PhD & post-doctoral openings - Lynx population/landscape ecology and genetics

PhD/PDFs – Lynx population ecology, landscape genetics, and habitat
suitability modeling

As part of a recent Strategic NSERC grant with collaborators Dr. Paul
Wilson (Trent University), Dr. Jim Roth (University of Manitoba), and Dr.
Jeff Bowman (Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources), we are assessing the
factors affecting long-term viability of Canada lynx populations,
especially at their range margin. Using an extensive sample (thousands) of
lynx that were both genotyped and geo-referenced, we are developing species
distribution models including habitat suitability, range limit, and
corridor delineation analyses, to determine the current and predicted
future distribution of lynx. Parallel analyses for bobcats will elucidate
species differences and identify areas of potential sympatry and future
hybridization. These samples also will serve towards stable isotope
analyses of lynx, bobcats, coyotes, and prey, to help identify diet overlap
between carnivores, potential exploitative competition with lynx, and
proximate causes of lynx dispersal. We are also undertaking extensive and
unprecedented analysis of fur harvest records of carnivores across North
America to examine if evidence of cyclic asynchrony and decoupling,
dispersal barriers, and exploitative competition between species, can be
detected in the region of lynx distribution. Ultimately, the above projects
will feed directly into comprehensive harvest, distribution, and population
viability models for lynx that factor connectivity and dispersal, regional
threats such as hybridization and competition, and ongoing and projected
loss of habitat and climate change near the range periphery. This work is
the logical continuation of our previous efforts (Murray et al. 2008. J.
Wildl. Manage. 72:1463-1472; Roth et al. 2007. Ecology 88:2736-2743; Steury
and Murray 2004.Biol. Conserv. 117:127-141) to understand factors affecting
viability of southern lynx populations. Post-doctoral fellows will have the
opportunity to develop an independent research program within the framework
of existing funding.

Application Procedures

The specific parameters of the PhD and/or PDF positions will be adjusted
according to the strengths and interests of the successful applicants,
within the basic scope of the above-described project. Applicants should
hold degrees in population ecology, population genetics, landscape ecology,
or a related area. The successful candidates should have expertise in
population and/or landscape analysis and modeling, population/landscape
genetics, and/or statistical analysis, including previous work with GIS or
time series data. The successful applicants will require demonstrated
publishing success.

Candidates should submit a letter of application, curriculum vita, and
names and contact information for three references to: Dr. Dennis Murray,
Department of Biology, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive,
Peterborough, ON Canada K9J 7B8 (email: dennismurray “at” trentu.ca, web
page: http://www.dennismurray.ca). Applications will be reviewed
immediately and the positions will close as soon as suitable candidates are
found. PDFs will receive $45,000 annually, + benefits; PhD students will
receive a full graduate stipend plus waiver of any foreign tuition fees.

Field technicians needed

The Lab of Landscape Ecology and Conservation Biology at Northern
Arizona University is hiring Biological Field Technicians (12
positions available) for a research project on non-native plant
invasions, fire risk, and wildlife habitat in the Sonoran Desert. If
interested, see the announcement at:

https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=1GZRekYV8mIB9TAxZGDUAbr-vkv0h7OHsj6J48PW3XkM

Research Assistant - LuiKotale Bonobo Project

Hiring Organisation: Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology

Position Description: I am looking for a field assistant to assist with
data collection for my Ph.D. project on female mate choice and mating
strategies in bonobos (Pan paniscus) at LuiKotale - a long-term field site
near Salonga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This study
is part of an ongoing project and all collected data will be handed over
at the end of the appointment; therefore, this position is not suitable
for candidates looking to pursue individual projects. The research
assistant will be trained on site, and will learn to identify individual
bonobos in a habituated community of bonobos. The assistant will work
alongside an existing team of personnel, recording detailed behavioural
observations and collecting faecal and urine samples. Fieldwork includes
long-distance walking through very difficult terrain, and the assistant
should be prepared to work long days, sometimes from dawn to dusk,
in all weather conditions.

Information about the field site and research activities at LuiKotale is
available at http://www.eva.mpg.de/primat/files/bonobo.htm . This position
will provide the successful applicant with an excellent opportunity to
gain extended fieldwork experience with detailed behavioural research.

