PhD Scholarships in Psychology and Animal Behaviour Exeter Graduate Fellowships
The School of Psychology is seeking to appoint a number of PhD students starting in October 2009. The stipend will be approximately £13,000 p.a plus full payment of tuition fees at Home/EU rates (for non EU citizen, there is an additional tuition charge of £8,500k pa). These positions are available to applicants intending to register for an MPhil/PhD in October 2009. The award will be made for 3 years initially, subject to satisfactory performance, but will be renewable thereafter for a further 12 months, thus providing 'guaranteed' financial support in the final year in which the PhD will have to be completed.
We strongly recommend that applicants identify a potential supervisor and discuss potential research projects with the potential supervisor before applying. (See the School's Research page and potential supervisors' home pageshttp://psychology.exeter.ac.uk/pgresinterest.shtml for further information). For Animal Behaviour, see especially: Darren Croft, John Endler, Natalie Hempel, Lisa Leaver and Joah Madden.
To apply for this position please send a CV, a covering letter confirming the potential supervisor and an approx 2,000 word research proposal, indicating at least one specific study you might conduct, and how that study relates to previous work in that field. Please send your application to: Fiona Neligan, Postgraduate Secretary, School of Psychology, University of Exeter, Washington Singer Laboratories, Exeter, EX4 4GQ, United Kingdom, or email to
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We recommend you contact a potential supervisor no later 5 January 2009. Applications must be received by 16 January 2009.
Theoretical Ecology, CAnMove -- Lund University
Lund University is starting up a new center for "Animal Movement Research" and are now recruiting people to our "Technologial Innovation Lab", which will aid the scientists in adapting new technology for use in tracking animals at different scales, and managing the data collected. Please see the attached adverticement about this job, and please spread this information to anyone potentially interested.
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http://www.teorekol.lu.se/staff/ahedenstrom/ahedenstrom.html
PhD in immunology and inflammation.
The Laboratory of Immunology (Prof. Dr. E Cox and Prof. Dr. B. Goddeeris, Ghent University) and together with the Laboratory of Bacteriology (Prof. Dr. F. Haesebrouck) are offering a 3-year position for a researcher. The research is part of an SBO-project funded by the IWT entitled "Early warning monitoring system for prediction of disease outcome and for design of life saving therapy in sepsis and inflammation". The project is a cooperation between both UGent labs, the lab of Biometry of the Fac Vet Med at the UGent, labs of the KULeuven and the Industry.
An infection model using an Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae infection and LPS-induced inflammation model both in pigs will be used. The pig is chosen as animal model because it appears physiologically and anatomically to be one of the experimental animal species that leans most closely to the human species. In these models we can test on an individual basis the possibility of identifying parameters and their algorithms for prediction of disease outcome, in other words to test whether serum kinetics (algorithms) of inflammatory (acute phase) parameters can predict disease outcome. The project must be seen as a model for developing rapid on-line measurement in the circulation.
In a highly stimulating environment with other PhD students, post-docs and technicians which study mucosal immunity and inflammation in sheep and pigs, you will work under the supervision of a post-doc and together with a technician on early warning diagnostics using the pig as a model. Several tests for measuring acute phase proteins and other inframmatory mediators have to be introduced and/or developed
PROFILE - Recent diploma of Veterinarian, Biotechnologist or Bioengineer. Strong motivation to achieve a PhD and work with animals. Experience in working in a lab for instance during your master thesis, master after master or as a postgraduate student. Interest in immunology and inflammation. Send or mail your application (closing date 1st January 2009) with curriculum to: Prof Dr. B Goddeeris (E-mail:
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) or Prof Dr. E. Cox (E-mail:
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)
PhD in Molecular Primatology at MPI-EVA Leipzig
Position Description:
I am looking for a PhD student to conduct a project aimed at using DNA sequence analysis to improve our understanding of the evolutionary histories of primate populations. Primates in the wild exist in populations with very varied distributions. For example, some primates may occur in fragmented patches in a restricted area, whereas others may be quite widespread. Some closely-related species occupy widely separated ranges, while others occur adjacent to one another and may even hybridize along their contact zone. The wealth of nuclear genome sequence information newly available from chimpanzees, macaques, and other primates enable us to ask questions concerning the long-term histories of primate populations. By using high-throughput methods to resequence multiple segments of the nuclear genome of small numbers of representatives of different populations, we seek to understand when and how populations diverge, how they remain separate in the presence of gene flow, and the social, ecological and demographic factors that ultimately underly the patterns observed.
Qualifications/Experience:
Candidates with experience in relevant molecular biology lab techniques, population genetics theory, and skills in genetic data analysis are encouraged to apply. The student will be a member of the genetics group of the primatology department of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (see http://www.eva.mpg.de/primat/files/genetics.htm) and receive a degree through the Leipzig School of Human Origins, an International Max Planck Research School of the University of Leipzig and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (see http://www.leipzig-school.eva.mpg.de/start.html). Students are supported by fellowships.
