PhD position (4 years) - ARONIA Research Institute at Åbo Akademi University Novia University of App

PhD position (4 years) - ARONIA Research Institute at Åbo Akademi
University
Novia University of Applied Sciences, Finland

INDIVIDUAL VARIABILITY, COOPERATIVENESS AND CONSEQUENCES OF PARTNER
CHOICE
Project leader Markus Öst

Like humans, animals too have personalities, some of them being bold
and brave, while others are shy and softy. These differences have
traditionally been explained away as noise surrounding adaptive
population-average behaviour. Recent theory has aimed at adaptively
explaining this variability. However, little is known about whether
personality affects the tendency to cooperate with others, and whether
the mixture of personality types in socially breeding groups has fitness
consequences. These open questions can best be addressed by an
integrative approach, since genetics and individual state influence
endocrine mechanisms that govern behaviour.

This four-year project funded by Academy of Finland aims to 1)
demonstrate the existence of personalities, 2) relate personality and
physiological stress response to parental care strategy and parental
quality and state and 3) explore the distribution of personalities in
cooperative groups and its fitness consequences. The model species is
the eider duck (Somateria mollissima), where females show a variety of
parental care strategies, ranging from solo care to joint care with
other females.

Fecal steroid analyses are ideal for studying hormone-behaviour
relationships. It has previously been shown that stress responses relate
to personalities and dominance. We will quantify individual quality,
dominance, boldness, activity, exploratory behaviour and physiological
social stress response, as judged by fecal glucocorticoid metabolites
(GCMs) before and after choosing parental care strategy. This defines
individuals on the “boldness-shyness” personality axis.

Field work will take place at Tvärminne Zoological Station, SW Finland,
in a long-term, individually-marked study population. The biochemical
analyses (immunoassay) will be conducted abroad. The doctoral student
will be based at Ekenäs, Finland, joining the interdisciplinary ARONIA
Coastal Zone Research Team established in 2008. The new Ekenäs campus
creates an inspirational setting for supervision and training, and the
candidate will be enrolled at Åbo Akademi University.

HOW TO APPLY

We are looking for a self-motivated person with a Master’s Degree,
able to work both independently and in a team. The position is open from
early 2009 (with some flexibility) until the end of 2012. The thesis
work will be supervised by Dr. Markus Öst together with a postdoc. The
position is open to anyone with an interest in behavioural ecology,
evolutionary biology or physiological ecology. Previous experience of
field and lab work, good knowledge of statistics and proficient writing
skills in English are desirable qualifications. The salary will be paid
according to the guidelines of Åbo Akademi University.

Applications (in English) should include a
-Statement of research interests and motivation for applying for this
position, not exceeding 2 pages
-CV
-Publication list (if available)
-Contact information of two academic references

Send your application electronically to Markus Öst,
markus.ost [ à ] novia.fi. For further information, please e-mail or
call Markus Öst (tel. +358-19-224 8414).

Application deadline: 31 December 2008.