Absdigest Digest, Vol 16, Issue 13
James Ha
jcha at u.washington.edu
Fri May 2 13:16:49 EDT 2008
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+ A B S n e t - Electronic Newsletter +
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| Maintained in association with the Animal Behavior Society +
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| Editors: * James C. Ha Internet: jcha at u.washington.edu +
| ** Shan D. Duncan Internet: sdduncan at abs.animalbehavior.org +
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Today's Topics:
1. PhD scholarship in cognitive neuroethology/visual
neurobiology (Ximena Nelson)
2. ISBE Conference; Call for Symposia Abstracts (Alexis Chaine)
3. MS/Phd Assistantship to study elk behavior & brucellosis in
the Yellowstone Ecosystem (Scott Creel)
4. Marmot Volunteer Field Assistant Wanted (Shan Duncan)
5. Volunteer field assistant pos, ground squirrels, Canada (Amy Skibiel)
6. Lecture/Lab courses in Behavior, July, Villanova Univ.
(Robert Curry)
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Message: 1
From: Ximena Nelson <ximena.nelson at canterbury.ac.nz>
Subject: PhD scholarship in cognitive neuroethology/visual
neurobiology
Expressions of interest, open to Australian and overseas students, are
invited for a funded PhD in visual neuroethology. A Macquarie University
Research Excellence Scholarship (MQRES) for a PhD in cognitive
neuroethology is available in the laboratory of Assoc. Prof. Chris Evans
and Dr. Ximena Nelson at Macquarie University's Centre for the Integrative
Study of Animal Behaviour (CISAB, http://galliform.bhs.mq.edu.au/~cisab/)
(Sydney, Australia). This project will be conducted in collaboration with
Assoc. Prof. David O¹Carroll (University of Adelaide, Australia) and Prof.
Robert Jackson (University of Canterbury, New Zealand).
The project (see http://galliform.bhs.mq.edu.au/Spider_project/
<http://galliform.bhs.mq.edu.au/Spider_project/> ) involves an analysis of
the neural mechanisms underlying visual decision-making in jumping
spiders. We seek to use a broad range of methods, including intracellular
electrophysiology and behavioural experiments using 3D animation, to
understand how these small predators are able to make complex decisions
based solely on visual cues.
MQRES scholarships are available to students of any nationality with a
record of high academic / research performance and include a stipend of
AU$20,007 p.a. tax exempt (2008), allowances for relocation and thesis
costs, international tuition fees and overseas health cover for a maximum
of 3.5 years tenure. Because Australian PhDs do not include coursework
this is sufficient time within which to complete the degree. Support is
also available for research expenses and travel (visiting overseas
laboratories and attending conferences). Casual teaching opportunities may
be available within the Department.
Applicants should have completed qualifications equivalent to a four-year
Australian Bachelors degree with First Class Honours (such as a Masters
degree with substantial thesis component). Experience in some of the
following areas would be ideal: animal behaviour, neurobiology,
behavioural ecology, neuroethology, psychophysics. Evidence of research
capability through publications or presentations at scientific meetings
would be an advantage.
For further information and discussion regarding this project, and as an
expression of interest, prospective applicants should contact Dr. Ximena
Nelson (ximena.nelson at canterbury.ac.nz) before 31 May 2008. In your email,
please include electronic copies of your CV, as well as undergraduate and
postgraduate academic transcripts (including grades).
Further information on equivalence and other conditions for the
scholarship are available from the Higher Degree Research Office,
telephone: +61-2-9850 7663, e-mail: hdrschol at vc.mq.edu.au.
Final applications should be forwarded to:
The Scholarships Officer
Higher Degree Research Office
Cottage C4C
Macquarie University NSW 2109
AUSTRALIA
------------------------------
Message: 2
From: "Alexis Chaine" <alexis.chaine at EcoEx-Moulis.cnrs.fr>
Subject: ISBE Conference; Call for Symposia Abstracts
Call for Abstracts:
The 2008 International Society for Behavioral Ecology meeting in Cornell
will host a half day post-conference symposium entitled “Flexible female
choice and the evolution of male sexual ornaments” on August 15. Classical
theory for the evolution of male traits by sexual selection assumes that
female choice is fairly consistent. However, a variety of studies have now
shown that female choice can be much more complex and that flexibility in
choice can yield fitness benefits. Spatial, temporal, and among female
variation is likely to have profound consequences on the evolution of
exaggerated male ornaments and changes our perspective on the role females
play in such selection. The goal of this symposium is to highlight
variable selection and flexible female choice through both empirical and
theoretical studies and to generate discussion on questions that would be
especially fruitful for future studies of flexible female choice. The
symposium will be a balance of talks and discussion and participants
should be prepared to take an active role in discussions on the topic.
If you are interested in presenting your work at this symposium (or for
more information), please contact Alexis Chaine
(alexis.chaine at ecoex-moulis.cnrs.fr) with a brief description of the work
you wish to present. Please submit brief ‘abstracts’ by Friday May 16.
