The Dingemanse lab at the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Germany, member of the International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Organismal Biology, is offering the fully-funded three-year PhD position
Evolutionary ecology of dispersal Project abstract Our main research focuses on the proximate underpinning and ecological and evolutionary repercussions of between-individual in behavior and other labile traits. We apply research paradigms that focus on the integration of behavioral ecology, quantitative genetics, and evolutionary biology. We study suites of key behavioral (exploratory tendency, anti- predator boldness, aggressiveness) and life-history traits in each of 12 nest box populations of great tits, and use experimental approaches to ask i) whether natural selection can help maintain individual variation and ii) whether variation itself has ecological and evolutionary repercussions. This year, we encourage applicants with interest in the evolutionary ecology of dispersal to apply, since we are planning to quantify experimentally parental, environmental, and genetic sources of variation in natal dispersal behavior, and its links with perceived predation risk and parental personality (collaborative project with Bart Kempenaers). 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] Deadline for the application is January 15, 2013. Interviews are scheduled for Mid-March. The successful candidate is expected to start latest September 2013. 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