Qualifications/Experience: Essential requirements are: (1) field
experience; (2) above average physical fitness; (3) above average
resistance to social/psychological stress; and (4) the ability to live
in a very remote and basic camp, and work with an international team of
students, volunteers and local staff.

Candidates should have: (1) practical and technical skills required for
orientation and navigation in the forest (e.g. experience with GPS units
and compass reading); (2) strong social skills and patience; (3) high
degree of self-motivation and responsibility; (4) respect for local
customs. Candidates with field research experience in Africa,
behavioural research on primates, and basic knowledge of French will be
preferred.

Salary/funding: Salary/funding: 300 Euros/month

Support provided for field assistant (travel, meals, lodging):
- Food (a variety of local foods with some western food items)
- Lodging (in tents under thatched roofs) at the field site - Airfare
and airport tax for one domestic return flight from Kinshasa to the
field site
- Contribution of up to 800 Euros for an international return flight
(reimbursement ONLY AFTER SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION of a 9-MONTH term of
appointment)
- Expenses for visa (reimbursement ONLY AFTER SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION of a
9-MONTH term of appointment) * Please note that expenses during the
stay in Kinshasa on the way in/out of D.R. Congo cannot be covered by
the project.

Term of Appointment: 9 months starting in March 2011

Application Deadline: November 15, 2010

Comments: To apply, please send: (1) a letter of interest/motivation;
(2) your CV or resume detailing relevant experience; and (3) names and
e-mail addresses of two people who would be willing to provide references
to heidi_douglas@eva.mpg.de by the November 15th deadline.

Contact Information:
Pamela Heidi Douglas
Department of Primatology Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary
Anthropology
Deutscher Platz 6
04103 Leipzig
Germany
Telephone Number: ++49 (0) 341 3550 264
E-mail Address: heidi_douglas@eva.mpg.de

Heidi Douglas

Postdoctoral position in Tropical Ecology and Conservation

Short‐term opportunity with possibility for two year extension
Professorship of Ecosystem Management, ETH Zurich

The Professorship of Ecosystem Management, ETH Zurich, seeks a good
postdoctoral researcher to conduct research on tropical ecology and/or
conservation. The postdoctoral scientist would be free to develop
their own ideas in the context of work relevant to that conducted at
the Professorship of Ecosystem Management. Six months of funding is
available initially, during which time the postdoc would be expected
to develop a research proposal for an ETH Zurich Research Fellowship
(see www.vpf.ethz.ch/services/ETH_Fellows). Such a proposal would be
developed collaboratively with other members of the group, principally
Prof. Jaboury Ghazoul, Dr Lian Pin Koh and/or Dr Chris Kettle, and
should build upon and further develop one or more aspects of the existing
tropical research of the group: see www.ecology.ethz.ch/research/index
for more information on current research activities. As stated above,
there is considerable freedom for the postdoctoral candidate to develop
their own ideas within this context.

ETH Zurich Research Fellowships provide generous funding for
two years, including an excellent salary and funds for travel and
consumables. Fellowships are very prestigious, and evidence of research
excellence is essential. There are three main criteria that should be met:
1. Completed a PhD within the last 18 months.
2. Published at least three papers in good journals.
3. Applicants from ETH Zurich or the University of Zurich are NOT eligible.
See http://www.ecology.ethz.ch/ for more information on the Ecosystem
Management group at ETH Zurich.

Any interested candidate should send a full CV and cover letter,
including an outline of research ambitions and objectives, to Jaboury
Ghazoul at Jaboury.Ghazoul@env.ethz.ch. Applications must be received
by 30 November 2010. Expected start date is January 2011.


Kettle Chris

Evolution and Socio-Ecology of small Mammals in the Succulent Karoo of South Africa

Open positions from March 2011 onwards

Opportunity: This is a great opportunity for anybody who wants to get more
experience in field work relating to evolution, ecology and behavior before
starting an MsC or PhD project.

Project: We study the evolutionary and ecological reasons as well as
physiological mechanisms of group living, paternal care, communal nesting
and social flexibility in the striped mouse. As this species is diurnal and
the habitat is open, direct behavioral observations in the field are
possible.

