Department of Animal Behavior, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany PROJECT DESCRIPTION: How much are individual odors determined by genetics? The goal of this project is to investigate if genetics, particularly loci at the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC), govern identity cues that are used for social communication in banded mongoose populations. Banded mongooses have been studied in detail as part of the Banded Mongoose Research Project at a long-term field site at the Mweya Peninsula, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda (see the project website at http://socialisresearch.org). This project is part of an international collaboration and will combine behavioral data, field experiments, chemical odor profiles, microbial profiles, and high-throughput sequencing genetic methods to comprehensively investigate the mechanisms of genetic-based social signaling in a natural population.
TASKS: The PhD student will investigate the genetic basis of odor-based social communication in wild banded mongooses. Methods will include genotyping of MHC-loci, conducting field experiments on wild banded mongooses at Queen-Elizabeth National park in western Uganda, statistical analyses, and writing scientific publications for international, peer-reviewed journals. REQUIREMENTS: (1) a university bachelor or Master degree in Biology, Ecology, or a related discipline, (2) experience with field and lab work, (3) experience with statistical software, preferably R, (4) interest in behavioral, genetic, and evolutionary questions, (5) ability to work both independently and as part of a team, (6) excellent oral and written communication skills in English. PREFERRED EXPERIENCE: (1) papers in peer-reviewed international journals, (2) experience with high-throughput sequencing techniques, (3) experience working with multiple, large-scale data sets. POSITION: The position runs from early 2019 for three years and is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). The successful candidate will be based at the Department of Animal Behavior at Bielefeld University ( www.uni-bielefeld.de/biologie/animalbehaviour/home.html) and will be supervised by Dr. Jamie Winternitz and co-supervised by Dr. Hazel Nichols at Swansea University. Salary will be paid according to Remuneration level 13 (65%) of the Wage Agreement for Public Service in the Federal States (TV-L). APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: To apply, please provide: (1) a letter of motivation including a statement of your research interests and skills and experience relevant to the position; (2) a CV including publication list; (3) names and contact details of two referees willing to write confidential letters of recommendation. *All materials should be emailed as a single PDF file* to: [email protected]. The application deadline is December 15th 2018 and interviews will take place shortly thereafter. After the decision, the position should start as soon as possible. For further information on the project and the department, please contact Jamie Winternitz [email protected] with any informal inquiries. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The Department of Animal Behavior at Bielefeld University is the oldest of its kind in Germany and currently hosts seven principal investigators, eight postdocs and 20 PhD students. It offers a stimulating international environment and an excellent research infrastructure including new molecular laboratories. The working language of the Department is English. Together with the Evolution and Animal Ecology research groups housed in the same building, there are some 50 scientists and PhD students from over ten different countries working on related topics in behaviour, ecology and evolution. Bielefeld is a city of 325,000 inhabitants with all expected amenities and easy access to the Teutoburger Wald for hiking and other outdoor pursuits. It offers a high standard of living and is well connected to most major European cities. Bielefeld University has received a number of awards for its achievements in the provision of equal opportunity and has been recognized as a family friendly university. The University welcomes applications from women. This is particularly true with regard both to academic and technical posts as well as positions in Information Technology and Trades and Craft. Applications are handled according to the provisions of the state equal opportunity statutes. Applications from suitably qualified handicapped and severely handicapped persons are explicitly encouraged. -- Dr. Jamie Winternitz Department of Animal Behaviour Bielefeld University Morgenbreede 45, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.jcwinternitz.com
