cultural aspects of song, the underlying function(s)
of humpback whale song are still debated. Using acoustic and genetic
data, this PhD project seeks to understand the relationship between
song characteristics and reproductive success to assess the
contribution of inter-sexual drivers on the function of humpback whale
song.

The student will be based at the University of St Andrews under the
supervision of Dr Ellen Garland, and co-supervised by Dr Luke Rendell
(St Andrews), and Dr Emma Carroll (St Andrews), in collaboration with
Dr Claire Garrigue (IRD UMR ENTROPIE), and Assoc. Prof. Mike Noad
(University of Queensland). Candidates should have a strong background
in behavioural ecology or evolutionary biology. Knowledge or experience
in bioacoustics or laboratory genetic analysis is essential, and
experience of both desirable. Given the broad nature of the project and
the expectation that the candidate will undertake both the acoustic
analysis and genotyping of samples, training in molecular or acoustic
techniques will be tailored to the candidate?s experience. The student
will be expected to participate in annual fieldwork lasting two to
three months in semi-remote locations. Previous field experience
involving small boats, marine mammals, and remote locations would be
advantageous. The candidate should have strong communication (oral and
written) and interpersonal skills given the collaborative nature of the
project and extended fieldwork. The ability to speak French would also
be desirable (but not essential).

General requirements include a background in evolutionary and
behavioural biology, and a BSc (Hons) or MSc degree (first class) in a
relevant discipline. This 3.5-year School of Biology studentship
(stipend and fees) will be provided at UK/EU citizen rates.

International students may apply but will be responsible for the
difference in fees; a fee waiver scholarship may be available for
outstanding candidates. Enquiries from Chinese nationals are
particularly welcomed as the University of St Andrews has additional
funding opportunities for Chinese students.

For more information see: https://www.findaphd.com/
search/ProjectDetails.aspx?
PJID�&LID 43 or https://synergy.st-andrews.ac.

uk/research/phd-study/phd-study-projects/phd-study-cbd-projects/.

Applications close on 3 December 2017.

Please send any enquiries to Dr Ellen Garland
at ecg5@st-andrews.ac.uk with the
subject line: PhD studentship - paternity.

Kind regards,
Ellen

Ellen C. Garland, Ph.D.
University Research Fellow
Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU)
Centre for Social Learning & Cognitive Evolution (SLaCE)
Centre for Biological Diversity (CBD)
Postal Address:
Sir Harold Mitchell Building
School of Biology
University of St. Andrews
St. Andrews, Fife, KY16 9TH, UK
Ph: +44 (0)7478-649964
Email: ecg5@st-andrews.ac.uk
SLaCE: https://synergy.st-andrews.ac.uk/solace/
Twitter: @_SMRU_

The University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland: No
SC013532