Ph.D. Endeavour Award opportunity

MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY, Sydney, Australia: Ph.D. Endeavour Award opportunity to study behaviour, cognition, and learning in desert ants or honeybees.

Candidates are invited to apply for a PhD scholarship opportunity at the Department of Brain, Behaviour and Evolution (http://galliform.bhs.mq.edu.au/~bbe/) via the Endeavour Awards scheme (http://www.endeavour.deewr.gov.au/). Students on these scholarships are not obliged to contribute to teaching, but may do so to supplement their income if desired. Up to AU$6,000 p.a. will be available to cover direct research expenses, and several generous schemes exist to support travel to visit overseas laboratories and to attend international conferences.

The project is based in the laboratory of Ken Cheng (http://galliform.bhs.mq.edu.au/~ken/), to whom enquiries should be directed (ken.cheng@mq.edu.au). Interested applicants should first contact Professor Cheng with an expression of interest, including a CV and academic record.

The theme of the PhD opportunity is relatively open, but possible study systems are 1) field experiments on desert ants, Melophorus bagoti, in Central Australia investigating their navigation, learning, or foraging ecology; 2) campus-based experiments on honeybees, comparing the performance of precocious foragers with artificially accelerated development and normal foragers, on a range of tasks such as discrimination, navigation, and flight performance.

The honeybee work will be co-supervised by Dr. Andrew Barron of the Department of Brain, Behaviour and Evolution (http://galliform.bhs.mq.edu.au/~andy/Site/About.html).

Applicants should have completed research qualifications equivalent to a four-year Australian Bachelor degree with First Class Honours, such as a Bachelor degree plus a Masters degree with a substantial research component. Applicants should have a background in some of the following areas: biology, psychology, animal behavior, behavioral ecology, neuroethology.

Closing date for expressions of interest: 16 May 2010.

Proposition de stage en éthologie de l’enfant

Thème

Etude expérimentale de l’échange chez l’enfant

Encadrement
Sophie Steelandt, doctorante à l’ Université de Strasbourg
Valérie Dufour, chargée de recherche au CNRS
Bernard Thierry, directeur de recherche au CNRS

Durée du stage
Deux mois et demi : du 1er juillet au 17 septembre 2010

Lieu de stage
Zoo d’Edimbourg, The Royal Society of Scotland, 134 Costorphine Road, Edinburgh EH12 6TS, Ecosse

Description
Cette étude s’insère dans un programme réalisé en coopération entre le Département d’écologie, physiologie et éthologie (Strasbourg) et le zoo d’Edimbourg (Living Links, Université de St Andrews). Le stage consiste à participer à une recherche portant sur la capacité des enfants à s’engager dans des échanges avec un expérimentateur et à évaluer leurs chances de perte et de gain. Les enfants ont entre 2 entre 8 ans, ils sont choisis parmi les visiteurs du zoo. Le stagiaire participera aux expériences et à l’analyse des données.

Profil requis
Avoir une formation de niveau bac + 2 minimum en biologie du comportement ou psychologie.
Etre inscrit à l’université ou une école.
Avoir un bon niveau d’anglais.

Conditions de travail
Temps plein, du lundi au vendredi.
Indemnité mensuelle : 415 euros.

Frais de mission
Les frais de voyage et de logement à Edimbourg sont pris en charge par l'équipe.

Contact
Envoyer CV et lettre de motivation par courrier électronique à :
Bernard THIERRY
Département Ecologie, Physiologie et Ethologie
IPHC, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg
23 rue Becquerel, 67087 Strasbourg cedex 2
mél: bernard.thierry@c-strasbourg.fr
tél: 03 88 10 74 58 (après-midi)
http://iphc.in2p3.fr/-B-Thierry-.html

Volunteer Research Assistant: Cooperation in Barbary Macaques, Morocco

Hiring Organization:
University of Lincoln

Date Posted:
2010-04-28

Position Description:
I am looking for a volunteer research assistant to help with data collection for my PhD project supervised by Dr Bonaventura Majolo (University of Lincoln, UK). The project investigates the cognitive and social factors affecting cooperation in wild Barbary macaques in the Middle Atlas Mountains, Morocco. This is part of a longitudinal project on the socio-ecology of the Barbary macaque run by Dr. Majolo and Professor Mohamed Qarro (Ecole Nationale Forestière d'Ingénieurs, Rabat, Morocco) and started in January 2008. The research assistant will help with the habituation and identification of two troops of Barbary macaques consisting of about 25 monkeys each. The position will also involve running a series of field experiments on cooperation and the collection of behavioural data. A minimum availability of 6 months is required for this position, starting in June 2010, but precedence will be given to candidates available to stay in Morocco for 12 months.

The work at the field site is physically and mentally demanding. The field site is between 1,400 and 1,900m a.s.l. and weather conditions can vary dramatically across the year, with temperature ranging between 35ºC to -5ºC and snow in the winter months. Hence, interested individuals should be physically fit. The successful applicant will live in the town of Azrou in an apartment block with basic amenities including internet access.

This position is an excellent opportunity to gain experience of animal behaviour research and fieldwork. So far, most for the research assistants who have contributed to this longitudinal project have progressed to post-graduate studies. The field site is in the wonderful Cedar and Oak forest of the Atlas Mountains and Azrou is close to the Moroccan imperial cities of Fez and Meknes.

Qualifications/Experience:
Previous field experience is desirable but not essential. Priority will be given to applicants who have experience of behavioural data collection on primates.

Applicants should:
• Have a background in Animal behaviour, Primatology, Anthropology or related fields.
• Have a strong interest in primate behaviour research and social cognition.
• Have some knowledge and experience of behavioural data collection methods.
• Be mentally and physically fit for long days in the field in a challenging environment.
• Be open-minded, prepared to adapt to living in a foreign culture, and able to work as part of a team.
• Be highly motivated, very patient, enthusiastic and committed to scientific research.
• Be emotionally mature, responsible, hardworking, and disciplined in following field procedures and reliable.
• Feel comfortable being away from family and friends for extended periods of time.
• A valid driving license and good spoken English are essential requirements for this post.
• Being able to speak French/Arabic is a plus.

Salary/funding:
The research assistant will receive no salary, but the house rental will be provided. Monthly expenses for the research assistant should be around £150-£250.

Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
I can provide a room in an apartment block with me and other people (PhD student and research assistants) in the town of Azrou. The successful applicant should cover all other expenses related to the trip and the stay in the field site: their own health and travel insurance, flights to and from the field site, food, running costs, and any other required items.

Term of Appointment:
A commitment of at least 6 months is required with the position starting in June 2010. A review of applicants will start immediately and will continue until the position is filled. We do intend to fill the position as soon as possible but this is a long running project so all applications are welcome.

Application Deadline:
Until position is filled

Contact Information:
Sandra Molesti
School of Psychology, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool
Lincoln, LN6 7TS
United Kingdom

E-mail Address:

sandra.molesti@gmail.com

Field assistant: Long-tailed macaques, Sumatra, Indonesia.

Hiring Organization:
German Primate Centre

Date Posted:
2010-04-28

Position Description:
We are looking for a field assistant for a PhD project investigating the costs of mate guarding in male long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis). The study will be conducted in the Gunung Leuser National Park, North Sumatra, Indonesia.
The work of the field assistant will include behavioural data collection on males as well as faecal and urine sample collection for hormone, protein and genetic analyses.
The project is supervised by Dr Antje Engelhardt from the German Primate Centre.

