margulis
We are looking for a postdoctoral fellow to join
laboratory of Dr. Vladimir Pravosudov (Department of Biology, University of Nevada-Reno) to work on an NSF
funded project investigating fitness consequences of individual variation in
spatial and non-spatial memory in food-caching
chickadees. The project will use a unique RFID monitoring system to test
whether individual variation in spatial, but not in non-spatial learning
abilities is associated with variation in fitness in free-living food-caching
mountain chickadees in two environments (different elevations) hypothesized to
have different selection pressure on spatial memory associated with food
caching. All work will be in the field in the rugged mountain conditions –
in the beautiful Sierra Nevada along an elevation gradient from ca. 5,000 to
8,000 feet in the Lake Tahoe National Forest (about 40 min drive from Reno).
The postdoc will be expected to work in the field throughout the year using a
4-wheel drive vehicle when there is no snow and a snowmobile during the winter.
During the snowiest winters, we had up to 20 feet of snow at high elevations.
The postdoc will also be expected to build ‘smart’ RFID feeders and nest boxes.
Experience working with birds and with mist-netting is important. During the
breeding season (May-July) and during the banding and memory-testing period
(August-November), postdoc will be expected to work long hours and during
weekends. This is an annual appointment that can be potentially extended
for up to 5 years. Reappointment will be made by mutual agreement. Position
anticipated to start in Spring 2014, preferably in April-May but would consider
a later start for an especially highly qualified candidate.
To apply go to: https://www.unrsearch.com/postings/14558