I am writing to you because I have a strong possibility for a very interesting grant that includes a two-years postdoctoral position and I just learned that my candidate is not eligible. I need to recruit someone who is foreign (not French, not living in France).
I am looking for someone able&willing to work on an interdisciplinary program, between ecology and either psychosociology, or better environmental economics. It is about the anthropogenic Allee effect (the rarity paradox).
I have copied below a short description of the program, in case you need more information, but I have more if you (or applicants) need. Please do not hesitate to forward this information.
Unfortunately, the deadline is VERY soon (30th of June).
Thank you very much for your help!
best wishes
Franck
Franck Courchamp [mailto:franck.courchamp@u-
The rarity paradox : overexploitation of rare species
This grant, and the attached two-years fellowship, is focused on demonstrating the novel rarity paradox, either in new wildlife trade markets (i.e., exotic pets, traditional medecine, …) or in new exploited species (e.g., tibetan antilope, seahorses, …). The basic principe of this new hypothesis is that, in some economical markets, rare species have a higher value than common species. It can be the case for example with some luxury products (exotic woods, caviar, some furs) or for hobby collections (bird eggs, orchids, seashells). Paradoxically, even activities concerning persons that are interested in biodiversity and its preservation can unknowingly contribute to such an effect: exotic pet owners or ecotourists will both increase their effort to collect/observe rarer species, in both cases impacting the said species, either by direct removal of individuals or by disturbing animals (whale watching for example). The population declines likely resulting from all these activities will make individuals of the concerned species even rarer, and thus their appeal even larger, thereby driving them into a fatal loop of overexploitation, towards extinction.
We work with a combination of empirical analyses, experimental investigations and theoretical approaches within the framework of Conservation Biology, using tools and concepts from Ecology, Population Dynamics, Ecological Economics and Psychosociology. The candidate should demonstrate his/her ability and motivation to illustrate this concept with one or several examples, using the approach most suited to his/her skills and experience. A candidate able to work at the interface between ecology and human sciences (e.g, psychosociology or economics) would be most appreciated.
Details about the grant can be found here: http://www.rbuce-up.eu/
Details about the project can be found here (2nd theme): http://www.ese.u-psud.fr/epc/
Details about the group can be found here: http://www.ese.u-psud.fr/epc/