Qualifications/Experience:
A Bachelor degree in Anthropology, biology, ecology or any other relevant field is required.
The language in our team will be English but the willingness to learn basic Bahasa Indonesia is expected.
Previous field experience is welcome but not required. Priority will be given to applicants with successful experience collecting behavioural data from individually recognized mammals.
Experience of working in tropical conditions under demanding physical exercise is helpful as monkeys are followed from dawn to dusk (13h a day; 5days a week) in a tropical rainforest.

In general, applicants should:
- be physically fit and mentally strong with very good social skills
- be able to work independently within our team
- feel comfortable living under basic conditions and being far away from family/friends
- be willing to adapt to a foreign culture
- be emotionally mature, friendly, energetic and very patient
- be able to maintain a positive attitude towards hard and tiring work.

Salary/funding:
Food and lodging for the assistant will be covered by the project. In addition the assistant will receive a small stipend (100 € per month), but only after successful completion of the first 6 months of work.

Airfare, in-country transportation, insurance and visa/permit fees have to be covered by the assistant.

Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
see above

Term of Appointment:
November 2010 – July 2011

Application Deadline:
June 1st 2010

Comments:
If interested, please email the following to cedric.buttoz@gmail.com
- A cover letter explaining why you are interested in this position
- Your CV
- The names and contact information for 2 academic or professional references.

Contact Information:
Cedric Girard-Buttoz
German Primate Center / Reproductive biology Department / Kellnerweg 4
Goettingen, none 37077
Germany

Telephone Number:
+62 (0) 81263315931

E-mail Address:

cedric.buttoz@gmail.com

Field Assistant - vervet monkey research

Hiring Organization:
University of Lethbridge

Date Posted:
2010-04-25

Position Description:
We are looking for one or two people to assist in ongoing behavioural and ecological data collection on habituated vervet monkeys at our semi-desert research site in South Africa. We are primarily interested in people who can spend more than six months - preferably a year - at the site and who are able to begin by August 2010. The successful applicant(s) will be trained in electronic data collection and will work alongside postgraduate students. The position is perhaps best suited to those who wish to do graduate work of their own at some point.

Qualifications/Experience:
Clearly, some field experience would be very useful, if only because it would indicate a proven ability to tolerate the often-tedious long days that field data collection involves, but the primary skill would be an ability to live alongside others under moderately close conditions and to do so cheerfully. The ability to drive is necessary and, to do so in a stick shift truck, very valuable.

Salary/funding:
None

Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
We provide board and lodging and defray the cost of air travel for appointees who stay longer than six months. Those remaining for a full year will have all their travel costs covered.

Term of Appointment:
Appointees MUST provide proof (i) of medical cover for the duration of their stay and (ii) a valid driver's license.

Contact Information:
Peter Henzi
University Drive
Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4
Canada

Website:
http://directory.uleth.ca/users/peter.henzi?no_headers=1

E-mail Address:

peter.henzi@uleth.ca

Drill Reintroduction Field Team Leader

Hiring Organization:
Pandrillus Foundation

Date Posted:
2010-04-25

Position Description:
The field team leader will lead a team of local trackers, government wildlife rangers and a drill specialist in on-the-ground follow of a group (~100) of released drill monkeys Mandrillus leucophaeus. Some members of the release group will be fitted with satellite (GPS-GSM) telemetry collars and the field teams’ role is to verify the position of the group or groups. It is anticipated that the release group will fragment into 2 or more groups, thereby complicating the task of the field team, which may itself have to split into more than one team. In addition to visual location of the drill group(s), the team will collect basic behavioral and other data on the group and fecal samples.

The position is field-based, and will be supervised from the Drill Ranch camp, with which VHF radio contact should be able to be maintained most of the time.

Qualifications/Experience:
Minimum skills requirement:
• Traditional compass orienteering, map-reading & basic field survey skills
• GPS/cybertracking experience
• Proven leadership abilities & experience
• Fluent written & spoken English
• Outstanding physical fitness
• Mentally tough

Additional important skills:
• Primate behavior and ecology experience
• Degree in natural sciences
• Wildlife background
• Field conservation experience
• Africa experience

Salary/funding:
provisionally voluntary;

Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
food, accommodation & logistics provided

Term of Appointment:
minimum 1 year, based on 2 month probation

Application Deadline:
15 May 2010

Comments:
Interested applicants should submit a detailed CV and letter to: info@pandrillus.org

Contact Information:
Liza Gadsby
Drill Ranch, HEPO Box 826
Calabar, none
Nigeria

Telephone Number:
+234 803 592-1262

Website:
http://www.pandrillus.org

E-mail Address:
info@pandrillus.org

Field Assistant: Titi Monkey Behavioral Ecology in Santa Cruz, Bolivia

Hiring Organization:
Indiana University, Bloomington

Date Posted:
2010-04-24

Position Description:
I am looking for several volunteer field assistants to help with the long-term monitoring of the social behavior, ecology, and genetics of wild titi monkeys (Callicebus donacophilus) in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Field Assistants will be required to do all day follows on the various groups 5 days/week. Assistant responsibilities include recording social and foraging behavior, mapping group movements, entering data, aiding in playback experiments, and collecting fecal samples for genetic analyses.

Qualifications/Experience:
Previous field work experience or graduate of a qualified field course is preferred. Volunteers should be highly motivated with a strong interest in primate behavior and ecology.

Generally, students should:
1. be in good physical and mental condition
2. be able to cope with early morning starts
3. be comfortable being away from family and friends for long periods of time
4. have a positive attitude
5. be patient and committed

Salary/funding:
No funding is available at this time. However, subsidized accommodation is available.

Term of Appointment:
September 1, 2010 to December 1, 2010

Application Deadline:
Ongoing

Contact Information:
Kimberly Dingess
PO Box 316
Davenport, NY 13820
USA

E-mail Address:
kdingess@umail.iu.edu

Animal Research Technician - Advanced (4)

Hiring Organization:
Graduate School

Date Posted:
2010-04-21

Position Description:
Administer medications and treatments; assist with social housing and enrichment of animals; monitor animal and room environments; recognize animal behavior and symptoms; lead and direct the activities of laboratory animal technician staff; consult with research investigators to determine the needs for animal housing, diets or special requirements or procedures; maintain sanitation standards, records and supplies; and perform animal husbandry tasks. For a complete position description go to: http://www.ohr.wisc.edu/WebListing/Classified/PDDetail.aspx?vacid=75020&title=46074.

Qualifications/Experience:
Animal care regulations enforced by the Animal Welfare Act, OSHA, and USDA; Guide for Care and Use of Laboratory Animals principles and practices; animal husbandry procedures; animal care and handling techniques; sanitation methods and requirements; safety rules and precautions; computerized data systems; and report methodology. Must be highly organized and able to manage multiple priorities at the same time, and have the ability to develop a good rapport and communicate well with faculty, staff, and students. Ability to lift 50 pounds and stand on feet for long periods of time with or without an accommodation.

SPECIAL NOTICE: For UW-Madison Campus safety information and crime statistics/annual Security Report, see http://www.wisc.edu/students/faculty/safety.htm or call the Dean of Students office at (608) 263-5700 for a paper copy.

Employment will require a criminal background check.

Applicants must be TB negative.

