PHD Scholarship in Bird Movement

PHD Scholarship in Bird Movement

 

A three-year PhD studentship is available at the Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate at the Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen. The Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate (CMEC; www.macroecology.ku.dk) is an integrated terrestrial and marine research program addressing fundamental questions on the origin, maintenance, conservation and future of life and biological diversity on Earth.

 

The position is part of the project, MATCH: Migration in a changing world (www.zmuc.dk/VerWeb/STAFF/kthorup/kt/MATCH/MATCH.htm ), using satellite-based radio tracking to understand how small, long-distance migrants ensure arrival to suitable winter and stopover grounds at the appropriate time of the year.

 

We seek a bird migration biologist to work on questions related to control of bird migration. We are particular interested in understanding migration patterns and how mostly long-distance migratory birds track changing seasonal conditions, focusing on the control of individual migrations and the possible influence on the seasonal distribution of birds, including potential effects of climate change on future migration patterns. The research programme will include tracking migrating birds using state-of-the-art tracking techniques and assisting in developing and testing newly developed tracking equipment.

 

Qualifications and specific competences:

Applicants must have a relevant master’s degree or equivalent in ecology or related field. The student should have a background of natural history with excellent skills within the study of migratory animals. Extensive field work experience and experience in tracking of individual animals is required. The student should be able to carry out field work independently, preferably with own ringing license. Experience with computer modeling, GIS and statistical packages is expected.

 

Excellent English speaking, reading and writing skills are required.

 

Principal place of employment and place of work:

Natural History Museum of Denmark, Universitetsparken 15, 2100 Copenhagen.

 

The application must contain:

• A cover letter
• Curriculum vitae (incl. the applicant’s email address)
• List of publications
• Motivation for applying potentially including suggestions for research to be carried out as part of the research programme (0.5 A4-page)
• Transcript of university examinations (in English)
• Copy of a ringing permit or documentation of bird handling experience
• Names and contact details of 3 persons for references

 

For further information please contact Dr Kasper Thorup (kthorup@snm.ku.dk)

 

Applications will be evaluated by an assessment committee. The applicant will be notified of the composition of the committee. Each applicant will receive the part of the evaluation that concerns her/him. The main criterion for selection will be the research potential of the applicant. In addition experience with the above mentioned methods would be an advantage.

 

Salary and terms of employment

The successful applicant will be hired as a PhD student at the Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen for a three year period. Information on the PhD programs at the Faculty of Science can be found at http://www.science.ku.dk/phd/

 

Terms of appointment and payment according with the Agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Federation of Professional Associations (AC).

 

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

 

Applications must be received through the job portal of the University of Copenhagen at http://www.ku.dk/english/available_positions/vip/. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

The expected starting date is 1 January 2014.

 
Deadline for applications is 15 October 2013.
Publisher: Faculty of Science