Max-Planck-Institute for Ornithology, Germany, PhD Position in Evolutionary and Physiological Ecology

February 10, 2008

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Max-Planck-Institute for Ornithology, Germany

We offer: PhD Position in Evolutionary and Physiological Ecology

Job description:
We are looking for a PhD student (m/f) in evolutionary and physiological
ecology. The PhD position is part of the project /Evolutionary
consequences of an urbanizing world/ funded by the
Volkswagen-Foundation within the research initiative /Evolutionary
Biology/ (http://www.volkswagenstiftung.de/index.php?id=3&L=1
<http://www.volkswagenstiftung.de/index.php?id=3&L=1>). In this project
we study the urbanization of animals and its ecological and evolutionary
consequences. The human impact in the global biosphere now controls many
major facets of ecosystem function. One of the most striking man-made
environmental changes is the existence and rapidly ongoing spread of
urban areas. Human ecological impact has enormous evolutionary
consequences as well and can greatly accelerate evolutionary change in
the species around us. Anecdotal observations and recent studies suggest
that urbanization does not only affect the overall species composition
and certain aspects of the phenology but may change the behavior and
physiology of individuals thriving in urban areas, as well. Using a
combined field- and laboratory approach the aim of this PhD-project is
to investigate whether urban life changes the general behavioral
disposition (similar to the personality types in humans) and the
underlying physiological coping mechanisms (e.g. stress physiology) of
European blackbirds (/Turdus merula/). A common garden experiment will
be used to examine the potential evolutionary consequences of the
rapidly urbanizing world.

Requirements:
We are looking for an enthusiastic person, who is interested in
behavioral ecology, physiology (endocrinology) and evolution, with good
organizational skills, able to work independently as well as in a team
(field experience with birds is advantageous), who would like to take
this unique opportunity to combine field with lab work at the
well-equipped Max-Planck-Institute for Ornithology.

Appointment:
Starting date is May 1 2008. The appointment will be on a temporary
basis for a maximum of 4 years. The gross salary starts at approximately
1400,- per month depending on age and experience (TV?D 13/2, Stufe 1).

Information:
Additional information about this appointment is available upon request
from Jesko Partecke (partecke@orn.mpg.de <mailto:partecke@orn.mpg.de> or
++49-8152-373-117). More general information about the
Max-Planck-Institute for Ornithology can be found on our website
(http://orn.mpg.de/).

Application:
Please send your application including complete curriculum vitae, a
transcript of the university diplomas, a summary of the Master’s
(Diploma’s) thesis and names of three referees to Dr. Jesko Partecke at
the Dept. Behavioral Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics,
Max-Planck-Institute for Ornithology, Von-der-Tannstr. 7, 82346
Andechs/Erling, Germany, or by email to partecke@orn.mpg.de
<mailto:partecke@orn.mpg.de>. The closing date for application is March
31 2008, and the interviews will take place in the first week of April.

Scholarship Tags: Evolutionary, germany, Max-Planck-Institute, Ornithology, PhD position, Physiological Ecology