Department of Behavioural Evolution of the Zoological Institute,
University of Bern, Switzerland
(1) One study will focus on the sharing of tasks, commodity trading and reciprocity in a cooperatively breeding cichlid where helpers pay to stay in a safe territory. Behaviour, group composition, threat and resource availability will be experimentally manipulated. In addition, long-term fitness effects of differences in the propensity to stay and help or to disperse will be measured in the field.
(2) The second project investigates the proximate and ultimate mechanisms of coexistence of flexible and fixed alternative reproductive tactics within a species. The model system is a snail-brooding cichlid where bourgeois males are exploited by two types of parasitic males. This study will involve experimental manipulation of tactic frequencies and female behaviour, measurement of reproductive fitness and sperm competition, and perhaps some modelling.
Applicants should have a master’s degree (or Diplom) in Biology and research experience in animal behaviour, a firm, theoretical background in behavioural and evolutionary evolution, and a strong commitment to basic science. Practical skills in the work with fish, both under water and in the lab will be very helpful. The successful candidates will be collaborating with the other members of the group, which will include approximately 4 advanced research staff, 6 PhD- students and a varying number of master and bachelor students. Besides research, PhD students are expected to assist in undergraduate teaching and supervision, with a training load not exceeding 10 percent of working time. Salaries will follow the scheme of the province of Bern and the Swiss National Research Foundation (approx. 34,000.- to 40,000.- CHF/year).
Closing date: Open until filled, but all application materials, including CV, a summary of research experience, copies of any published or in-press papers if applicable, and 2 letters of recommendation, should be received by May 30, 2008 to assure full consideration. The position will start at the earliest possible date and will be for three years. Candidates should indicate in a cover letter when they could take up the position.
Please send material to the secretary’s office, c/o Marlis Gerteis, Dept. Behavioural Evolution, University of Bern, Baltzerstr. 6, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland; or as an e-mail attachment to: marlis.gerteis@esh.unibe.ch. For further information please see
http://zoology.unibe.ch/behav/ or contact Michael.Taborsky@esh.unibe.ch
Michael Taborsky