Salary/funding:
Starting salary is $15.039 per hour, plus excellent benefits. A six month probationary period is required. This position is represented by the Wisconsin State Employees Union, Technical Bargaining Unit. This position is in pay schedule/range 06-12.

Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
No.

Application Deadline:
Send completed application/examination materials to: Anne Mekschun, Graduate School Human Resources, 307 Bascom Hall, 500 Lincoln Drive, Madison, WI 53706-1380; fax (608) 262-5235; or email ammekschun@uwmad.wisc.edu by 4:30 PM, May 7, 2010. This position was originally announced on January 25, 2010 with a deadline date of February 8, 2010. If you previously applied for this position, you do not need to reapply at this time. Applications materials will be evaluated and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the interview process.

Contact Information:
Shanita Lawrence
1220 Capitol Court
Madison, WI 53715-1299
USA

Telephone Number:
(608) 262-0149

Fax Number:
(608) 262-8946

Website:
http://www.primate.wisc.edu/

E-mail Address:
slawrence@primate.wisc.edu

Allocation de Thèse de Doctorat INRIA Financée par l’ERC (2010-2013)

Equipe INRIA Bambooi

Laboratoire d’accueil : UMR203 INRA - INSA de Lyon, Biologie Fonctionnelle, Insectes et Interactions (BF2I)ii

Caractérisation des réseaux de régulation transcriptionelle dans la symbiose trophique entre le puceron du pois Acyrthosiphon pisum et la bactérie Buchnera aphidicola.

Contexte de l’étude. Le puceron du pois est un ravageur notable des cultures de très nombreuses légumineuses en climat tempéré, notamment à cause de son rôle dans la transmission de virus phytopathogènes. Son impact économique fort est lié à sa formidable capacité reproductive (cycle de reproduction parthénogénétique) durant la période estivale.

Très récemment le séquençage du génome du puceron du pois vient d'être achevé et l'annotation par le Consortium International Aphid Genomics, dans lequel l'UMR BF2I participe activement, a été publiée en 20101. Les annotations génomiques sont regroupées dans la base génomique AphidBaseiii développée par l'UMR Bio3P à l'INRA de Rennes.

Notre équipe a plus particulièrement annoté les gènes métaboliques et les transporteurs du puceron du pois. Ces annotations sont rassemblées dans une base de données dédiée AcypiCyciv que nous avons développée dans le but de reconstruire et d'étudier le réseau métabolique du puceron et de sa bactérie symbiotique. Enfin, nous avons développé avec la société NimbleGen une puce à ADN comprenant environ 23 000 gènes du puceron. La disponibilité de ces outils d’analyse génomique doit permettre le développement de stratégies innovatrices de recherche en génomique fonctionnelle ayant comme but de mieux comprendre la biologie de cet insecte pour mieux le contrôler. Plus particulièrement, l’équipe d’accueil travaille sur l’étude des réseaux de régulation qui régissent l’association symbiotique trophique entre A. pisum et la bactérie Buchnera aphidicola (pour une revue récente sur les symbioses procaryotes – animaux voir Moya et al.2).

Projet de thèse. Le projet de recherche est centré sur l’étude et la caractérisation de la régulation transcriptionelle du puceron du pois face à des stress nutritionnels et de son interaction avec la bactérie symbiotique Buchnera aphidicola qui lui fournit les acides aminés essentiels absents de son alimentation, la sève phloemienne. Le travail de thèse sera centré sur l’intégration des données expérimentales de type transcriptomique avec une caractérisation in silico des réseaux de régulation. Premièrement, une caractérisation de la réponse transcriptionelle à une carence en acides aminés comparativement à un milieu de culture complet (Ap33) sera réalisée. La première phase prévoit une analyse des données cinétiques sous Rv (outils Projet Bioconductorvi) et à l’aide de la base de données AcypiCyc. Cette analyse sera ensuite complétée par des analyses bioinformatiques pour la characterisation de facteurs de transcription pour permettre une première reconstruction du réseau de régulation de la transcription chez le puceron du pois. Cette reconstruction sera aussi enrichie par l’analyse expérimentale des petits ARNs (par la technologie RNAseq) en réponse au stress nutritionnel. Ce travail de thèse s’inscrit dans un projet plus vaste de biologie systémique (SISYPHE : Species Identity and SYmbiosis Formally and Experimentally explored) et intègre une collaboration avec des bioinformaticiens spécialistes notamment de l’analyse des réseaux. Les données acquises dans cette thèse pourront servir de benchmark pour la validation des différents algorithmes développés dans le projet SISYPHE.

Bibliographie
1. The International Aphid Genomics Consortium. Genome Sequence of the Pea Aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum. PLoS Biol. 8, e1000313 (2010).
2. Moya, A., Pereto, J., Gil, R. & Latorre, A. Learning how to live together: genomic insights into prokaryoteanimal symbioses. Nat. Rev. Genet. 9, 218-229 (2008).
3. Febvay, G., Rahbé, Y., Rynkiewicz, M., Guillaud, J. & Bonnot, G. Fate of dietary sucrose and neosynthesis of amino acids in the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum, reared on different diets. J. Exp. Biol. 202, 2639-2652 (1999).

Profil du candidat
Le projet s’adresse à un(e) étudiant(e) motivé(e) par des approches de génomique, avec un intérêt particulier pour les réseaux métaboliques et la régulation de la transcription. Une compétence en analyse des données et /ou en modélisation est fortement souhaitée. La personne recrutée travaillera au laboratoire BF2I en lien direct avec les chercheurs INRIA de l’équipe Bamboo du laboratoire LBBE, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1.

Financement
Cette thèse INRIA s’inscrit dans le cadre du projet de Marie-France Sagot intitulé SISYPHE (Species Identity and SYmbiosis Formally and Experimentally explored) et financée pour 3 ans par le Conseil Européen pour la Recherche (ERC Advanced Grants). Le montant de l’allocation est d’environ 1750 euros/mois (brut).

Candidature
Les personnes intéressées sont invitées à envoyer une lettre de motivation, accompagnée d’un Curriculum Vitae, d’une description des expériences de recherche et le nom et adresse d’un ou plusieurs référents avant le 15 Juin 2010.

Pour informations complémentaire et pour la candidature contacter :
Stefano Colella vii
INRA - Chargé de Recherche (CR2)
UMR203 BF2I, équipe – « Symbiose : Génomique Fonctionnelle des Interactions Trophiques »
Tél : +33 (0)4 72 43 84 76 ; E-mail : stefano.colella@lyon.inra.fr
Marie-France Sagot
INRIA – Directeur de Recherche (DR1)
Equipe INRIA Bamboo
Tél : +33 (0)4 72 43 13 88 ; E-mail : Marie-France.Sagot@inria.fr

i http://prabi2.inrialpes.fr/bamboo/
ii http://bf2i.insa-lyon.fr
iii http://www.aphidbase.com
iv http://pbil.univ-lyon1.fr/software/cycads/acypicyc/home.html
v http://www.r-project.org/
vi http://www.bioconductor.org/
vii http://sites.google.com/site/stevatravaggio/

Field Research Assistant, Ring-tailed lemur project, Madagascar

Hiring Organization:
Denise Gabriel, PhD candidate, University of Victoria

Date Posted:
2010-04-17

Position Description:
I am looking for a dedicated and enthusiastic field research assistant to help collect data for my PhD project on the relationship between stress and parasitism in ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) occupying human-disturbed habitats in Madagascar. This project will take place at two field research sites in south-central Madagascar near Andringitra National Park: the Anja Special Reserve and the Tsaranoro Valley. Both sites are remote and conditions can be difficult: temperatures may vary from 5 to 40 degrees Celsius, mosquitoes are prevalent, and the terrain is rough. Accommodations will primarily be in the form of camping, with basic amenities available at each site (i.e. electricity, some running water, pit latrine toilets, a cook, NO internet on site, minimal cell phone reception). The nearest town is 12 km away, with the larger city of Fianarantsoa located approx. 1.5 hours away.

