Oportunidad para hacer un máster (con buen sueldo) en Islandia en fisiología y comportamiento de peces

(Oferta compartida por Laura Moreno)

MSc position on fish physiology and behaviour  

Hólar University (HU), Iceland, seeks a MS student for an Icelandic Research Fund (RANNIS) project to  study the “physiological mechanisms underlying personality in the Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus)”.  

Context of the study:  

Animal personality refers to behavioral tendencies that affect behavior in different contexts, vary across  individuals in a given population, and are consistent within individuals across time. There are five personality  axes commonly defined in the literature i.e., Boldness/Shyness (response to potentially risky situations),  Exploration/Avoidance (response to novel situations), Activity and aggressiveness and sociability in  numerous vertebrates, including teleosts. The coping style framework divides a population into proactive and  reactive individuals, e.g., in fish species, boldness is usually associated with a proactive strategy, whereas  shyness is associated with a reactive strategy. Arctic charr personality has not yet been extensively studied but  our lab has started to investigate this topic both in the context of adaptive divergence and speciation and in  the context of aquaculture. There are still gaps in our understanding of how and why differences in personality  arise, their adaptive significance and the consistency of traits across development as well as the underlying  mechanisms. Metabolic rate has been shown to be underlying personality traits i.e. Proactive coping style has  been associated with a more costly strategy, whereas the reactive type is characterized by an energy conserving strategy.  

Student project:  

This student will be involved in one part of a pluridisciplinary project aiming at investigating the development  of different personality axes and underlying mechanisms in an aquaculture strain of Arctic charr. The  metabolic rate will be measured twice i.e., early and later stages of development. Standard metabolic rate  (SMR) will be measured using static intermittent flow respirometer chambers from Loligo® Systems. The  metabolic rate will be linked to personality traits (measured by a PhD student) and growth performance.  

The project is led by Dr. David Benhaïm (lead PI, HU). The student will have assistance in conducting the  experiments and in analysing the results.  

Location: The student will be based at the Dept. of Aquaculture and Fish Biology (DAFB:  https://www.holaraquatic.is) at Hólar Univ. (North Iceland). HU is situated in the village of Hólar  (Skagafjördur), with offices and research laboratories. DAFB is an active research centre and the student will  become part of a dynamic international team of graduate students and faculty.  

Requirements: The candidates must hold a BS degree in Physiology, Ethology, or related disciplines. The  ideal candidate has a strong interest in fish biology, enjoy working in a dynamic group, and have mainly  experience from laboratory experiments. The student has to be able to work independently as well as a part of  a team. The position is funded for one year ( ~330 000 ISK per month : ~ ). Or this can be half salary for two  years.  

The working language is English. Peer-reviewed publication(s), previous experience with animal experiments  (fish in particular), statistical skills (GLMM) is a plus. A valid driving license is a requirement.  

Applicants should send an application letter, with a statement of research interests and relevant experience  (max 2 pages), curriculum vitae with a list of publications, copies of academic qualifications and the names  and e-mail addresses of two referees, as a single pdf to benhaim@holar.is latest November 1, 2023. Preferred  starting date is January 2024.  

For further information contact David Benhaïm (DAFB, HU), (benhaim@holar.is).

Read More

Postdoc investigando sistemas parasitarios de cría en peces

Oferta compartida por Nuria

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH POSITION 2-3.5 YEARS

TOPIC: Fish Evolutionary Ecology
Reichard Lab (www.reichardlab.eu), Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno

Full-time postdoctoral position for 2 years (+ extension until the end of 2025 possible) is available at the Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, located in Brno, Czech Republic. Position may start when filled; all applications submitted until 20 June 2022 will be fully considered. Selected candidates will be interviewed online.

This position is within a generous funding of Expro project of Czech Science Foundation to Martin Reichard on reproductive parasitism in fish. It uses two understudied fish brood parasitic systems: bitterling fishes (Acheilognathidae) and their mussel hosts, and cuckoo catfish (Synodontis multipunctatus) and their cichlid hosts from Lake Tanganyika.

The project aims at identifying the conditions for the origin and evolution of host specificity in brood parasites. Field and lab studies are combined with barcoding, population genetics and phylogenetics.

Selected candidate will work along with two other postdoctoral researchers. There is flexibility in the specific focus within the broad terms of the project, although we would particularly welcome a candidate with expertise in:

1. fish morphology (dentition, gill rakers, osteology) or
2. comparative phylogenetic biology.

We expect applications from candidates with a background in ecology and evolution, ideally with a previous track record of working with fish models. For experimental work, there is access to well-equipped fish breeding facility and outdoor system of separate tanks.

All research expenses, including fieldwork and conference travel, are covered from the project.

QUALIFICATIONS
PhD in Biology

SALARY
at least 55 000 CZK (incl. social and health insurance and taxes), c. 2200 EUR per month (well above average for Czech living expenses), giving a net earnings of 35 000 CZK per month. May increase with
qualification.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
For formal applications, please submit a CV with explanations of your previous work and motivation to apply for this position in your Cover Letter (1 page is sufficient).
Email your formal application to reichard@ivb.cz

Feel free to consult through informal enquires by email to reichard@ivb.cz

Read More

Prácticas remuneradas y aptas para una estancia Erasmus+ en Islandia

Oferta compartida por Nuria

The Department of Aquaculture and Fish Biology, Hólar University, Iceland, is looking for an intern student (from bachelor to masters, or even DUT/BTS, ...) for a project about brain gene expression related to cognitive abilities in the Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus). 

