*Post-doctoral Research Fellowship – Seabird navigation*
A postdoctoral research position is available at Stellenbosch University
(duration 3 years) to work on a collaborative project examining the use
of infrasound for navigation in seabirds (see
https://seabirdsound.wordpress.com/about/)
This specific postdoctoral project will focus on exploring the
mechanisms that may underlie seabird infrasound detection. The project
will use advanced 3D imaging techniques to visualize and measure sensory
organs in a variety of seabird species. The data will be examined within
a phylogenetic framework and integrated with spatial modelling and
geophysical components of a larger international collaborative project.
Aural structural data will also be used to model theoretical frequency
sensitivity of infrasound detection by seabird sensory organs.
The project and postdoctoral position is part of a larger project
(funded by a Human Frontier Science Program grant) that brings together
the fields of geophysics (hosted by Jelle Assink, Royal Netherlands
Meteorological Institute, The Netherlands), behavioural ecology
(Samantha Patrick, University of Liverpool, UK), physiology (Susana
Clusella-Trullas, Stellenbosch University, South Africa) and spatial
modeling (Mathieu Basille, University of Florida, USA). The postdoctoral
candidate will be part of a young, dynamic team of cross-disciplinary
researchers (4 co-PIs and 4 postdocs) that will work closely together
and combine i) the infrasonic wavefield in the atmosphere and the ocean,
ii) the structural mechanisms by which seabirds can detect infrasound
signals and iii) the bird’s behavioural responses in field conditions,
to unravel the role of infrasound in seabird navigation.
The position will require a PhD in biological sciences, preferably
comparative anatomy or physiology, or a related field (e.g.
physiological ecology). The candidate should have experience and
creative insights into microscopy methods (e.g. TEM/SEM, fluorescence
microscopy, 3D imaging and analysis), a strong background in advanced
statistics (e.g. multivariate analyses; geometric morphometrics) and a
proven track-record for publishing research in high quality
peer-reviewed literature. Desirable criteria include knowledge of and
advanced programming in the R statistical environment.
The applicant will be based in the CL•I•M•E laboratory of Susana
Clusella-Trullas (http://clusellatrullas.blogspot.co.za/), Department of
Botany and Zoology at Stellenbosch University, South Africa, but must be
able to work as part of a close collaborative team and be willing to
spend short periods of time at all four institutions involved. The post
is full time and fixed term for 36 months and candidates would start on
1st October 2017.
*To apply *
Applications should consist of an academic CV, cover letter and brief
description (300 words) of three key published papers that show skills
relevant to this post and particularly novel results. Applications and
further enquiries should be directed to S. Clusella-Trullas
([email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>).
Review of applications begins August 1st 2017 and will close as soon as
a suitable candidate has been found.
*_________________________________________________*
**
*Susana Clusella-Trullas***
Associate Professor - /Physiological Ecology/
Department of Botany and Zoology & Centre for Invasion Biology
Stellenbosch University
Private Bag X1 - Stellenbosch 7602
South Africa
Tel: +27 21 808 3974
__
http://clusellatrullas.blogspot.co.za/
https://scholar.google.co.za/citations?user=i0T9UOsAAAAJ&hl=en
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Susana_Clusella-Trullas
*______________________________________________*
