T he University of Antwerp is seeking to fill the following vacancies (m/f) at the DepartmentBiology-Ethology of the Faculty of Sciences:

2 PhD students in Behavioural and Evolutionary Ecology

Job description:

Although birdsong is a classic example of a sexually selected trait, individual song traits have often been studied in isolation and/or during a limited period during life. In our project we will adopt an integrative approach to study the causes and consequences of song behaviour in a great tit population in which males are being studied throughout life. Observational data and field experiments will be used to examine the fitness consequences of individual variation in all aspects of song (while simultaneously also considering other sexual traits). Particular attention can/will be paid on:

·         the links between song traits, personality and cognitive skills;

·         the role of song in intersexual communication, including movement behaviour during the dawn chorus (telemetry…)

·         the effects of pollution (for instance light pollution..) on song expression

·         the physiological basis of variation in song expression

A partly similar research program will be developed for blue tits (wild) and European Starlings (captivity).

Profile and requirements:

We are looking for enthusiastic persons interested in behavioural and evolutionary ecology, with good organizational skills, able to work independently as well as in a team, who would like to take this opportunity to combine field with experimental work in a well-equipped research group. Candidates should have a MSc in Biology or a related field.

Desirable: Fieldwork experience, and experience with birds or animals; bird ringing experience; full driving license; good knowledge of theory and research methods in behavioural, evolutionary ecology.

We offer :

• The possibility to join a dynamic and expanding group of researchers working on all 4 major aspects of animal behaviour (causation, development, function and evolution) and to learn many new techniques

• Freedom in developing your own research interests

• An initial 1-year contract, extendable for up to 4 years following a positive evaluation

• The positions should yield a Ph.D. degree of the University of Antwerp

• The positions will be filled as soon as possible

Interested?

Please send all application material including 1) your curriculum vitae 2) a brief (250 words) summary of your reasons for applying and 3) a letter of reference as single PDF-file as soon as possible to marcel.eens@ua.ac.be .

Further information can be obtained from: Marcel Eens, marcel.eens@ua.ac.be,phone +32 32652284, see also http://www.ua.ac.be/marcel.eens