Dos jugosos contratos (4000 EUR/mes) para hacer el doctorado en Suiza y el trópico con ranas venenosas

Two PhD positions in Behavioural Ecology

Institute of Ecology and Evolution (IEE), Division of Behavioural Ecology
Start of employment: negotiable (ideally October/November 2024). The starting salary is 47,040 CHF and includes social security contributions.

Two fully funded, 4-year PhD positions are available in the Division Behavioural Ecology (https://www.behav.iee.unibe.ch/) led by Prof. Eva Ringler at the University of Bern, Switzerland. The positions are part of the research project “Facilitators and constraints of behavioural flexibility” financed by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF). In this project, we will investigate flexibility from a behavioural, hormonal, and neuronal perspective.
While the ecological and evolutionary significance of behavioural plasticity is well recognized, we still know little about the physiological processes that facilitate flexibly switching between several, potentially conflicting behaviours – such as aggression and parental care. In this project, we will investigate how cognitive, hormonal, and neuronal mechanisms act together in flexibly balancing contrasting behavioural decisions. We hypothesise that trade-offs between aggressive and parental behaviours also manifest on a physiological level, and that short-term changes in steroid release and/or sensitivity may provide animals with a mechanism for adapting their behavioural responses to rapidly changing contexts.

Tasks
The PhD students will be responsible for conducting experiments with our model species, the poison frog Allobates femoralis, in the field and in the lab, management and analysis of the data, and publication of results. Candidates are expected to actively participate in our weekly lab meetings and attend 1-2 scientific conferences per year. The specific focus of the PhD theses will be negotiated depending on the candidate’s interests and/or skills. The candidates must be willing and capable to spend up to 2 months each year in a tropical research station under very simple living conditions.

Requirements
Candidates must be highly motivated, creative, and able to work independently and collaboratively. We welcome applications from diverse scientific backgrounds (e.g. ecology, behaviour, cognition, endocrinology, neurobiology), but a strong background in evolutionary biology is a plus. In their motivation letter, applicants should clearly state their motivation for developing a PhD project about behavioural flexibility in poison frogs. They should also mention their previous experience in working in tropical environments, (poison) frogs, endocrinology, neurobiology, molecular biology, spatial ecology, animal cognition, and/or bioacoustics. Candidates must have good written and spoken communication skills in English, which is the working language of our institute. A Master degree in a related field is required. We are committed to increasing diversity, equity and inclusiveness in ecology and evolution and especially encourage applications from underrepresented groups.

We offer
The Division of Behavioural Ecology is a dynamic, highly international, and interdisciplinary research team. We study the evolutionary mechanisms that shape animal behaviour in ecologically relevant contexts. Specific research topics include parental decision-making, cooperative breeding, animal communication, cognition, animal personality, and life history strategies. As supporters of the Better Science Initiative (https://betterscience.ch/en/), our lab philosophy includes open and compassionate communication, regular individual meetings and evaluation of mentoring and career development needs, and prioritization of the well-being of all lab members. Our group is part of the Institute of Ecology and Evolution (IEE) at the University of Bern (https://www.iee.unibe.ch/). Beside diverse seminars and lectures at the University of Bern, PhD students have access to additional courses via the Swiss CUSO doctoral programme in Ecology and Evolution (https://biologie.cuso.ch/ecology-evolution). Through these structures, PhD students have ample opportunities for interactions and collaborations across research fields with a vibrant international community of graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and professors. The University of Bern is situated near the heart of the beautiful old city, and the quality of life in Bern is very high, with the Swiss alps in close vicinity. The Division of Behavioural Ecology is based at the Ethological Research Station Hasli, which is located slightly outside the city of Bern within the beautiful Bremgarten forest.

Please apply with the following documents:

– Letter of motivation
– CV
– Master certificate or transcripts (if already available)
– Names of two contact persons (recommendation letters will not be needed at this stage)
– One example of scientific writing (MSc thesis, seminar article, journal article)

Please send your application as a single PDF named “application_firstname.lastname” until 30th July 2024 to eva.ringler[at]unibe.ch.

More information: https://tinyurl.com/yzk9kpcw and https://www.behav.iee.unibe.ch/ 🐸 🔬 🧬 🧠 🧪

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Postdoc molón de genómica de ranas punta de flecha en la Guyana Francesa

Oferta compartida por Nuria

Postdoctoral position in Cayenne – French Guiana (30 months): Dissection of the genetic basis underlying the radiation of warning signals in poison dart frogs

Start date: December 1st, 2022

I am looking to hire a postdoctoral researcher (PDR) to investigate the genetic basis underlying the impressive diversity of vivid color pattern in the Peruvian Ranitomeya poison dart frogs as part of the funded project RANAPOSA. The identification of these genomic regions will enable to test original hypothesis regarding the evolution of mimicry convergence between unrelated species and better understand how warning colorations can diversify so extensively and yet be maintained at very small spatial scale. This study investigates three Müllerian mimetic species, Ranitomeya variabilis, R. imitator and R. fantastica and genetic samples available includes Mendelian crosses, wild individuals from multiple populations with distinct warning colorations, and both genome and transcriptomes are already available.

Supervision: 

The PDR will be based in Cayenne (French Guiana at the Laboratoire Ecologie, Evolution, Interaction des Systèmes Amazonien (LEEISA https://www.leeisa.cnrs.fr/) and will be advised by Mathieu CHOUTEAU from the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS). In addition, the PDR will interact with other members of the Ranitomeya consortium: Kyle Summers (East Carolina University), Adam Stuckert (University of Houston) and Rasmus Nielson (UC Berkeley).

