We are seeking to recruit two PhD students to study animal personalities,
foraging strategies, and their ensuing life history consequences in Galápagos
sea lions (Zalophus wollebaeki) in the research group of Oliver Krüger at the
Department of Animal Behaviour at Bielefeld University, Germany
(uni-bielefeld.de/fakultaeten/biologie/forschung/ arbeitsgruppen/behaviour).
Field work will take place on Caamaño, a small, beautiful island near Puerto
Ayora in the centre of the Galápagos archipelago. We have studied Galápagos sea
lions there since 2003 with most animals being individually marked. Field
seasons on Caamaño last from September-December and February-March each year.
Work on Caamaño includes daily census rounds, a variety of behavioural response
tests, behavioural observations, and captures of animals for tagging, growth
assessment, biologging deployment, and sample collection (for genetic, stable
isotope, and hormone analysis). Caamaño is isolated from civilisation and has
no facilities, so an ability to work under truly primitive conditions is
essential.
The preferred starting date is 15th of September 2021, as the PhD students need
to be trained during the next field season on Galápagos starting around the 1st
of October 2021. All expenditure with regard to the field season will be
covered, but the salary can only commence in January 2022. Both positions are
part of a continuation proposal of a Collaborative Research Centre (CRC), with
the final decision being made by the German Research Foundation in late 2021.
Therefore, the final confirmation of the PhD can only be given at the end of
the field season. Both positions will then be available for four years,
starting on January 1st 2022 and are funded with a gross salary of ca. € 2700
per month.
We seek bright and highly motivated students who have a proven record of field
experience studying wild animals. A very good master’s degree or an equivalent
in a relevant field (e.g., animal behaviour, behavioural ecology, population
ecology, evolutionary ecology) is expected. The ideal candidates will be able
to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team, will have
experience in statistics and, in addition to excellent spoken and written
English, will either be able to speak Spanish or are willing to learn it.
The PhD students will be based at the Department of Animal Behaviour at
Bielefeld University (https://uni-bielefeld.de/uni/profil) and supervised by
Oliver Krüger, Fritz Trillmich, and Joe Hoffman. The department is the oldest
of its kind in Germany and currently hosts seven principal investigators, ten
postdocs, and 20 PhD students from over ten different countries working on
related topics in behaviour, ecology, and evolution. It offers a stimulating
international environment and an excellent research infrastructure. The working
language of the Department is English. Bielefeld is a city of 333,000
inhabitants, having an odd blend of big city flair infused with pockets of
quiet, simple rural life and easy access to the Teutoburger Forest for hiking
and other outdoor pursuits.
To apply please send (i) your CV, (ii) a letter of motivation including a
1-2-page statement of your research experience, and (iii) the contact details
of three referees as a single PDF file to: [email protected].
Review of applications will begin on August 1st 2021 until the positions are
filled. For further information, please see
www.uni-bielefeld.de/fakultaeten/biologie/forschung/arbeitsgruppen/behaviour/team/
galapagos-sea-lion or contact Jonas Schwarz via email
([email protected]) with any informal inquiries.
The University of Bielefeld is an equal opportunity employer. We particularly
welcome applications from women and handicapped people. Given equal
suitability, qualifications and professional achievement, women and handicapped
people will be given preference, unless particular circumstances apply.
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