I seek four enthusiastic students (two M.S. or PhD, two undergraduate) interested in participating in a NSF funded research trip during the austral winter-spring of 2010. The objective of the trip is to engage students in publishable research on Octodon degus or Spalacopus cyanus social behavior. Undergraduate students are expected to participate in projects beginning in May/June and through mid-August 2010 (8-10 weeks). Graduate students are expected to participate in projects beginning in May/June and through late October 2010.
Students will be asked to (i) assist with existing research projects in the field or analyze existing datasets and (ii) design and carry out their own project within the framework of existing projects. Students may collaborate with Luis Ebensperger (P. Universidad Catolica de Chile), Mauricio Soto-Gamboa (Universidad Austral de Chile), and/or Rodrigo Vasquez (Universidad de Chile). Graduate student projects can be linked to thesis/dissertation objectives if appropriate. Some of the projects that we are currently engaged in include: Fitness consequences and neuroantomical substrates of sociality Intraspecific variation in social mating systems Neuroendocrine correlates of sociality Intrauterine position effects Intraspecific variation in alarm calls Students working on degu projects will be based together in Santiago , Chile . They will have access to facilities at P. Universidad Catolica de Chile. Some travel to remote sites may be required. At least one student will collaborate with a University of Louisiana at Monroe graduate student on a study of coruru (Spalacopus cyanus) vocalizations at remote sites in Chile . I seek students with the following qualifications: U.S. citizenship Interest in conducting hypothesis-driven research on vertebrate sociality Strong writing skills and willingness to submit a Sigma Xi and/or American Society of Mammalogists Grant in Aid of Research proposal in spring 2010 Some research experience, preferably under field conditions Commitment to presenting data at meetings and contributing to publications Ability to work long hours (10-12 hrs/day, 5-6 days/week) in the field Spanish language training or willingness to take a Spanish course before trip Ability to work well with others Ability to spend 3-6 months in a major city and/or remote areas Good physical health – able to handle rigorous field work Minimum 3.0 GPA in a biological sciences (e.g. Biology, Zoology) major Undergraduates: Sophomore, junior, or senior status Graduate students: Written support of your major advisor Funding support includes: Round-trip flight ( U.S. – Chile ) Chile entry fee for U.S. citizens Shared housing with other students (rent paid up to $1000/mo) Other living expenses (Grad - $6000, Undergrad - $1800) Additionally, my grant supports some transportation costs in Chile and has limited funds for travel to a scientific meeting after the completion of international research experiences. Students will have access to field equipment including live traps and radio-telemetry. Access to laboratory and animal facilities in Chile may also be possible. Additional equipment needs can be addressed in student grant proposals. Please send an application including (i) a CV highlighting research experience, publications, etc. and any previous academic experiences abroad, (ii) a 1 page cover letter indicating your research interests (how they align with ongoing projects in Chile) and addressing how you meet the qualifications listed above, (iii) unofficial copies of undergraduate and/or graduate transcripts and (iv) the names and contact information of TWO references who can evaluate your academic and research backgrounds. Please merge these documents into ONE pdf file as part of an email attachment to Loren Hayes ([email protected]). I will evaluate applications and contact references beginning the week of 15 November 2009 . I hope to make preliminary offers – contingent upon submission of a societal grant and if necessary, enrollment in a Spanish language class – by mid December 2009. ‘Accepted’ students will be required to submit a grant proposal to Sigma Xi or the American Society of Mammalogists before final acceptance. Final acceptance is NOT contingent upon receiving support, only submission. If you would like to discuss potential project ideas or details of this opportunity, please contact me directly by email or phone (318 342 1798 ). Thanks for your interest. -- Loren Donald Hayes, PhD Assistant Professor Department of Biology University of Louisiana at Monroe Monroe, LA 71209