Hosting structure : Department of Aquaculture & fish Biology, Hólar University - Iceland & University of Iceland, Reykjavík - Iceland

Dates : 4 to 6 months from June 2022, very flexible and discussable

Gratification : 80 000 ISK per month (around 530€/month)

Context of the study:
Comparative studies might give an insight on how cognition has evolved across taxa. The evolution of spatial cognition is of a particular interest because all animals depend on navigational skills to find food or mates, retrieve the nest and escape predators. Hence, spatial cognitive abilities have an impact on individuals’ fitness and are consequently subject to natural selection. In that sense, spatial cognitive abilities in each population should be locally adapted to its particular ecological conditions. The Icelandic Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus, AC) is found as several sympatric morphs thriving in very different types of habitats, from anadromous to benthic and pelagic lake-resident morphs. We hypothesize cognitive abilities and behavior to be shaped according to both evolutionary history and current ecological factors, implying differential expression patterns of genes linked with spatial cognition and neurogenesis between populations. The project is led by Pr. David Benhaïm (lead PI, Hólar Univ.) in collaboration across Hólar Univ. (Pr. Bjarni K. Kristjánsson, Dr. Camille Leblanc), University of Caen, France (Dr. Christelle Jozet), IFREMER, France (Dr. Marie-Laure Bégout), INRA, France (Dr. Xavier Cousin) and University of Iceland (Pr. Zophonías Jónsson).

Student project:
The student will specifically identify molecular clues underpinning behavioral and cognitive ability differences between populations, morphs and environments. This will be done by monitoring genes expression patterns in several brain structures of offspring from three wild AC morphs raised under complex vs. plain conditions, that underwent personality and spatial learning tests. To do so, the student will
perform:

• RNA extractions from several brain regions
• Reverse transcription
• qPCR with specially developed PCR primers for a set of genes involved in neurogenesis, neural plasticity and stress regulation
• DNA extraction, PCR & gel electrophoreses to genetically sex the test individuals.
• If interested, the student will also analyze and interpret the data obtained.

This work will be carried out in Reykjavík at the University of Iceland. The student will be working in close collaboration with a PhD student, Marion Dellinger.

Requirements:
The candidates must be enrolled in a degree in the fields of biotechnology or genetics, or relevant equivalent fields. Meticulousness, experience in laboratory manipulation and a solid sense of organization are required. The ideal candidate has a strong interest in pluridisciplinary research with an emphasis on neurosciences and is willing to improve lab bench skills. S/he enjoys working in a dynamic group but should be able to work independently as well. Statistical skills will be a plus. Working language will be English.

Organizational details:
Iceland is eligible for Erasmus+ grants.

Application:
Applicants should send an application letter, with a statement of research interests and relevant experience and curriculum vitae as a single pdf to both Pr. David Benhaïm (benhaim@holar.is) and Marion Dellinger (marion@holar.is). Requests for further information can be sent at the same email addresses.

Read More

¿Estás buscando un proyecto para irte de prácticas con Erasmus+? Echa un vistazo a éste en Islandia

Oferta compartida por Nuria

We are looking for a motivated undergraduate student to perform an internship in behavioral ecology, more specifically on preferences and personality traits in wild Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) !

Hosting structure : Department of Aquaculture & fish Biology, Hólar University - Iceland

Dates : from September 2021 to January 2022, but discussable

Context of the study:
The Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus, AC) is one of the only 7 species of fish in Icelandic freshwaters, which makes it emblematic to this country and a preservation priority. It occupies extremely variable ecological niches and shows a extended adaptive polymorphism. Indeed, the AC is found as several sympatric morphs thriving in very different types of habitats, from anadromous to benthic and pelagic lake-resident morphs, and ranging along an evolutionary gradient of divergence. Such a diversity in their way of life and evolutionary history is hypothesized to engender differences in behavior, especially preferences and personality traits, which in each morph should be locally adapted to its particular ecological conditions. The project is lead by Prof. David Benhaïm (lead PI, Hólar Univ., Iceland) in collaboration across Hólar Univ. (Prof. Bjarni K. Kristjánsson, Dr Camille Leblanc), University of Caen, France (Dr. Christelle Jozet), IFREMER, France (Dr. Marie-Laure Bégout, Dr. Benjamin Geffroy), INRA, France (Dr. Xavier Cousin) and University of Iceland (Prof. Zophonias Jónsson).

Student project:
The student will specifically be involved in identifying behavioral differences between morphs and environments. For that, the student will be monitoring boldness personality trait as well as preferences for 4 different ecologically-relevant stimuli (shelter, congeners, mirror and darkness vs. light), in offspring of wild-caught AC morphs raised under complex vs. plain conditions. To do so, the student will be working in close collaboration with a PhD student to record AC individuals in behavioral arenas, and then highlight behavioral differences using an automated behavioral tracking software s/he will be introduced to.

Requirements:
The candidates must be enrolled in a degree in the fields of ethology, evolutionary or behavioral ecology, or relevant equivalent fields. The ideal candidate has a strong interest in pluridisciplinary research with an emphasis on behavior. S/he enjoys working in a dynamic group but should be able to work independently as well. Statistical skills will be a plus. A valid driving license is a requirement.

Organizational details:
Working language is English. The student will be provided with a discount on accommodation as a lab member, and commuting between the lab and the accommodation place will be at the lab's charge. The student will also have free access to the University gym. Aside, Iceland is eligible for Erasmus+ grants.

Application:
Applicants should send an application letter, with a statement of research interests and relevant experience and curriculum vitae as a single pdf to both benhaim@holar.is and marion@holar.is. For further information contact Marion Dellinger (Dept. of Aquaculture and Fish Biology, Hólar University, marion@holar.is).

Read More