The Goymann lab at the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Germany, member of the International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Organismal Biology, is offering the three-year PhD position
Physiological and behavioral ecology of black and whitebrowed coucals Project abstract The African black coucal (Centropus grillii) and the white- browed coucal (Centropus superciliosus) breed in the open grasslands of the Usangu plains in south-western Tanzania. These two species are similar in size and share the same breeding habitat, but show extreme differences in their breeding biology. The whitebrowed coucal is socially monogamous, with both female and males sharing parental duties. In the black coucal the sex roles are reversed: each female vigorously defends a territory and is mated to up to 4 males. Each male incubates his own clutch of eggs and raises the young all-by-himself. We are interested in various aspects of the behavioral ecology, phenology, evolution and (hormone) physiology of sex-roles in coucals. The project involves long-term and intensive field work (including catching and tagging of birds, behavioral observations, telemetry) under harsh conditions in Tanzania and laboratory work in Germany. We particularly encourage applications of suitable PhD candidates from Tanzania. The successful applicant will participate in the International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Organismal Biology, the PhD program of the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology in Seewiesen and Radolfzell and the University of Konstanz. All IMPRS students are supported by stipends or contracts. The program offers a dedicated teaching program, high quality research experience, and outstanding research facilities in an inspiring research and living environment. The working language is English. Each PhD student receives individual supervision and mentoring and is guided in her/his research work by a PhD advisory committee. Qualification Applicants should hold a MSc or equivalent degree in biology or a related discipline at the point of enrollment. Queries should be mailed to the IMPRS program office: [email protected] Funding of this PhD project is not secured yet and depends on successful application for a DAAD grant of the PhD candidate together with the supervisor. Deadline for the application is January 15, 2013. Interviews are scheduled for Mid-March. The Max Planck Society is an equal opportunity employer. Application For the online application process visit www.orn.mpg.de/IMPRS More information at www.orn.mpg.de/IMPRS and www.facebook.com/OrganismalBiology