Applicants will ideally already have a master's degree in a relevant subject (e.g., Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Anthropology). Alternatively, an excellent bachelor's degree (e.g., first, with high honors) may be acceptable but please enquire prior to applying. Candidates should also have good organizational skills, be interested in behavioral ecology, genetics and evolution, be able to work independently as well as in a team and enjoy working in an interdisciplinary environment.
Term of Appointment: Must begin by September 1, 2009
Application Deadline: January 31, 2009
Contact Information: Dr. Linda Vigilant
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology - Leipzig - Germany
Fax Number: +49-341-3550-229
Website: http://www.eva.mpg.de/primat/files/genetics.htm
The Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics at the Brain Mind Institute (EPFL, Switzerland) has a second opening at the PhD level in the area of Behavioral Neuroscience.
PhD level in the area of Behavioral Neuroscience: Our lab conducts research to understand the interactions between stress, cognition and psychopathology, as well as on the field of cognitive enhancement. We have a multidisciplinary approach to these topics, ranging from in-depth behavioral studies in wild-type and transgenic rodents, to cellular and molecular neurobiological approaches. More information about laboratory projects can be obtained on the web (http://lgc.epfl.ch/). Highly motivated candidates with a Masters degree in Psychology, Biology, or related disciplines are encouraged to apply. Previous experience in rodent behavior and/or any other techniques involved in the project is welcome, but not compulsive. A strong interest in the neurobiological basis of behavior and good writing and communication skills are important. Applicants should submit a letter with statement of research interests, CV and the names and contact details of three references.
Deadline for applications: December 1st, 2008. Applicants should contact : Prof. Carmen Sandi,
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Bursary stipend available for PhD student at the Department of Chronobiology, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
Development of a computer model of the suprachiasmatic nucleus in mammals. The supra-chiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the mammalian brain is the site of the biological clock. It receives input on the alternation of light and darkness from the retina in order to entrain to external time. It autonomically generates oscillations in its output with a period of about 24-h. It thereby modulates the behaviour and performance of downstream organs and of the entire organism.
Much is known about the 24-h pacemaker, its constituent parts, the entrainment to light, and its output pathways. Attempts have been made to build computer models in order to help understand the organisation of the SCN and its functions. A recent model (Beersma et al 2008) will be the starting point of the present project. In this model it is assumed that cells in the SCN can each generate an oscillation with a period of about 24 hours. There are data to support this assumption. The cells are supposed to interact through excitatory mechanisms. Such kinds of very simple assumptions turn out to be sufficient to understand rather complex characteristics of the SCN. The model-SCN is capable of "learning" the period of the entraining light-dark cycle while the cells that compose the model-SCN have no memory for that. In addition the model-SCN can adjust to seasonal changes in the light-dark cycle.
The goal of the present project is to extend the model to also include inhibitory interactions between cells, and to investigate consequences for downstream oscillators, such as for various organs. We aim to understand the consequences of odd light exposure patterns on the clock (such as induced by shift work conditions and transmeridian travel) and we want to derive specific light exposure patterns capable of restoring normal SCN patterns in people with disrupted clock signals.
While much of the work will deal with computer programming and performing simulations for a systematic exploration of parameter space, it will also include designing and performing specific experiments to test predictions of the model in human subjects. The work is intended to lead to a PhD-thesis.
For more information, contact Prof DGM Beersma,
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, tel 050-3632053
Job announcement - Call for a Postdoctoral Fellowship (Assegno di ricerca - Regione Piemonte) Post-doctoral position in Torino/Italy
Starting date: February 2009 - Duration: 2 (+2) years
Application deadline: December 1st, 2008
Institution: University of Torino
Eligibility: Italian citizens holding a PhD degree not older than 33 years (35 for those with a medical specialization).
Funding: 22.000 per year, secured by Regione Piemonte and Turin University.
Contact: Interested candidates should contact Marco Sassoe at
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.
Call for a Postdoctoral Fellowship (Assegno di ricerca - Regione Piemonte) Post-doctoral position in Torino/Italy
Starting date: February 2009 - Duration: 2 (+2) years
Application deadline: December 1st, 2008
Institution: University of Torino
Eligibility: Italian citizens who are presently working in a foreign research institution, in which they have spent at least 2 years.
Funding: 30.000 per year, secured by Regione Piemonte and Turin University.