A typical work day will start at 0800 and finish at 1700, with a 2 hour break for lunch, and will consist of collecting behavioural data and fecal samples from focal individuals. Data will be collected from alternating populations over 4 to 5 day cycles, with a day off in between to rejuvenate our supplies and ourselves. We will also travel back and forth between sites in 3-week cycles.

The work can be tedious and tiring, but it is also dynamic and a lot of fun!

Qualifications/Experience:
Prior field or remote travel experience is recommended, but not required. French language skills are an asset.

The successful applicant will:
1) have a strong interest in animal biology/behavioural ecology
2) be independent and capable of taking directions well
3) be physically fit
4) be open to the challenges of “life outdoors”

A patient and positive attitude is essential.

Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
This position is on a volunteer basis. You will be required to cover international travel, visa, and medical insurance expenses, as well as the cost of food and accommodation (~$100/week, combined).

Term of Appointment:
Mid-August through November, 2010 and/or mid-February through July, 2011

Application Deadline:
I will continue to review applications until the position is filled

Comments:
If this sounds like an experience you think you would enjoy, send me an email that includes a short statement of interest, your CV, and contact information for academic/professional references (letters are not required)

Contact Information:
Denise Gabriel
Victoria, BC
Canada

E-mail Address:
denisegabrie@gmail.com

Offre de thèse, INRA-Nouzilly

OCYTOCINE ET ATTACHEMENT SOCIAL CHEZ LE JEUNE : ROLE DANS L’APAISEMENT INDUIT PAR LA PRESENCE DE LA MERE

Directeur de thèse : Raymond NOWAK

Equipe « Comportement, Neurobiologie, Adaptation »
Laboratoire de Physiologie de la Reproduction & des Comportements
UMR 6175 INRA/CNRS/Université de Tours/Haras Nationaux
INRA – Centre de Tours
37380 Nouzilly

Le comportement social des ovins se caractérise par l’existence de relations affiliatives fortes. Celles-ci ont surtout été décrites dans le cadre de la relation mère-jeune mais aussi dans la relation homme-animal, ou de la relation entre adultes. Ces relations affiliatives se caractérisent entre autres par (1) un lien particulier avec un individu (préférence pour la figure d’attachement), (2) vers qui des comportements spécifiques sont exprimés (recherche de contact), (3) un état de calme en présence du partenaire (accalmie), (4) un état d’agitation en son absence (détresse).

Parmi les différents facteurs physiologiques et neurobiologiques influençant les réponses d’attachement entre deux partenaires, l’ocytocine focalise actuellement la communauté scientifique. Cette molécule, secrétée par une structure cérébrale, l’hypothalamus, est impliquée dans les relations sociales (entre partenaires sexuels, entre la mère et l’enfant, entre partenaires sociaux) et qui est connu pour induire l’apaisement, voire la confiance envers autrui. Ce peptide fait l’objet de synthèses bibliographiques nombreuses et de spéculations sur les bases de l’attachement chez les humains, le réconfort de la rencontre, l’accalmie de la réunion, et les effets anti-stress des caresses. On suspecte même que c’est un dérèglement du système ocytocinergique qui serait à la base de certains troubles comportementaux infantiles liés à la maltraitance, de l’instabilité sociale chez les bébés abandonnés à la naissance et élevés en orphelinat, ou encore des problèmes de communication sociales chez les enfants atteints de certaines formes d’autisme.

Bien que la littérature concernant les relations dites affiliatives soit particulièrement abondante, il existe peu d’exemples relatifs à l’attachement du jeune vers sa mère (contrairement à l’attachement maternel). Les caractéristiques comportementales des ovins en font un modèle d’exception puisque les agneaux développent très tôt une relation préférentielle avec leur mère. L’objectif du travail de thèse est d’explorer l’implication de l’ocytocine dans l’attachement filial.

Cette analyse s’appuiera sur une approche multidisciplinaire et aura pour objectif de mesurer les variations physiologiques et neurobiologiques concomitantes aux variations comportementales révélatrices d’apaisement induit spécifiquement par la présence maternelle. Le programme de thèse reposera sur l’utilisation de différentes approches : comportement, dosages hormonaux, immunocytochimie, microscopie, imagerie cellulaire. Un travail plus exploratoire cherchera à cartographier le système ocytocinergique dans le cerveau des agneaux à travers l’imagerie cérébrale fonctionnelle (gamma-scintigraphie).

Profil du candidat : M2 en biologie du comportement avec de bonnes connaissances en physiologie, neuroendocrinologie, neurobiologie. Forte motivation nécessaire (travail en horaires décalés possible).

Contact : Raymond.Nowak@tours.inra.fr

Conference on "Social systems: demographic and genetic issues" next October (11-15th) in Paimpont, Brittany, France

We organize a conference on "Social systems: demographic and genetic issues" next October (11-15th) in Paimpont, Brittany, France. We propose the conference to be organized around 2 major themes:

1. Social organization and demographic structure – The influence of philopatry, polygyny, dispersal bias among sexes, natal sex ratio, social reproductive suppression, kin selection and kin discrimination, on demographic structure

2. Social organization and genetic structure –The effects of social organization and group dynamics, the role of group fission, fission-fusion social systems, sex biased dispersal, the influence of dominance rank (lineages or individuals), mate choice on the distribution of relatedness and gene diversity of neutral and functional (for instance MHC) genes. The conference will mix theoretical and empirical approaches, scientific questions with methodological issues.

The conference will be limited to about 75 people, with space for about forty oral communications and for posters. We invite people who wish to communicate at the conference to send us a tentative title for an oral communication or a poster before May 19th.

Organization and registration details including a list of confirmed invited speakers can be found on http://socior.univ-rennes1.fr/

Nelly Ménard 1, Nicolas Perrin 2, Eric Petit 1 & Jean-Sébastien Pierre 1
1 Department for the study of Ecology, Biodiversity and Evolution at the University of Rennes 1 and CNRS (National Centre for Scientific Research, France)

2 Department of Ecology and Evolution at the University of Lausanne (University of Lausanne, Switzerland)


Nelly Ménard,
UMR 6553 ECOBIO,
Ecosystème, Biodiversité, Evolution;
CNRS/Université de Rennes 1;
Station Biologique
35380 Paimpont-France

V European Conference On Behavioural Biology 2010 - Ferrara, July 16-18

Abstract Submission and Early Registration to ECBB 2010 will close on 30 April 2010

With your collaboration, we are building a very interesting program with 15 Symposia covering many areas of behavioural biology, from ethology to behavioural ecology to comparative psychology.

Plenary lectures will be given by Joan Strassmann (Rice University, Houston), Elisabetta Visalberghi (CNR, Rome) and Martin Wikelski (University of Konstanz and Max-Planck-Institute for Ornithology, Radolfzell)

You can submit a contribution for a Symposium. Each Symposium hosts two Keynote Speakers proposed by the conveners, whereas the remaining three speakers will be selected among the submitted abstracts.

