Plasticity of Cognitive Capacities (Dir. Frederic Mery) of the Lab
Evolution Genome and Speciation (LEGS, CNRS) in Gif sur Yvette (France)
to work on the evolutionary biology of social transmission in Drosophila.
Social learning has been studied mostly in fish, birds and mammals
including humans. In insects, social learning has been unambiguously
demonstrated in social Hymenoptera and recent evidence show that even
non-eusocial insects such as /Drosophila/ can copy the behaviour of
others (see Battesti et al 2012). Compared to individual learning, which
requires a trial and error period in every generation, social learning
can potentially result in stable transmission of behavior across
generations, leading in some species to cultural tradition. Despite the
potential importance of social transmission on animal behavior
relatively little is known about the processes which may facilitates or
prevent this transmission and the relationship between social network
structure and efficiency of social transmission.
The goal of this project is to study experimentally the genetic and
socio-environmental factors affecting social transmission. In
collaboration with the evolutionary ethology group of the university of
Strasbourg (Dr Cedric Sueur),we will also integrate social network
analysis by video tracking experiments. Our ultimate goal is to
understand whether a relationship between social network structures and
dynamic can reflect the efficiency of social transmission, i.e. can we
use social network analysis in order to predict social transmission of
information and ultimately the evolutionary trajectory of a group?
The successful candidate should be highly motivated and will develop
his/her own experimental project on this general topic. Candidates
should have a PhD in evolutionary biology or animal behavior science.
Good experience with invertebrate behavioral experiment will be highly
appreciated. Some experience with Drosophila behavior and genetics would
help but are not required. No preexisting knowledge of French is
required, although some knowledge makes living in the lab easier. Gif
sur Yvette is located 40 min from Paris downtown.
*Salary/funding**:
*The salary will be in accordance with French national regulations for
post-doctoral researchers and depends on age and experience (net income
is around 2000 Euros per month)**
**
*Term of Appointment**:
*The initial appointment will be for 2 years and will begin on 1
December 2013. **
**
*Application Deadline**:
*15 September 2013**
**
*Comments**:
*To apply, send your CV and a letter describing your research interests
and some ideas for a project to Frederic
Mery:Frederic.mery@legs.cnrs-
recommendation to be sent to the same address.
--
Frederic Mery
Laboratoire Evolution, Genomes et Speciation
CNRS - Bat 13
Avenue de la Terrasse
F-91198 Gif sur Yvette Cedex France
E-mail: Frederic.Mery@legs.cnrs-gif.fr
Phone (Office): (33) 1 69 82 37 32
Phone (Lab): (33) 1 69 82 38 63
Fax: (33) 1 69 82 37 36
Web: http://epcc-drosophila.
