PHD and 2 MSc Positions Available- PHD AND 2 MSC POSITIONS IN ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR AT MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY OF NEWFOUNDLAND (SPRING 2016)

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ABS CO Staff

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Sep 23, 2015, 11:04:47 AM9/23/15

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The Wilson lab at Memorial University of Newfoundland (www.cs.mun.ca/~dwilson) is recruiting a PhD student and two MSc students who are interested in studying communication and sexual selection in birds. Our lab uses aviary and field experiments to investigate how mate choice, intrasexual competition, and social dominance interact to shape reproductive success and secondary sexual characteristics in wild birds. We also use cutting-edge microphone array technology to detect and localize landbird species at risk. This passive monitoring technique allows us to identify and characterize critical habitat and microhabitat and to thus inform recovery strategies for species at risk. It also allows us to monitor vocal and spatial interactions that are important in sexual selection and behavioural ecology in these and other species.

Prospective MSc students should have experience conducting research as part of an Honours thesis or other comparable project. Students applying to the PhD program should have an MSc and experience conducting independent research on birds. Students will apply to the Cognitive and Behavioural Ecology program (http://www.mun.ca/science/graduate/interdisciplinary/cabe/), which is an interdisciplinary graduate program that includes faculty and resources from Psychology, Biology, Ocean Sciences, and Environmental Science. Successful applicants will enjoy the diverse academic environment of the St. John's campus, the historic and vibrant city of St. John's, and the scenic province of Newfoundland and Labrador. They will also enjoy a competitive funding package and one of the lowest tuition rates in Canada. Research in the lab is generously funded by NSERC, Environment Canada, and Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Interested applicants should send a curriculum vitae, unofficial transcripts, and a brief description of research interests to Dr. David Wilson (dwi...@mun.ca). The anticipated start date is May 2016, which will allow students to begin their research during the 2016 avian breeding season.