*Looking for 2 Post Docs for a research on the behavioral game between a predator and prey (Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Israel)*
*Project Background*: A predator in a patchy environment should consider the anti-predatory behavior of its prey and use tactics such as managing the fear of the prey to maximize prey capture. To avoid predation, the prey should use time allocation and vigilance. The prey behavior is also dependent on prey density and the behavior of other prey individuals in the other patches. We study the behavioral game of two players in an artificial arena that was built specifically for this purpose in which a fish eating bird – little egret – is free to capture fish that are found in three different fish pools. The fish can choose to either hide undercover or to forage for food in the risky part of the pool. The ongoing study, which is supported by an ISF grant, deals mostly with building and testing the predictions of game models. Prof. Bill Mitchell (Indiana State University) is in charge of the game modeling effort. We offer *2 Post-doctoral positions* (duration: 1/2/2017 – 30/9/2018). We prefer candidates with previous experience in behavioral ecology and game theory. Candidates with a strong experience in theoretical and mathematical approaches to game theory are preferred. Experience and fluency in programming language (MATLAB or equivalent), database and statistical analysis is desired. Earlier results of this study can be seen in the following publications: 1. Katz, M. Z. Abramsky, B. P. Kotler, O. Altstein & M. L. Rosenzweig. 2010. Playing the waiting game: predator and prey in a test environment. Evolutionary Ecology Research. 12: 793-801. 2. Katz, W. M. Z. Abramsky, B.P. Kotler, M.L. Rosenzweig, O. Alteshtein & G. Vasserman. 2013. Optimal foraging of Little Egrets and their prey in a foraging game in a patchy environment. American Naturalist 181: 381-395. 3. Katz, W.M. Zvika Abramsky, Burt P Kotler, Inbar Roth, Ofir Altestein1& Michael L. Rosenzweig. 2014. A predator-prey behavioural game: How does number of food patches influence foraging tactics? Evolutionary Ecology Research 16: 19-35. 4. Katz, M. Zvika Abramsky, Burt P. Kotler, Inbar Roth, Stav. Livne Ofir Altstein, and Michael L. Rosenzweig. 2015. A predator-prey foraging game: How does prey density influence tactics? Evolutionary Ecology Research. 16:323-335. 5.Merav Wacht Katz , Zvika Abramsky , Burt P. Kotler , Ofir Altstein , Inbar Roth , Michael L Rosenzweig , and C. Klimovitsky. 2015. Comparing the non-lethal and lethal effects of predation risk on goldfish anti-predatory behavior. Israel J. of Ecology & Evolution. 62:121-127. For more details, please get in touch with *Prof. Zvika Abramsky, *Dept of Life Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Israel. Tel - +972 528795851 e-mail - [email protected]