There is some space for free Oral Presentations. Alternatively, you will be able to present your research in the Poster session, which will be given plenty of time.

We did our best to keep conference fees as low as possible. Early registration fee including coffee, lunch, and tea breaks for the 3 days of the Conference is 150 EUR for students and 230 EUR for other participants.

Please go to www.ecbb2010.org for details about online abstract submission and registration, plus information about accommodation, travel, and more.

Please subscribe to our Newsletter at www.ecbb2010.org to receive regular information about ECBB 2010.


Leonida Fusani
Chair of the Organizing Committee
ECBB 2010

MASTER’S PROJECT IN ANIMAL SCIENCE

Fall 2010 – Fall 2012
PIG BEHAVIOUR AND WELFARE

Duration: 2 years starting September 2010

Subject: Study of lameness in gestating sows

Description:
The goal of this project is to develop force plates to measure weight distribution of sows on their limbs in relation with the degree of lameness and to compare this method to already developed tools (visual scoring, kinematics, posture and stepping measurements with accelerometers). This project is part of a larger research program on the impact of housing on longevity of gestation sows conducted across Canada.
The project will take place at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Dairy and Swine R&D Centre in Sherbrooke (Québec) in collaboration with the Prairie Swine Centre (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan). The student will be supervised by Nicolas Devillers (research scientist in ethology) and Renée Bergeron (professor in ethology) and will receive a scholarship of 17 500 CAN$ per year. The student will be registered in the Animal Science Master’s program at the University of Guelph (Ontario) or at Laval University (Québec).

Candidate skills:
Bachelor degree in animal science or animal biology; or doctorate in veterinary science; or equivalent
Motivation for the study of animal welfare and behaviour
Knowledge of animal sciences, especially pig husbandry
Practical experience with pigs or farm animals would be an asset
Practical experience and knowledge in ethology would be an asset
Computer skills would be an asset
Basic knowledge of French would be an asset
Valid driver’s licence

For information, please contact:

Nicolas DEVILLERS
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Dairy and Swine R&D Centre
2000 College St., PO Box 90
Sherbrooke, QC, J1M 1Z3, Canada
Nicolas.Devilers@agr.gc.ca
(+1) 819 565 9171 ext. 223
(+1) 819 564 5507

OR

Renée BERGERON
University of Guelph
Alfred Campus
31, rue Saint-Paul
Alfred, ON, K0B 1A0, Canada
rbergeron@alfredc.uoguelph.ca
(+1) 613 679-2218 ext. 301
(+1) 613 679-2415

MASTER’S PROJECT IN ANIMAL SCIENCE

Fall 2010 – Fall 2012
PIG BEHAVIOUR AND WELFARE

Duration: 2 years starting September 2010

Subject: Study of lameness in gestating sows

Description:
The goal of this project is to develop force plates to measure weight distribution of sows on their limbs in relation with the degree of lameness and to compare this method to already developed tools (visual scoring, kinematics, posture and stepping measurements with accelerometers). This project is part of a larger research program on the impact of housing on longevity of gestation sows conducted across Canada.
The project will take place at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Dairy and Swine R&D Centre in Sherbrooke (Québec) in collaboration with the Prairie Swine Centre (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan). The student will be supervised by Nicolas Devillers (research scientist in ethology) and Renée Bergeron (professor in ethology) and will receive a scholarship of 17 500 CAN$ per year. The student will be registered in the Animal Science Master’s program at the University of Guelph (Ontario) or at Laval University (Québec).

Candidate skills:
Bachelor degree in animal science or animal biology; or doctorate in veterinary science; or equivalent
Motivation for the study of animal welfare and behaviour
Knowledge of animal sciences, especially pig husbandry
Practical experience with pigs or farm animals would be an asset
Practical experience and knowledge in ethology would be an asset
Computer skills would be an asset
Basic knowledge of French would be an asset
Valid driver’s licence

For information, please contact:

Nicolas DEVILLERS
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Dairy and Swine R&D Centre
2000 College St., PO Box 90
Sherbrooke, QC, J1M 1Z3, Canada
Nicolas.Devilers@agr.gc.ca
(+1) 819 565 9171 ext. 223
(+1) 819 564 5507

OR

Renée BERGERON
University of Guelph
Alfred Campus
31, rue Saint-Paul
Alfred, ON, K0B 1A0, Canada
rbergeron@alfredc.uoguelph.ca
(+1) 613 679-2218 ext. 301
(+1) 613 679-2415

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

University of Oxford, Department of Zoology, Postdoctoral Research Associate: Tool use in New Caledonian crows.
Grade 7, salary range: 28,983 -- 35,646 GBP p.a..
A three-year postdoctoral position is available, from May 2010 onwards, to work on the ecological and social context of tool use in New Caledonian crows (Corvus moneduloides).
The post is funded as part of a 5-year BBSRC David Phillips Fellowship to Dr Christian Rutz, and will be based at the Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, UK.
The post-holder will be responsible for coordinating and conducting fieldwork in New Caledonia, South Pacific. The research project will chart the ecology and behaviour of wild, free-ranging crows, using detailed field observations, systematic surveys, and novel biologging technologies. In addition, specific hypotheses will be examined in controlled experiments with wild and captive subjects. This is an exceptional opportunity to conduct topical field research on animal tool use and culture in a high-profile study system, and to take a leading role in a prolific and expanding research project.
The successful candidate will have a PhD in behavioural ecology, ecology, evolutionary biology or a related subject, and experience in conducting independent field research, preferably in remote study locations. Proven skills in writing and publishing papers in leading scientific journals are essential. Experience of supervision in a research context, and working as part of a multi-disciplinary team are desirable. Previous field-ornithological experience, or a background in animal-cognition research, are not essential.
Informal inquiries (with CV) should be addressed directly to DR CHRISTIAN RUTZ (EM: christian.rutz@zoo.ox.ac.uk).
Further particulars and application forms are available from (URL: http://www.zoo.ox.ac.uk/jobs) or from the Personnel Office of the Department of Zoology, University of Oxford (Tinbergen Building, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PS, UK; PH: +44(0)
1865 271190; EM: recruit@zoo.ox.ac.uk).
Application forms, together with a CV and contact details of three referees, electronic copies of three publications, and a cover letter explaining how the candidate meets the selection criteria, as outlined in the further particulars, should be sent to the above address quoting reference number AT10013.
The closing date for applications is 7 May 2010. Interviews with short-listed candidates are expected to take place in May.

Research Assistant

Hiring Organization:
Max-Planck-Institute for Evol. Anthropology

Position Description:
For an ongoing long-term project in LuiKotale, Salonga NP, Democratic Republic of Congo we are searching for a research assistant. Candidates will participate in data collection of an ongoing project and will work in a team with other research staff. Field work includes long-distance walking through very difficult terrain, behavioral observations, sample collection, and data management. Information about the field site and research activities at LuiKotale is available at www.eva.mpg.de/primat

Qualifications/Experience:
Essential requirements are (1) field experience, (2) above average physical fitness, (3) above average resistance to social/psychological stress, (4)the capacity to live and work with an international team of students, volunteers and local staff. Practical and technical skills required for orientation and communication in the forest and basic knowledge in French will be helpful. Candidates should have social skills, a strong motivation to take on responsibility, and tolerance to local costumes. Candidates with experience in (a) field research in the francophone Africa and (b) behavioral research on wild animals will be preferred.