Requirement:
Strong expertise in advanced genomic: Association mapping, genome scans, detection of introgression and genomic rearrangements, the use of capture baits, short- and long-reads sequencing, good knowledge of demographic inferences tools, linux system, statistics with R.
Good understanding of molecular laboratory techniques: optimization of DNA extractions, genomic libraries and sequencing design.
Solid organizational and computational skills: curation of the genetic samples, DNA extractions and associated genomic data, handling of genomic datasets generated using different sequencing technologies.
Interest for ecology and evolution: especially in the processes leading to adaptive radiation, including niche specialization, reproductive isolation and population dynamic.
Scientific independence: Excellent analytical and writing skills, good relational abilities and capacity to innovate, interest in developing its own research.

Broader context: 

French Guiana is an overseas department of France located between Brazil and Surinam. Working in Cayenne provides a privilege access to the living laboratory that is the Amazon but also to an inexhaustible number of outdoor activities. A large international community of ecologists and evolutionary biologists are involved in research projects in French Guiana, and many Research institutes interested by the Amazonian biodiversity are locally present (CNRS, CIRAD, INRAE, IRD, Institut Pasteur, Université de Guyane) providing a stimulating research environment and a unique opportunity to build their academic network. The host institution (LEEISA) is young, dynamics, and working conditions and everyday life are pleasant.

Salary: Wage will follow rules from the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), and will depend notably on experience. French salaries include social benefits such as health insurance.

Application process: Applicants should apply using the CNRS job portal at the following address:
https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/CDD/UAR3456-MARLEC-005/Default.aspx?lang=EN
before November 9th, 2022

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Oferta de doctorado evolutivo en USA y las Galápagos

PhD Student in Disease Ecology and Evolution

The Knutie lab in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Connecticut is recruiting highly-motivated applicants interested in pursuing a PhD in disease ecology and evolution. The PhD student will be expected to develop a novel research project in animal disease ecology and/or evolution using one of the PI’s host systems (birds or frogs) in the Galapagos Islands, Connecticut, Florida, or Minnesota. For more information about current research in the lab, please see: http://www.knutielab.com

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply but preference will be given to applicants with a Master’s degree in Ecology and Evolution or a related field, at least one first-authored publication, and/or extensive experience with lab and field-based research. Although academic scores are important for admission to the program, I also value motivation and passion for science and nature. Applicants from a minority background (e.g. ethnic, racial, gender, LGBTQ+, first generation) are encouraged to apply.

The application process requires submission of the formal graduate school application pages, transcripts, GRE scores, three letters of reference, a personal essay, and, for non-native speakers of English, TOEFL or IELTS scores. If admitted to the program, full financial support (TA and/or RA) is generally provided for five years. More information for prospective EEB Graduate students: http://eeb.uconn.edu/information-for-prospective-eeb-graduate-students/

For full consideration, applications must be submitted by December 15, 2017. However, applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Dr. Sarah Knutie (sarah.knutie@uconn.edu) before applying to the program to discuss research interests and your application.

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Post-doctoral position - University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM).

A position as Post-doctoral Research Associate is available in the lab
of Gerlinde Hoebel to study the evolution of multi-modal communication
in frogs, with special focus on acoustic, visual, and water surface
wave signals. The postdoctoral scientist will collaborate on
establishing methods/equipment for studying visual and surfave wave
modalities, and lead a team of undergraduate students to perform
behavioral experiments at UWM and the UWM Field Station. The ideal
candidate will have field experience with frogs, and experience
conducting behavioral experiments, in particular with acoustic, visual
or surface wave recording and playback techniques.

This is a full-time position with support for one year, and
possibility for extension pending proposal success. UWM is an Equal
Opportunity /Afirmative Action Employer.

Screening of candidates will begin September 1, 2011, and continue
until the position is filled. Appointment can begin as soon as the
position is filled.

To apply, please send the following documents by email to Gerlinde
Hoebel (hoebel@uwm.edu):
(1) CV
(2) statement of research interests/experience, incl. how previous
experience relates to the position description
(3) name and contact information of three references.

For further information about UWM, the Dept. of Biological Sciences,
and the Anuran Behavioral Ecology Lab, please visit:
https://pantherfile.uwm.edu/hoebel/www/
http://www4.uwm.edu/letsci/biologicalsciences/
http://www4.uwm.edu/

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Volunteer field assistants needed for poison frog behavioral research in Panama

VOLUNTEER FIELD ASSISTANTS (1-2 positions available) needed for June 15, 2011 to July 15, 2011 (dates somewhat flexible) to assist in a study on the behavior of the strawberry poison-dart frog, Dendrobates pumilio. Work will be conducted at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute facilities in Bocas del Toro, Panama.

Though no prior field experience is required, applicants should be comfortable with spending long hours outdoors in warm, humid climates. Work will include capturing frogs for body measurements,recording behaviors and calls in the field, ecological surveys, and behavioral experiments. Assistants are expected to work 5 days a week with 2 days off, and are encouraged to pursue independent projects during their days off. I will cover housing and $200 for food, but no salary will be available.

If interested, please send a resume/CV and contact information for three references to Laura Crothers (email: crothers@mail.utexas.edu).

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