PhD position - Can female promiscuity evolve via indirect selection on male sex-drive?
The <http://www.orn.mpg.de/IMPRS> International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Organismal Biology is jointly organized by the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology in Seewiesen and Radolfzell and the University of Konstanz. More than 25 internationally recognized research groups actively participate in the PhD program and offer challenging, cutting-edge PhD projects in the fields of Behavioral Biology, Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, Physiology, and Neurobiology. Project description Quantitative genetic analyses of male and female extra-pair mating behaviour in captive zebra finches have shown that female infidelity is positively genetically correlated with male sex drive (Forstmeier et al. 2011, PNAS 108:10608). This means that males with high sex drive will tend to sire daughters that are inclined to engage in extra-pair mating. To verify and further explore this finding we have established selection lines that have been selected over three consecutive generations for high versus low breeding values for male sex drive. The aim of the PhD project is to assess whether rates of female extra-pair mating (and hence extra-pair paternity) have indeed been altered by the indirect selection pressure exerted on males. If females from lines for high male sex-drive indeed show increased levels of extra-pair paternity (compared to control and low lines), the aim will be to characterize the behavioural differences among the selection lines (e.g. pair bond strength, sexual arousal). Main Advisor <http://www.orn.mpg.de/409052/employee_page?c=660919&employee_id=26271> Wolfgang Forstmeier, MPIO Seewiesen Our offer All students accepted to the program will be supported by stipends or contracts. Besides their own research, the IMPRS fellows attend laboratory courses and workshops in relevant transferable skills like scientific writing and project management. Talks by invited speakers during our annual IMPRS symposium, student retreats, and conference participation complete the individually tailored curriculum. 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. Your application Outstanding students of all nationalities with a deep commitment to basic research in Organismal Biology are invited to apply. Deadline for the application is January 15, 2014. Interviews with the applicants are scheduled for Mid-March. Candidates accepted into the program may start latest September 2014. The Max Planck Society and the University of Konstanz are equal opportunity employers. 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 program office: <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected] Application : For the online application process visit <http://www.orn.mpg.de/2383/Application> www.orn.mpg.de/2383/Application. More information on the current PhD projects at <http://www.orn.mpg.de/projects> http://www.orn.mpg.de/projects and <http://www.facebook.com/OrganismalBiology> www.facebook.com/OrganismalBiology.