Salary/funding:
Salary/funding: 300 Euro/month

Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):

- food (mix of mainly local food and some western food items)
- lodging (in tents) at the field site
- airfare and airport tax for one domestic return flight from Kinshasa to the field site and back
- contribution of up to 800 Euro to an international return flight (reimbursement ONLY AFTER SUCCESSFUL COMPLETITION OF A 9 MONTS TERM OF APPOINTMENT)
- expenses for visa (reimbursement ONLY AFTER SUCCESSFUL COMPLETITION OF A 9 MONTS TERM OF APPOINTMENT)
- please note that expenses during the stay in Kinshasa on the way in/out of Congo can not be covered by the project

Term of Appointment:
9 months staring in July 2010

Application Deadline:
June 15

Contact Information:
Dr. Gottfried Hohmann
Deutscher Platz 6
Leipzig 04103
Germany

Telephone Number:
++49 341 3550 208

Website:
http://www.eva.mpg.de

E-mail Address:
hohmann@eva.mpg.de

Post-doc, tool use in crows, Oxford

Toutes les infos ici

Volunteer Research Assistant

Hiring Organization:

Marni LaFleur, PhD candidate, University of Colorado Boulder

Date Posted:
2010-04-11

Position Description:
I am seeking a volunteer research to help with the collecting data for my dissertation project on feeding ecology of ring-tailed lemurs over a period of about 9 months. My research will be at the Tsimanampetsotsa National Park (TNP) in southwestern Madagascar. TNP is a VERY remote site, where there is no electricity, running water, or phone/internet reception. Living conditions are as rustic as it gets- we will be camping, but there aren’t actually any camping facilities.

Working conditions will consist of 10-12 hour days collecting focal animal data, plant samples, and lemur fecal samples. We will collect data 5 days per week, process samples one day per week, and have one day off to relax, maintain camp, wash clothes, etc.

TNP is a dry forest, but it can get very hot (50 degrees celcius!) during the day and quite cold at night (4 degrees celcius). This work will be difficult, but an amazing experience, and lots of fun for the right person.

Qualifications/Experience:
Animals are not collared so an ability to recognize animals based on facial features and other distinguishing characteristics is essential.
Also, ability to indentify (or learn to identify) plant species is necessary. French language skills are desirable.

The successful applicant should have the following qualifications:
1) A strong background/interest in animal behavior
2) Experience working outdoors
3) LOTS of patients and ability to roll with the ups and downs of international travel and research
4) Ability to cohabit with large spiders, scorpions, giant cockroaches, mosquitoes, sweat bees, snakes, and all other varieties of creepy crawlers.
5) Ability to subsist on rice and beans with little else (there is "little else" available in southern Madagascar)
6) Be in reasonably good physical condition

Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
Camping fees and very basic field food will be paid for. International travel, visas, medications, medical insurance, and any required items other items will have to be self-funded. I am continuing to apply for grant monies, so it is possible that further funding may become available.

Term of Appointment:
August 2010- April 2011

Application Deadline:
until filled

Comments:
Please send a cover letter, CV, and the names of two referees.

Contact Information:
Marni LaFleur
233 UCB
Boulder, CO 80303
USA

E-mail Address:
marni.lafleur@colorado.edu

Volunteer research assistant: Ecology and social behavior of howling monkeys in Palenque, Mexico.

Hiring Organization:
Primate Lab, Field Research Station Los Tuxtlas, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM)

Date Posted:
2010-04-12

Position Description:
We are looking for volunteers to assist in projects studying the social system and ecology of black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra) at Palenque National Park, Mexico. Volunteers will assist in three simultaneously running projects:
(1) Social and genetic factors mediating individual participation in naturally occurring howling bouts and group defense in black howler monkeys (by Dr. S. Van Belle)
(2) Seed dispersal by black howler monkeys and dung beetles and tropical rainforest regeneration in Palenque (by Dr. A. Estrada and David Munoz, PhD student)
(3) Social and hormonal factors underlying male-male interactions in black howler groups in either continuous or fragmented forests (by Dr. A. Estrada and Chiara Castiglioni, Master’s student)

You will assist in all three projects on a rotating basis and training will be provided. Specific tasks you will participate in:
1.Collecting of behavioral observations and scan samples on howling monkey groups in Palenque National Park and in groups in forest fragments in a landscape adjacent to the national park.
2.Daily collection of fecal samples from howler monkey to rescue seeds being dispersed, for hormonal analyses, or DNA extraction.
3.GPS recording of ranging patterns of the howler monkey groups under observations.
4.Collection of dung beetles attracted to howler monkey dung using baited pitfall traps.
5.Germination experiments for seeds dispersed by the howler monkeys and for control seeds (collected from fresh fruits)
6.Seed predation experiments on seeds dispersed by howler monkeys using camera-traps
7.Vegetation data collection: census of vegetation at the study sites – to be done only once
8.Data entering in computer databases
9.Resting periods: resting days will be scheduled regularly as part of the field work program.

Qualifications/Experience:
The qualifications we are looking for in a research assistant are:
-Be physically fit, and capable of undertaking fieldwork in hot/humid conditions.
-Be capable of team work and not have issues with authority figures.
-Have a background in biology/anthropology/zoology/psychology or a related field.
-Be interested in primate behavior, ecology, conservation.
-Be hardworking, disciplined in following field procedures and be reliable.
-Some knowledge of animal behavior and data collection preferred but not required.
-Enjoy being outdoors and experiencing the tropical rainforest.
-Enjoy being in the culture of southeast Mexico

Salary/funding:
No salary will be provided.

Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
Assistants will be responsible for airfare/transportation to and from Palenque town and for food costs. Lodging will be provided by the field project in a comfortable fully equipped house (electricity, hot water, high speed internet, bunk beds, two bathrooms with showers, a large living room kitchen area) about 2 km from Palenque National Park. The town of Palenque is only 2 km away where banking, telephone services, hospitals, supermarkets, drugstores and others are available.

Term of Appointment:
4 - 12 months or more starting August 2010

Application Deadline:
none

Comments:
To apply, please email a recent copy of your CV and describe your research interests and experience, and your availability for this position.

Note on contingencies: Volunteers should be covered by medical insurance when traveling to Mexico. They will need to sign a releasing liability form upon joining the research team in Palenque.

Contact Information:
Dr. Alejandro Estrada
Field Research Station Los Tuxtlas-UNAM, Mexico
aestrada@primatesmx.com

or

Dr. Sarie Van Belle
Dept. of Anthropology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, USA
sarievanbelle@primatesmx.com

Contact Information:
Sarie Van Belle
Mexico

Website:
http://www.primatesmx.com

E-mail Address:
sarievanbelle@primatesmx.com

Sujet de thèse : régulation phéromonale du système kisspeptine

Directeur de thèse : Matthieu Keller, CR2 CNRS, HDR

Laboratoire de Physiologie de la Reproduction & des Comportements, UMR 6175 INRA/CNRS/Université de Tours, Nouzilly


Le sujet de thèse (fin 2010-fin 2013) porte sur l’effet des stimulations phéromonales sur le système à Kisspeptine en utilisant l’accélération de puberté femelle comme modèle (effet « vandenbergh »). En effet, chez de nombreuses espèces, les signaux olfactifs permettent de moduler de manière importante la fonction de reproduction (apparition de la puberté, contrôle de l’ovulation…). En particulier, chez la souris, l’exposition de femelles prépubères à des odeurs de mâles induit une apparition pubertaire plus précoce. Dans ce cadre, une population neuronale particulière, les neurones à Kisspeptine, est apparue comme un régulateur important de la fonction de reproduction. Ainsi l’objectif de cette thèse sera de comprendre si et comment les phéromones peuvent interagir avec les neurones à Kisspeptine pour accélérer l’apparition de la puberté chez la souris femelle.

