PHD POSITIONS IN EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY

September 30, 2007

Sponsored Links

Career Blog

The Wisconsin Idea Scholarship, University of Wisconsin–Madison

Online Distance Learning Courses for International Students

The Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) is a research institute
of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW). It
comprises three centres: the Centre for Estuarine and Marine Ecology in
Yerseke, the Centre for Limnology in Nieuwersluis, and the Centre for
Terrestrial Ecology in Heteren. Mission of the NIOO-KNAW is to carry out
fundamental and strategic research in ecology.

The Department of Animal Population Biology at the Centre for
Terrestrial Ecology is offering

2 PHD POSITIONS IN EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY (m/f) Vacancy number
CTE-PVD-07329

Job description: Both PhD positions are part of the NWO-VICI project
“Adapting to a warmer world: phenology, physiology and fitness”. In this
project, we study selection on phenotypic plasticity in timing of
reproduction in great tits in relation to global climate change. There
are five integrated subprojects ranging from quantitative genetics,
population dynamics and reproductive physiology to genomics. For two of
these subprojects we are looking for PhD candidates.

PhD position 1: “The mechanism underlying plasticity: cues”
Variation in plasticity of reproduction may be explained by
among-individual variation in how cues, such as photoperiod and
temperature, are used. This subproject will therefore link the observed
quantitative genetic variation in laying date reaction norms to
variation in sensitivity to photoperiod and temperature. We will breed
offspring from wild parents with known reaction norms in our unique
facility of 36 climatised aviaries and keep them under various
photoperiod and temperature regimes. We will measure gonadal development
and laying dates to determine the variation in photoperiodic thresholds,
circannual period length of the seasonal clock and temperature
sensitivity.

PhD position 2: “The mechanism underlying plasticity: cost of
reproduction”
Variation in plasticity of reproduction may be explained by
among-individual variation in the ability to obtain resources for egg
production. This subproject will therefore determine whether the
observed quantitative genetic variation in laying date reaction norms is
related to among-individual variation in the cost of egg production and
incubation in early spring. We will carry out field experiments to
determine whether individuals with shallow reaction norms advance their
laying dates more strongly under food supplementation than birds with
genetically steep reaction norms. Furthermore, we will manipulate laying
dates and measure variation among individuals in Daily Energy
Expenditure (DEE) during egg laying and incubation.

Requirements: We are looking for enthusiastic candidates with a Master
in Evolutionary Ecology or Animal Ecology, and with an affinity for
reproductive physiology.

Appointment: The appointment will be on a temporary basis for a maximum
of 4 years. The gross salary starts at Euro 1.956,- per month in the 1st
year, and will gradually increase to a maximum of Euro 2.502,- per month
in the 4th year, scale P, Collective Agreement for Dutch Universities
(CAO-Nederlandse Universiteiten), excluding 8% holiday pay and a
year-end bonus. We offer an extensive package of fringe benefits.

Information: Additional information about these positions is available
upon request from Prof. Marcel E. Visser (m.visser@nioo.knaw.nl or
+31-26-4791253), head of department Animal Population Biology. More
information about the NIOO can be found on our website
(www.nioo.knaw.nl).

Applications: Please send your application including complete curriculum
vitae and names of three referees to Prof. Marcel E. Visser at
NIOO-KNAW, P.O. Box 40, 6666 ZG Heteren, The Netherlands or
g.giesen@nioo.knaw.nl.The closing date for application is 19 October
2007, and the interviews will take place in the last week of October.

Prof Dr Marcel E. Visser
Head of Department Animal Population Biology
Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW)
P.O. Box 40
6666 ZG Heteren
The Netherlands

Phone: +31-26-4791253
Fax: +31-26-4723227
E-mail: m.visser@nioo.knaw.nl

Website: www.nioo.knaw.nl
Personal page: www.nioo.knaw.nl/ppages/mvisser

“Visser, Marcel” <M.Visser@nioo.knaw.nl>

Scholarship