Contact: Interested candidates should contact Marco Sassoe at
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. Topic of both positions is "Building inhibitory synapses: from cell adhesion to activity-dependent synaptogenesis"
The pattern of synaptic connectivity established during brain development is critical for neural function, and abnormalities in synapse formation contribute to the etiology of several neurological and psychiatric diseases. We are therefore interested in the molecules and mechanisms that regulate synapse formation in the central nervous system. My laboratory studies in particular GABAergic synapses, which are crucial for all aspects of neural computation. By combining mouse genetics and high-resolution imaging, we are exploring the role of GABA receptors, cell adhesion molecules and scaffold proteins in the activity-dependent assembly and maturation of GABAergic synapses.
One key achievement has been the demonstration that GABAA receptors are crucial for the activity-dependent regulation of synapse density during brain development (J. Neurosci. 26:3245-3255, 2006; Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 105:13151-13156, 2008). We are now planning to investigate how GABAergic signaling and neurotrophins interact during inhibitory synaptogenesis. We will also perform experiments of gene therapy in adult transgenic mice that have a reduced density of inhibitory synapses, to establish whether synapse number can be manipulated once animals have reached full maturity. These experiments will be done by transfection with viral vectors in mutant mice lacking major GABAA receptor subunits, followed by electro-physiology as well as light and electron microscopy.
Requirements: strong background in neurobiology or cell biology. Candidates will be selected by a local Committee on the base of their CV and a brief interview.
Post-doc available - genetics and mouse models of mental retardation and autism
We have just been funded by the NIH to conduct a large scale array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) analysis on human DNA samples from 900 patients with defined brain malformations to identify causative duplications or deletions. We expect novel and exciting data to result from our work. In the past six months, our pilot analysis of just 20 patients had identified 3 novel causative genomic copy number variants and we have already generated one transgenic mouse model replicating the corresponding human phenotype. This has allowed identification of the causative gene, a novel player in brain development. We are interested in both defining novel brain developmental mechanisms in addition to improved clinical diagnosis of developmentally delayed children. This is an NIH-funded post-doctoral position within the Chicago Developmental Disabilities Research Center, a research center within the Department of Human Genetics at the University of Chicago.
For information, contact Kathleen Millen at
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http://www.genes.uchicago.edu/millen.html
Postdoc in mathematical modelling of evolutionary sociobiology, Rutgers University
Applications are currently being solicited for a post-doctoral research associate in the area of mathematical modeling of evolutionary sociobiology and/or epidemiology at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. The lab's research focuses on the modeling of the evolution of sociality, studying questions of self-organizational strategies, societal stability, organizational success, and population robustness to disease threats. Questions explored are both theoretical and applied, and an ideal candidate would be interested in both aspects of the work.
For further details, please see Fefferman's website at http://www.math.princeton.edu/~feferman/.
Requirements:
a.. A Ph.D. in some pertinent field. Such fields could include, but are not limited to applied mathematics, computer science, ecology, epidemiology, or evolutionary biology
b.. Some research experience in applied mathematical modeling (within any scientific field would qualify)
c.. A basic understanding of statistics (can be extremely basic), or at least a willingness to learn independently
d.. An interest in evolutionary socio-biology
e.. An interest in disease and epidemics
f.. The ability to write clearly and scientifically (e.g. to produce drafts of papers for publication in scientific journals without too much oversight)
g.. Ability to work/communicate with a multidisciplinary team
h.. Ideally, a candidate would have some computer programming abilities (not necessary), and some experience mentoring undergraduate level-research (not necessary)
i.. Willingness to help with the preparation of grant proposals would be a plus
An ideal candidate could come from theoretical biology, ecology, or public health, but could also come from a program in applied mathematics, computer science, operations research, bio-engineering, or nearly any other technical field. The lab runs jointly between The Center for Discrete Mathematics and Theoretical Computer Science and the department for Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources, so there exists the possibility to play with the job title for those wishing to work in biology for a while, but then possibly return to math or computer science. This position could be appropriate not only to new Ph.Ds, but also to more advanced researchers looking to switch fields, or re-enter academia from government or industry.
This is a full-time, one year position with benefits, renewable for an additional year if things work out well. Ideal start date: January 2009, however this is negotiable. For further questions, or to apply by sending CV and statement of interest, send email to Nina H. Fefferman at fefferman (at) aesop.rutgers.edu. Applications will be reviewed as they arrive.
Post-Doc Opportunity in Ecohydraulics
Research: Decoding/forecasting the impact of in-stream habitat structure (e.g., woody debris) on fish habitat use, feeding, and population vitality through detailed hydraulic and multi-agent modeling. Organization: U.S. Army Engineer Research & Development Center (Environmental Lab), Cognitive Ecology & Ecohydraulics Team.
