Fw: [Animove] PhD studentship opportunity - Tracking the social networks of a Critically Endangered freshwater eel

[Bernardo Santos]

Oportunidade de Doc com movement ecology...

B

----- Mensagem encaminhada -----

De: Michael Williamson via Animove <ani...@lists.mpg.de>

Para: ani...@lists.mpg.de <ani...@lists.mpg.de>

Enviado: quarta-feira, 3 de janeiro de 2024 às 10:52:06 GMT+1

Assunto: [Animove] PhD studentship opportunity - Tracking the social networks of a Critically Endangered freshwater eel

Happy New Year,

My colleagues and I would like to share a new fully funded  PhD studentship, based at Lancaster University. Please contact Dr David Jacoby (d.ja...@lancaster.ac.uk) for more information.

About the Project

Supervisors:

Dr David Jacoby (Lancaster Environment Centre)

Dr Adam Piper (Zoological Society of London)

Dr Stephen Thackeray (UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology)

The ways in which animals interact with one another are fundamentally influenced by both their social tendencies and how they interact with their environment (i.e. their space use). Behavioural variation within a population, that can determine both ecological and evolutionary processes, as well as influence how we might conserve threatened species, must therefore be considered in light of both social and spatial drivers.

This project utilises new high-resolution acoustic tracking techniques and novel analytical tools, to understand aggregation behaviour, social network structure and conservation implications of wild Critically Endangered European eel (Anguilla anguilla) behaviour, a species for which we know very little about their sociality. Applying network analysis to long-term, telemetry data from eel tracked inside a reservoir, the study aims to combine movement analytics with data on the timing, location and intensity of aggregations, as well as the environmental correlates of behaviour. It will explore the predictability and drivers of social behaviour within this enigmatic, heavily threatened and commercially important species, providing fundamental information on the ecology and population dynamics of eel in freshwater bodies. It will directly inform eel protection and conservation strategies (e.g. Trap and Transport) designed to maximise the escapement and reproductive potential of adult European eel.

The project will complement a wider study working with stakeholders at DEFRA and the Environment Agency, and will involve regular fieldwork to tag eel, retrieve data and maintain an active acoustic tracking array. Specifically, the study aims to address the following key questions: 1) What constitutes an eel aggregation, when controlling for spatial preferences? 2) Are environmental or social factors better predictors of population dynamics and behaviour (or a combination of the two)? 3) Can we predict the spatial and temporal occurrence of eel aggregations? and 4) How do water management strategies (inflow/outflow regimes) impact the network structure of the population?

The successful applicant will work closely with the NETLab to develop suitable network analytics that inform both ecology and conservation, with the Fish Movement Ecology Group to learn the application of high-res telemetry to study the movements of aquatic organisms, and the UKCEH Lake Ecosystems Group to explore the environmental stressors on this aquatic ecosystem. This project will feed into an ongoing programme that directly links ecology, conservation and policy and there will be opportunities to be involved in all these aspects during the course of the PhD.

General eligibility criteria

Enthusiasm, independence, self-motivation, curiosity and the ability to communicate to a range of audiences are all distinctly advantageous qualities for a PhD. Applicants would normally be expected to hold a minimum of a UK Honours degree at 2:1 level or equivalent in a relevant degree course. However, applicants who have gained experience in relevant fields through non-traditional routes are strongly encouraged to apply. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates, candidates who are in the first generation of their family to go to university, candidates who have been in care or who have been a young carer, and candidates from a low-income background.

Project specific criteria

We are looking for a motivated, curious and ambitious student to work with us on this research project. This research would suit candidates with a background in (computational) ecology, animal behaviour, network analysis and applied conservation. While a strong desire to learn new techniques will be important, skills in these broad background areas will be an advantage but not a requirement for this position. The successful applicant will be willing to undertake semi-regular fieldwork in the East of England. Professional development opportunities will be provided by experts in aquatic telemetry, lake monitoring and movement ecology from Lancaster University, the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and the Zoological Society of London, as well as numerous opportunities to engage with project stakeholders around eel conservation and management issues.

Studentship funding

A tax-free stipend will be paid at the standard UKRI rate; £18,622 in 2023/24. This is a fully funded studentship of 3.5 years for UK/Home students.

The CASE partner for the project will be the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), where co-supervisor Dr Adam Piper is based. ZSL will provide co-funding to the amount of £5000 towards the project.

Mike Williamson

Post-Doctoral Research Associate

Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London

 

The Zoological Society of London is incorporated by Royal Charter - Registered Charity in England and Wales no. 208728.
Principal Office England - Company Number RC000749 - Registered address Regent's Park, London, England NW1 4RY

This e-mail has been sent in confidence to the named addressee(s). If you are not the intended recipient, you must not disclose or distribute it in any form, and you are asked to contact the sender immediately.
Views or opinions expressed in this communication may not be those of The Zoological Society of London and, therefore, The Zoological Society of London does not accept legal responsibility for the contents of this message.
The recipient(s) must be aware that e-mail is not a secure communication medium and that the contents of this mail may have been altered by a third party in transit.

If you have any issues regarding this mail please visit:
https://www.zsl.org/about-us/contact-us