What kind of people are needed? Biology/zoology/veterinary students are
preferred as candidates. Applicants must have an interest in working in the
field and with animals. Hard working conditions will await applicants, as
the study species gets up with sunrise (between 5 and 6 o` clock), and stops
its activity with dusk (19 o` clock). Work during nights might also be
necessary. Work in the field will be done for 5 days a week. Applicants must
be able to manage extreme temperatures (below 0 at night in winter,
sometimes over 40°C during summer days). Applicants must both be prepared to
live for long periods in the loneliness of the field and to be part of a
small social group.

Work of field assistants: Trapping, marking and radio-tracking of striped
mice; direct behavioral observations in the field. Volunteers are also
expected to help with maintenance of the research station (water pump, solar
power, etc.)

Confirmation letter: Students get a letter of confirmation about their work
and can prepare a report of their own small project to get credit points
from their university for their bachelor or masters studies.

Costs: Students have to arrange their transport to the field site
themselves. Per month, an amount of Rand 1000 (around 110 Euro) must be paid
for accommodation at the research station. For students with their own
undergraduate project, a fee of Rand 1250 (approx. 135 Euro) per month
applies. Students must buy their own food etc in Springbok (costs of about R
2250 or 250 Euro/month). Including extras, you should expect costs of about
400 Euros per month. Students get an invitation letter which they can use to
apply for funding in their home country (eg. DAAD in Germany, SANW in
Switzerland).

Place: The field site is in the Goegap Nature Reserve near Springbok in the
North-West of South Africa. The vegetation consists of Succulent Karoo,
which has been recognized as one of 25 hotspots of biodiversity. It is a
desert to semi-desert with rain mainly in winter (June to September).

When and how long: At the moment we are looking for volunteers for the
period March / April to June and from July / August to November / December.
Volunteers are expected to stay at least 2 months, but longer periods of up
to 6months are preferred.

How to apply? Send a short motivation letter stating why and for which
period you are interested and your CV via email to
carsten.schradin@ieu.uzh.ch.



More information under www.stripedmouse.com

Contact via e-mail: carsten.schradin@ieu.uzh.ch



Dr. Carsten Schradin
Research Assistant, Department of Animal Behavior,
University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
Tel: +41 - (0)44 635 5486 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting +41 - (0)44 635 5486 end_of_the_skype_highlighting



Honorary Researcher at the School of Animal, Plant and Environmental
Sciences,
University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.






Working as a field assistant in Goegap Nature Reserve



A report by Romy Höppli, student at the University of Zurich, who staid in
Goegap June to August 2008




Blue skies without a single cloud for six weeks rocky mountains with
little vegetation yellow, orange and pink fields of flowers in whatever
direction you look small mammals, lizards and birds in our front yard and
Mountain Zebras, Springbok and Ostrich right next door...

This was my time at the Succulent Karoo Research Station in Goegap Nature
Reserve in South Africa! During six weeks from the beginning of July until
the middle of August I've been living here, studying mice, experiencing
nature like never before and being part of a small community where there was
always something to laugh and joke about!

After arriving in Goegap, right the next morning my scientific adventure in
South Africa began: Setting and checking traps, nest observations and
radio-tracking were our daily routine. While I got bitten by the mice quite
often in the beginning and my right middle finger was scarred all over, I
improved quickly shaking the mice out of the traps, weighing them and
checking the number of the ear tag. Other duties like cleaning the cages of
the mice in the captive colony, washing the dirt from probably several
months out of the traps, painting the new Wendy House and putting in a floor
and curtains quickly added to our daily field work activities.

It was never boring in Goegap! There was always something to do: studying
the striped mouse, listening to the interesting and funny stories every
member could tell or just enjoying the time while reading a book or writing
e-mails to friends to tell them about this unique experience. Here, the
weekly trip back to 'civilization' in Springbok for shopping, sending
e-mails and having lunch at "Nando's" - the best (Portuguese) fast food I
ever tasted - was always a highlight and the occasional trip to "Beaver's",
the towns funniest pub, where all the locals went to, was a good opportunity
to dance, make party and enjoy the relaxed South African way of life!

My six weeks down here were full of great experiences and I enjoyed every
single day! Hopefully, I will be able to come back to Goegap Nature Reserve
one day!



Carsten Schradin