Web: http://el.erdc.usace.army.mil/emrrp/nfs/
(or) http://www.erdc.hpc.mil/PDF/spring08.pdf
Salary: $55,000-65,000 / yr. Location: Portland, Oregon. Length: ~3 yrs (Winter/Spring 2009 - September 2011). Degree Required: Ph.D. or equivalent. Skills Required: programming (at least an introduction to FORTRAN and Linux/Unix), ecohydraulics, modeling. Bonus Skills: hydrogeomorphology, river ecology, IBM or water quality or hydraulic modeling, Autodesk Maya, MATLAB, Tecplot, R, C/C++, parallel programming. Intellectual Interests: ecology, fish, rivers, hydraulics, food webs, math/algorithms, cognitive ecology.
Details: This basic research project is focused on developing new ecological theory and algorithms necessary to support development of a numerical model to assist managers tasked with designing the type and placement of habitat structure in streams, rivers, and estuaries. The Post-Doc will lead research and development of new ecological theory and algorithms mechanistically linking types and placement of habitat structure to hydraulic pattern and, more importantly, how this impacts fish movement, habitat use, feeding, and, ultimately, the population vitality of fish and other involved organisms. The research will use high-resolution multi-agent IBM (or Eulerian-Lagrangian-agent method, ELAM) modeling.
Contact: Interested candidates should email (w/subject header: "Habitat ELAM Post-Doc") a 2-page CV both to
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and to
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Post-Doc Opportunity in Neurobiology, Cognition, and Behavior
Research: Decoding/forecasting individual and group movement patterns in complex (urban) landscape environments through multi-agent modeling incorporating multi-modal sensory perception/integration, cognition, and decision-making at the individual level. Organization: U.S. Army Engineer Research & Development Center (Environmental Lab), Cognitive Ecology & Ecohydraulics Team. Salary: $55,000-65,000 / yr. Location: Portland, Oregon. Length: ~3 yrs (Spring 2009 - September 2011). Degree Required: Ph.D. or equivalent. Skills Required: one or more of the following at the individual (human or animal) level: neurobiology, mathematical psychology, quantitative analysis of behavior, cognitive ecology, signal processing, time-series forecasting, intelligent software agents, game theory, multi-modal sensory integration, cognitive decision making.
Intellectual Interests: perception, cognition, decision-making, individual/group/collective behavior, real-world social/asocial environments, math/algorithms, modeling. Project Details: This basic research project is focused on developing new theory and algorithms necessary to support development of a multi-agent simulation tool for decoding/forecasting the movement patterns of individuals and small groups in highly complex urban environments. The Post-Doc will lead research and development of new theory and algorithms integrating the latest knowledge in multi-modal sensory perception/integration, cognition, learning, and adaptation into intelligent software agents that will form an Eulerian-Lagrangian-agent method (ELAM) model.
Web http://el.erdc.usace.army.mil/emrrp/nfs/elam.html
The Post-Doc is expected to be adept at learning and integrating knowledge from a wide variety of scientific disciplines. Contact: Interested candidates should email (w/subject header: "Terrain ELAM Post-Doc") a 2-page version of your CV to
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Two post-doctoral positions are available immediately to study learning and memory and neurodegeneration with genetic approaches in the mouse.
Candidates must possess a recent Ph.D., M.D./Ph.D., or equivalent degree with experience in molecular biology or/and mouse behaviors. Interested candidates should send their CV, a brief description of past experience and research interests, and names of two references (postal and e-mail addresses and phone numbers) to E-mail:
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A one-year postdoctoral position in songbird neuroethology, funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR), is available from winter 2008-2009 at the Laboratory of Neurobiology of Learning, Memory and Communication (NAMC, CNRS-UMR8620, http://www.namc.u-psud.fr/namc Team n°3), located at the University of Paris-Sud in Orsay, 35 min from Paris (France).
The work will be centered on the ANR funded project "Birds' voices: multilevel integration of neuronal signals during vocal recognition in a songbird communication network". This ANR project implies three different research groups (leading group: "Lab. Ecologie & Neuro-Ethologie Sensorielles", EA3988", N. Mathevon, University Jean Monnet, Saint-Etienne ; "Lab. Hubert Curien, CNRS UMR 5516", S. Mottin, University Jean Monnet ; "Neurobiologie de l'Apprentissage, de la Mémoire et de la Communication, CNRS UMR 8620", C. Del Negro, University Paris XI), and aims at understanding the acoustic-based individual recognition processes in the zebra finch Taeniopygia guttata using different major approaches, from ethology to neurophysiology.
The present post-doctoral work will focus on the electrophysiological approach and will consist in studying auditory responses of neurons in secondary auditory areas in the zebra finch. The position is based in University Paris XI. The salary is 2110/month, plus full benefits of French public medical care. The successful applicant should have a PhD in behavioral neuroscience or neuroethology with a strong interest in in-vivo electrophysiology. Expertise in signal analysis would be appreciated.
Please send your application, which should include your CV, summary of your current research and contact information of at least two references to
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Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
Job, positions 
July 2010