Le programme de thèse reposera sur l’utilisation de différentes approches : comportement, chirurgie stéréotaxique, immunocytochimie, microscopie confocale, analyse d’image…

Profil du candidat : M2 en neuroendocrinologie du comportement/biologie de la reproduction ou plus généralement en neuroendocrinologie/neurosciences. Des connaissances dans le domaine de l’olfaction seront appréciées ainsi que la maîtrise de certaines des approches techniques envisagées. Forte motivation nécessaire.

Les candidats intéressés peuvent prendre contact avec Matthieu Keller par e-mail : mkeller@tours.inra.fr

[expeirence] prise des décisionsà l'interface, Paris, fin : 20 avr. 2010

Dans le cadre des études sur la prise de décision à l'interface des sciences cognitives et sociales menées par le CNRS, nous recherchons des sujets hommes, âgée entre 20 et 40 ans, de langue maternelle française, qui n'ont pas d'antécédents neurologiques ou psychiatriques, pour participer à des expériences sur ordinateur.

La participation sera rémunérée en fonction de la disponibilité de votre temps.

Si vous êtes intéressé, merci d'envoyer un mail à chiara.chelini [ à ] gmail.com en indiquant vos coordonnées (nom, prénom et numéro de portable) et vos disponibilités pendant la journée.

Nous vous contacterons pour proposer un rendez-vous.

Merci beaucoup pour votre intérêt.

--
Chiara Chelini

Postdoctoral Fellow
Institut Jean Nicod
(CNRS-ENS-EHESS)

[expérience] Recherche photos visages, fin : 30 juin 2010

Dans le cadre d'un projet de recherche ANR (ANR Family’Air) ayant pour objectif d'étudier les traits familiaux, nous sommes à la recherche de photos de parents et d'enfants.

Nous venons de montrer que nous sommes capables d'associer sur la base des visages plusieurs membres de la famille, comme par exemple les grands-parents à leurs petits enfants et dans une mesure moindre deux cousins (Kaminski et /al/. 2009, Proc. R. Soc. B) ; ainsi qu’un nouveau-né avec l’un de ses parents (Kaminski et /al./ in presss, Perception).

L'objectif de notre prochaine étude est de voir si la ressemblance parent-enfant dépend de l'âge du parent : nous recherchons plus particulièrement des photos d'un enfant (peu importe son âge sur la ou les photos) et plusieurs photos de ses parents à des âges variés : 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 ans.

Si vous êtes intéressé pour nous aider, nous pouvons soit venir scanner les photos sur votre lieu de travail (région Grenobloise), soit vous pouvez nous les envoyer à l'adresse : visages [ à ] upmf-grenoble.fr mailto:visages [ à ] upmf-grenoble.fr


Toutes les informations que vous nous fournirez seront utilisées uniquement à des fins de recherche et toutes les photos seront anonymes.

Merci de votre aide,

Cordialement

Gwenaël Kaminski (Post-doctorant) gwenael.kaminski [ à ] upmf-grenoble.fr
Edouard Gentaz (DR2) edouard.gentaz [ à ] upmf-grenoble.fr

Proposition de stage en éthologie des primates à la Station de Primatologie du CNRS UPS 846 de Rousset sur Arc

Thèmes
a. Enrichissement du milieu chez le babouin olive (Papio anubis) et le macaque rhésus (Macaca mulatta)
b. Détermination de la hiérarchie de dominance dans des groupes de babouins olive (Papio anubis) et/ou de macaques rhésus (Macaca mulatta)

Encadrement
Hélène Meunier, Station de Primatologie du CNRS UPS 846

Durée
Au moins un mois, entre le 1er mai et le 15 aout 2010

Lieu
CNRS Station de Primatologie - 13790 Rousset, France

Description
Le stage consiste à participer à l'enrichissement du milieu d'animaux élevés dans différentes conditions de captivité (mise en place des dispositifs, suivi comportemental des animaux) et/ou à déterminer la hiérarchie de dominance dans différents groupes de primates non humains, des babouins olive et/ou des macaques rhésus. Les animaux étudiés sont élevés en groupes sociaux, à la station de Primatologie de Rousset.

Profil requis
Avoir une formation de niveau bac + 2 minimum en biologie ou psychologie. Etre observateur, rigoureux, très motivé et apprécier le contact avec les animaux.

Conditions de travail
Temps plein, du lundi au vendredi. Indemnité mensuelle nulle.

Contact
Envoyer CV et lettre de motivation par courrier électronique à :
Hélène Meunier
email: meunier.h@gmail.com
tél: +33(0)6 42 42 15 23

Proposition de stage en éthologie des primates à l'Université de Provence, Rousset.

Thème
Quantification de la préférence manuelle pour la manipulation d’objets et la communication gestuelle chez le babouin olive (Papio anubis) et le macaque rhésus (Macaca mulatta)

Encadrement
Hélène Meunier & Jacques Vauclair, Université de Provence

Durée
Au moins un mois, entre le 1er mai et le 15 aout 2010

Lieu
CNRS Station de Primatologie - 13790 Rousset, France

Description
Le stage consiste à participer à un travail de recherche en éthologie, portant sur les préférences manuelles chez deux espèces de primates non humains, le babouin olive et le macaque rhésus. Les animaux étudiés sont élevés en groupes sociaux, à la station de Primatologie de Rousset. Le rôle du stagiaire sera de participer à la sélection des animaux, à la préparation du matériel expérimental et aux tests comportementaux.

Profil requis
Avoir une formation de niveau bac + 2 minimum en biologie ou psychologie. Etre observateur, rigoureux, et apprécier le contact avec les animaux.

Conditions de travail
Temps plein, du lundi au vendredi. Indemnité mensuelle nulle.

Contact
Envoyer CV et lettre de motivation par courrier électronique à :
Hélène Meunier
email: meunier.h@gmail.com
tél: +33(0)6 42 42 15 23

Volunteer field assistant: Social strategies of male mantled howlers in Costa Rica

Hiring Organization:
Lisa Corewyn, Ph.D. Candidate, UTSA

Date Posted:
2010-03-30

Position Description:
I am seeking a volunteer field assistant to join my PhD project investigating social strategies of male mantled howlers at La Pacifica, Costa Rica. The work involves full-days (10-12 hours) in the forest using focal animal and scan sampling to collect behavioral data on coresident adult males in two study groups, as well as regular collection of fecal samples for later DNA analyses. The rotational work schedule will generally consist of 4 full days working in the forest, and then one day off. Periodic clearing of trails may also be required. The position may also require participation in a 3-week survey planned for August to determine population demographics. Study monkeys at this site are marked with colored tags for individual identification, and this may require field assistant participation in the capture and marking program conducted in July. This would be an ideal opportunity to gain field experience for someone planning to pursue a graduate degree in anthropology, biology, animal behavior, or ecology.

