NSF IRES Program in Chile I seek five highly motivated students to participate in a NSF funded program in Chile. The program supports two undergraduate students between June-August and three graduate students between June-October. Students will conduct independent projects and contribute to ongoing projects on Octodon degus sociality or Spalacopus cyanus communication systems. The likely research themes for for 2011 include the following (please note: related project ideas will be considered):
(1) Neuroanatomical and ecological sources of mating system variation in degus (Octodon degus) (2) Reproductive fitness consequences of social group living in degus (3) Influence of ecology and social conditions on coruru (Spalacopus cyanus) alarm calls A major objective of this program is to train students in grant writing. All participants will submit grant proposals to societies such as Sigma Xi and American Society of Mammalogists - due dates for several programs are in February and March 2011. I anticipate holding a grant writing workshop at the University of Louisiana at Monroe in January or February 2011. Qualifications (required) -Enrollment in an undegraduate or graduate (M.S. or PhD) program in Biology or a related discipline -Previous research experience -Knowledge of the relevant literature (mammalian social systems, alarm calling) -Strong writing skills -Strong analytical skills -Minimum 3.0 GPA in major field of study -A desire to conduct publishable research -Good physical condition - we work long hours in the field -Positive attitude and interest in learning about other cultures -Willingness to spend 3-6 months abroad -U.S. citizen Preference will be given to students with the following: -A publication record -Presentations at national or regional meetings -Knowledge or experience in acoustics (1 position) or behavioral neuroscience (1 position) -Experience with radio-telemetry (1 position) -Spanish language skills -Previous international experience Most travel costs (flight, monthly rent, entry fee for U.S. citizens) are covered by the grant. Additionally, students will receive per diem. If you are interested in these projects or have projects ideas related to my research program, please email me ([email protected]) a SINGLE pdf including the following documents by 25 October 2010: -1 page cover letter stating your interest, career plans, and strengths -a short (250-500 words) proposal of the research that you would like to conduct in Chile -Curriculum vitae detailing your research experience (and skills), publications, presentations at university or national meeting and relevant coursework -Names and contact information of two faculty members familiar with your work -Graduate students: please include a statement in your cover letter indicating that your major advisor approves of your participation in the program Please include the following title in the email heading and pdf (IRES11Lastname,Firstname). Emails can be directed to Loren Hayes ([email protected]). I hope to contact references in November and make final decisions by mid December. For detailed information about the source of funding (NSF IRES), please visit: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=12831 To see the blog sites of my current IRES students, please visit: http://thechileanexpedition2010.blogspot.com/ For information about my lab, please visit my new website https://sites.google.com/site/hayeslabofbehavioralecology/.
