Phd Fellowships in Movement Ecology 2017, University of Amsterdam, Netherlands

Two PhD positions in movement ecology

The Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics is one of eight research institutes of the Faculty of Science at the University of Amsterdam. Research in IBED includes Community Dynamics, Biodiversity and Evolution, and Geo-Ecology, and aims at a better understanding of the dynamics of ecosystems at all relevant levels, from genes to climate change, using a truly multidisciplinary approach.

Within IBED two PhD positions are open with Dr Judy Shamoun-Baranes in the Computational Geo-Ecology group.

Job description

Animal movement is a fundamental characteristic of life on earth. Movement influences how, where and when animals find the necessary conditions for survival and reproduction; therefore, movement strategies must be efficient. Animal movement is influenced by complex interactions between intrinsic and extrinsic factors, resulting in a broad array of movement patterns among and within species. Understanding the factors that influence individual movement and the short- and long-term consequences of movement strategies has become increasingly important because of the rate at which humans are impacting the environment.

The two PhD projects will contribute to a long-term mission to understand how individuals adapt their movement strategies to environmental conditions, what the costs, benefits and constraints of different movement strategies are, and whether diversity is important for population persistence. The focal species for both projects is a generalist seabird, the lesser black backed gull (Larus fuscus) and the projects will rely heavily on the collection and analysis of bio-logging data using the UvA Bird Tracking System.

PhD Project Lifestyles will focus on the behavioural plasticity and energetic cost of different lifestyles. The aim of this project is to understand how intrinsic and extrinsic factors (e.g. atmospheric conditions, landscape and resource availability) influence the energetic cost of flight among different lifestyles and populations of the lesser black-backed gull. Using gulls as a model system the following objectives will be addressed:

1. to quantify the energetic cost of flight throughout the annual cycle, and how it differs among lifestyles and populations;
2. to compare the energy invested in flight to other activities throughout the annual cycle;
3. to test how intrinsic factors (breeding state, sex and morphology) influence the time and energy invested in flight;
4. to test how efficient birds are in modulating their flight behaviour (route, mode and kinematics) in response to atmospheric conditions and the landscape.

The PhD candidate will conduct lab and aviary experiments to measure heart rate and calibrate energy expenditure as measured in the field using tri-axial acceleration. The candidate will model the environmental envelope of flight and quantify time energy budgets throughout the annual cycle.

PhD Project Human-Wildlife Interactions will focus on consequences of human-wildlife interactions. The main aim of this project is to gain understanding in how a generalist seabird adapts its behaviour to human activities. This project is being conducted within the context of offshore wind turbine and aerial wildlife conflicts, more specifically in the Gemini wind park who have funded the project. The objectives will be addressed:

1. to quantify the space use, time-activity budgets and resource utilization of gulls during the breeding season and how this varies in relation to breeding status;
2. to identify the commuting routes and flight altitudes between the foraging areas and the breeding colony;
3. to determine how birds adjust their flight altitudes and airspeeds in response to atmospheric conditions, information which is important for estimating collision risk;
4. to assess flight behaviour within the wind farm both during foraging and commuting and determining whether this differs from flight behavior outside wind farms;
5. integrate available information to estimate collision risk.

This project integrates extensive fieldwork in a breeding colony on the Wadden Island Schiermonikoog (April – July), including nest monitoring, biometric measurements of birds and dietary analysis. Bio-logging data will be collected and analysed. The candidate will be expected to communicate regularly with the project stakeholders. 

Requirements

• A Master’s degree in ecology, evolution or earth science with a strong affinity for ecology;
• experience with spatial data, preferably movement data;
• interest (preferably experience) in field work (especially Project human-wildlife interactions);
• interest (preferably experience) in analysing large and complex datasets;
• good data analysis and modelling skills experience with programming in MatLab or R and working with databases is an advantage;
• interest in conducting multidisciplinary research;
• interest in communicating with non-academic stakeholders (Project human-wildlife interactions).

Further information​

For additional information, please contact:

• Dr. Judy Shamoun-Baranes: J.Z.Shamoun-Baranes@uva.nl

Appointment

The project starts spring 2017. The full-time appointment will be on a temporary basis for a maximum period of four years (18 months plus a further 30 months after a positive evaluation) and should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). An educational plan will be drafted that includes attendance of courses, (international) meetings and contribution to teaching. The full-time gross monthly salary will range from €2,191 in the first year to €2,801 in the final year, according to the Dutch salary scales for PhD students. The Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities is applicable. The Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities is applicable. The annual salary will be increased by 8 % holiday allowance and 8.3 % end-of-year bonus. 

Job application

Applications should include

1. a detailed CV including educational experience, a list of publications (if any) and the names and contact addresses of two academic references from which information about the candidate can be obtained;
2. a letter describing motivation and research interests including an indication project preference, and
3. an English writing sample (e.g. paper, MSc or BSc thesis). Please combine these materials into a single PDF file.

Applications should be sent before 16 March 2017, via email to application-science@uva.nl Please quote vacancy number 17-060 in the subject field.

Interviews, possibly via Skype, will be held on 5 April 2017.

For more information please click "Further Official Information" below.

This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:

http://www.uva.nl/en/about-the-uva/working-at-the-uva/vacancies/item/17-060-two-phd-positions-in-movement-ecology.html