Doctorado con aves en Australia

PhD scholarship to study effects of increasing temperature in a tropical endangered fairy-wren

In the Behavioural and Evolutionary Ecology of Birds Group
(https://sites.google.com/site/petersresearchgroup/) @ Monash
University, Melbourne, Australia, a PhD position is available to study
how ambient temperatures affect physiology and behaviour of
purple-crowned fairy-wrens Malurus coronatus using a combination of
existing and newly-collected data. This is an endangered bird
inhabiting the riparian zone of the monsoonal tropical savannah.

Field work will be taking place at AWC Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary in
the Kimberley region of NW-Australia. The research group has been
studying a fully colour-banded, known-age population since 2005, with
extensive information on individual life-histories. This project will
investigate how birds deal with the very high temperatures this
tropical endangered species experiences. The research will focus on
effects of high temperatures on metabolic rate, condition, heat stress,
foraging behaviour, use of microsites and molecular aging.
Additionally, the project will assess which individual attributes (age,
sex, social status, morphology, genetic background) and environmental
parameters (social group size, habitat) affect individual variation in
response to increasing temperatures. The work will consist of
behavioural observation, capture and handling of birds, metabolic rate
measurements

The research is funded through a Discovery Project grant of the
Australian Research Council (DP18) to Assoc Prof Anne Peters.

Monash University is a member of Australia's Group of Eight coalition,
and is internationally recognized for excellence in research and
teaching. The School of Biological Sciences is home to a collegial and
interdisciplinary research environment, with strengths in ecology,
genetics and evolutionary biology. The Monash doctoral program includes
additional training opportunities beyond the research program that
enhance employability post degree. Monash is located in Melbourne, one
of the most liveable cities in the world and a cultural and
recreational hub.

Requirements and further information
Applicants must have self-motivation, enthusiasm, a background in
behavioural an d evolutionary ecology, a passion for studying wild
animals in their natural env ironment, strong quantitative skills and
an excellent work ethic, experience wit h (tropical) fieldwork and/or
mistnetting highly desirable, a full driver¢s lice nce is required.

Successful students will be offered a stipend (living-allowance)
scholarship provided tax free for three years, with the possibility of
a six-month extension. Expenses for research, coursework, and
conference attendance are covered; relocation assistance is available.
For international students, cost of tuition fees and Overseas Student
Health Cover are covered.

In order to be eligible, students must have four-year degree with
relevant research experience, outstanding grades, and excellent
English. Evidence of published research is a plus.

The application process takes place in two stages. Send your initial
application to Anne Peters (anne.peters[at]monash.edu), consisting of:
a letter of motivation; a CV; overview of your academic results, and
translation if required, preferably indicating cohort rank or
percentiles; English test results if required; and the names and
contact details of 3 academic references. Deadline is 1 June 2018.

After a review of all applications, you may be contacted for a skype or
personal interview. If you are selected for a PhD position, you will be
sent an invitation to submit a formal application through the Monash
University web portal. Start date is September or earlier.

See https://sites.google.com/site/petersresearchgroup/ for further
details. Contact Anne (anne.peters[at]monash.edu) if you would like
further information on the project or the application process.

Anne Peters
Associate Professor | Future Fellow
School of Biological Sciences
108, 19 Rainforest Walk (enter via 25 Rainforest walk)
Monash University
VIC 3800, Australia
phone: +61 3 9905 6287

https://sites.google.com/site/petersresearchgroup/
http://scholar.google.com/citations?user=jpoOPNEAAAAJ