theory because they exhibit altruistic traits that contradict the
Darwinian principle of individual fitness maximization. Although a
large body of theory exists on the evolution of altruistic traits,
few studies have explicitly modelled the transition from a solitary
lifestyle to eusociality, including feedbacks between gene frequencies,
colony dynamics and population ecology that are a necessary part of
this process. We aim to fill this gap by building models based on recent
theoretical advances. Applicants should have a degree in a relevant area
(e.g. behavioural ecology, evolutionary biology, economics with focus
on game theory, physics, mathematics, computer science), with some
mathematical and computing skills and a keen interest in evolutionary
biology. The project will be supervised by Lutz Fromhage at the University
of Jyväskylä, in collaboration with Hanna Kokko at Australian National
University, Canberra. Funding is provided by the Department of Biological
and Environmental Science to fill positions in two out of four competing
projects, of which the above project is one. The department seeks to
recruit new students into its PhD programme, starting 1 January 2013. The
goal of the department is that the student completes the PhD degree
in four years. Initially, the successful candidates will receive a one
year employment contract, which can be extended up to four years after
positive progress evaluation. The application deadline is on 23 November
2012, 4:15 pm. Applications should be submitted exclusively through
www.jyu.fi/science/en/
CV, and a research and study plan. Before submitting the application, the
applicant is advised to contact Dr. Lutz Fromhage: lutz.fromhage@jyu.fi
Dr. Lutz Fromhage
University of Jyväskylä
PO Box 35, 40014 Finland
tel:
Lutz Fromhage <lfromhage@gmail.com>