------------------------------
Message: 3
From: Scott Creel <screel at gemini.msu.montana.edu>
Subject: MS/Phd Assistantship to study elk behavior & brucellosis in
the Yellowstone Ecosystem
A MS/PHD Research Assistantship at Montana State University is available
for a highly motivated student to conduct research on the ecology and
management of brucellosis in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Research
projects are likely to include a combination of field studies of behavior
and ecology, and mathematical modeling. We are currently focused on elk in
the Jackson and Pinedale regions of Wyoming using historical datasets,
satellite imagery, GPS tracking and hormone assays. In particular, we are
interested in understanding how ecological and management-related factors
affect the movement and aggregation of elk with cascading effects on
disease. The student would work closely with a team of collaborators
including Scott Creel (MSU), Paul Cross (USGS), Geneva Chong (USGS), Eric
Cole (FWS), and Brandon Scurlock (WGFD).
This position and the project are fully funded.
- Qualifications: Minimum GPA: 3.5; GRE: 1,200 (Q+V)
- Salary: ~18K / year + tuition waiver
- Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Classes
beginning as early as September 2008
E-Mail a letter of interest including previous experience, résumé,
copies of transcripts and GRE scores to:
Paul Cross ( pcross at usgs.gov )
http://www.nrmsc.usgs.gov/staff/pcross
------------------------------
Message: 4
Subject: Marmot Volunteer Field Assistant Wanted
From: Thea Wang
Marmot Volunteer Field Assistant Wanted
Location: White Mountains, California (near Bishop and Lone Pine)
Description: Field assistant volunteer needed to work in a PhD
dissertation project aimed at studying the social behavior of yellow-
bellied marmots. The study examines social structure and behavioral roles.
Duties include assisting with live trapping, restraining and measuring
marmots, observing with a spotting scope, taking detailed behavioral
observation notes and entering data. This is a great opportunity to gain
field experience for graduate school.
Candidates must be available to work for the summer field season from May
24th – Aug 24th, 2008. Exact start and end dates are flexible.
Qualifications: Candidates must be comfortable living and working at a
high altitude remote field station (12500 feet/3800 meters) with
hantavirus risk. She/he should have an interest in biology and animal
behavior, the desire to wake up early, hike carrying equipment, work long
hours and deal with inclement weather. Attention to detail is important.
Previous field experience is encouraged but not necessary. The volunteer
is expected to cover his/her travel costs, as well as any medical costs.
Salary: 0
Compensation:
Housing and food will be provided. Applicant will receive training and
experience in trapping and wild animal restraint and will receive
appropriate recognition in published reports.
If you would like any further information please contact me at:
eebtwang at ucla.edu
If you are interested in the position please email a brief letter stating
your interest in the project and relevant experience and a CV to the email
below. Include the contact information of at least 2 references. Thea
Wang
Thea Wang
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
University of California, Los Angeles
------------------------------
Message: 5
From: "Amy Skibiel" <skibiam at auburn.edu>
Subject: volunteer field assistant position
Two volunteer field assistants needed to assist with a PhD field study on
energetics of lactation and physiological costs of reproduction in
Columbian ground squirrels in the Sheep River Provincial Park in Alberta,
Canada. Successful applicants will gain extensive field experience in
trapping and handling adults, yearlings, and juvenile squirrels and will
learn valuable field techniques including eartagging, marking, tissue
sampling (including blood and milk collection), genealogy-keeping, and
daily visual observations. This is a voluntary position, however, rent at
the University of Calgary field station will be free and there is the
potential to earn academic credit (if offered through your institution)
and to receive letters of recommendation (based on your performance in the
field). Field work starts on June 1 and extends to July 7, the time period
in which females are giving birth and nursing young. Assistants are needed
for this entire time period.Assistants must be:
(1) genuinely interested in behavioral and physiological ecology;
(2) speak fluent English;
(3) be independently motivated;
(4) have a good work ethic;
(5) the ability and desire to work long days in the field in varying
weather conditions (including snow and rain).
If interested, please email a cover letter stating why you would like this
job and a resume to skibiam at auburn.edu by May 18, 2008
Thank you,
Amy Skibiel
-----------------------
Amy Skibiel
08-09' BSGSA president
302C Funchess Hall
Auburn University, AL 36849
------------------------------
Message: 6
From: Robert Curry <robert.curry at villanova.edu>
Subject: Lecture/Lab courses in Behavior, July, Villanova Univ.
Spaces are still available in my undergraduate Animal Behavior lecture
course (Bio 3011; 3 credits) and its companion Lab course (Bio 3012; 1
credit) in Villanova's Summer Session II (27 June - 28 July 2008) on our
main campus in the Philadelphia suburbs.
Students matriculated at other colleges and universities with appropriate
background (2 semesters of introductory biology) are welcome to enroll.
The lecture course can be taken alone, although I recommend concurrent
enrollment in both parts; students needing lab credit must take both
lecture and lab components. Additional information is available at:
* http://www.homepage.villanova.edu/robert.curry/3011/index.html
* http://www.homepage.villanova.edu/robert.curry/3012/index.html
The lecture-lab combination includes emphasis on experimental design,
statistical analysis of data, and scientific writing.
General information about Villanova's summer school (including
registration procedures) is available at:
* http://www.villanova.edu/vpaa/parttime/programs/summercources.htm
For questions, contact me by email at
robert.curry at villanova.edu
Robert. L. Curry, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Biology
Villanova University
------------------------------
+========================================================================+
| Contact Addresses: |
| |
| James Ha |
| Department of Psychology and National Primate Research Center |
| University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195 |
| |
| Shan D. Duncan |
| Animal Behavior Society Central Office at Indiana University |
| 2611 East 10th Street #170, Bloomington, IN 47405 |
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