Field conditions are rather nice and consist of accommodation in a rented house with full amenities, including refrigerator, hot showers, electricity, telephone, and dialup internet. The forest at the field site consists of fragments of dry tropical forest within a 3300 hectare working cattle ranch. The forest is mostly flat, and experiences a distinctive dry season from January-July, and a wet season from July-December. Temperatures are generally hot and conditions tropical. Thus, the successful applicant must be able to work in a variety of demanding field conditions, including extreme heat and heavy rain.

Qualifications/Experience:
Previous field experience collecting behavioral data is preferred, but is not essential. A working knowledge of Spanish is also very helpful. Ideally, the successful applicant should have the following qualifications:

1) a strong interest in field primatology
2) some experience in the outdoors, and/or working with animals
3) the ability to work for long hours without supervision
4) not be afraid of mosquitoes, bugs, snakes, or scorpions
5) be comfortable spending extended periods of time away from family and friends
6) be in reasonably good physical condition
7) maturity, reliability, flexibility, and good humor are a must

Salary/funding:
No salary is available at this time, but accommodation, utilities, and visa fees will be provided. The successful applicant will be responsible for their airfare to/from Liberia, Costa Rica (variable), for the cost of food and other living expenses (expected to cost $200-300 per month), travel/medical insurance, required vaccinations, and other personal expenses.

Term of Appointment:
Early May 2010 through early December 2010

Application Deadline:
Applications will be considered until the position is filled.

Comments:
Please send a C.V., at least 2 academic or professional references, and a statement outlining your interest in this position to the email address listed.

Contact Information:
Lisa Corewyn
Department of Anthropology, One UTSA Circle
San Antonio, TX 78240
USA

Telephone Number:
830-714-4207 (in Texas) or (country code 506) 2669-6093 (in Costa Rica)

E-mail Address:
lisa.corewyn@utsa.edu

Projet de thèse de doctorat de Biologie, mention Biologie du comportement

Proposition de thèse au laboratoire d’éthologie expérimentale et comparée de l’université Paris 13, France.

Projet de thèse en éthologie: Vieillissement et relations sociales: conséquences du vieillissement sur les comportements sociaux d’une espèce monogame, la souris glaneuse.
Les candidats devront être titulaire d’un master dans un champ disciplinaire approprié et faire prevue d’une forte motivation pour l’éthologie.
Documents à fournir: CV, liste éventuelle de publications, court résumé de vos travaux actuels, lettre de motivation, coordonnées de 2 referees.
Les demandes de compléments d’information et les candidatures sont à transmettre électroniquement à Christophe Féron : cferon@leec.univ-paris13.fr
Date limite de candidature: 30 Avril 2010.

VIEILLISSEMENT ET RELATIONS SOCIALES: CONSEQUENCES DU VIEILLISSEMENT SUR LES COMPORTEMENTS SOCIAUX D’UNE ESPECE MONOGAME, LA SOURIS GLANEUSE.

Projet de thèse de doctorat de Biologie, mention Biologie du comportement
- École Doctorale Université Paris 13: Sciences, Technologie, Santé (Galilée), dir. Prof. V. Lorent
- Directeur de thèse : Christophe Féron, MCF HDR, LEEC

Les comportements sociaux constituent un thème fédérateur et identificateur du laboratoire d’éthologie expérimentale et comparée de l’université Paris13. Ces comportements y sont abordés de manière très diverses et au travers de multiples modèles. Ce projet de thèse s’inscrit dans cette thématique sociale en y associant le facteur vieillissement.

Les études portant sur les conséquences comportementales du vieillissement des mammifères sont largement présentes dans bibliographie (i.e. Akers et al. 2008; Austad, 1997; Walf & Frye, 2010), toutefois celles-ci sont généralement abordées au travers de tests comportementaux standardisés (elevated plus-maze, tests de réaction à la nouveauté, water maze). Si la méthodologie employée présente l’intérêt d’une transposition aisée en fonction du modèle animal utilisé et d’un background scientifique important qui permet à la communauté de spécialistes du secteur disciplinaire d’avoir une vision comparative des résultats obtenus, elle présente néanmoins certaines limites. Parmi celles-ci, a) les situations expérimentales sont très éloignées des situations réelles telles que celles que peuvent rencontrer les animaux dans leurs conditions naturelles.

Les réponses comportementales observées sont par conséquent souvent difficiles à interpréter d’un point de vue adaptatif ; b) bien que les animaux testés soient généralement des espèces sociales (souris, rats…), les conséquences sociales du vieillissement ne sont que très rarement étudiées ; c) les critères retenus pour définir qu’un animal est âgé ne sont que très rarement justifiés par des éléments relatifs à la durée de vie de ces animaux dans des conditions naturelles.
Les études envisagées dans le cadre de cette thèse ambitionnent de surmonter ces limites.

Le modèle animal proposé est la souris glaneuse Mus spicilegus. Dans leur milieu naturel (plaines d’Europe Centrale et d’Europe de l’Est) ces animaux ne vivent pas plus d’une dizaine de mois (Milishnikov et al. 1998). Elevés en laboratoire par contre, ils peuvent être maintenus en vie durant plus de 4 ans. Les souris glaneuses de plus d’un an peuvent donc être considérées comme anormalement vieilles, car vivant bien au delà de ce qu’elles vivent dans leur milieu naturel. La sélection naturelle n’opérant pas sur des animaux de plus d’un an, les traits comportementaux caractéristiques de ces « vieux » animaux ne seraient donc que la résultante d’un vieillissement physiologique et ne peuvent correspondre à une adaptation de la biologie de ces individus âgés aux pressions de la sélection naturelle.

En outre, contrairement à la plupart des mammifères, cette espèce est monogame (Baudoin et al. 2005; Féron & Gouat, 2007; Gouat & Féron, 2005; Gouat et al. 2003, Poteaux et al 2008), et sa reproduction étant particulièrement sensible aux facteurs sociaux (Féron & Gheusi 2003; Gouat et al. 2003b; Gouat & Féron, 2005; Busquet et al. 2009), elle ouvre une large perspective d’études des effets de l’âge sur ces phénomènes.

Deux principaux champs d’investigation sont prévus :
1) Conséquences sociales du vieillissement : profil social des individus, conséquences du vieillissement sur le lien social et la monogamie, conséquences d’une survie hypothétique des individus au-delà d’un an en termes de compétition avec les individus de l’année.
2) Interaction « expérience précoce - vieillissement » : étude de facteurs ontogénétiques affectant les profils comportementaux des individus âgés.


Akers KG, Yang Z, DelVecchio DP, Reeb BC, Romeo RD, McEwen BS, Tang AC. (2008) Social Competitiveness and Plasticity of Neuroendocrine
Function in Old Age: Influence of Neonatal Novelty Exposure and Maternal Care Reliability. PLOS ONE 3(7) e2840.
Austad SN. (1997). Issues in the choice of genetic configuration for animal aging models. Experimental Gerontology. 32: 55-63.
Baudoin C., Busquet N., Dobson F.S., Gheusi G., Féron C., Durand J.L., Heth G., Patris B., Todrank J. (2005). Male-female associations and female
olfactory neurogenesis with pair bonding in Mus spicilegus. Biol. J. Linn. Soc. 84:323-334
Busquet, N., Leveillé Nizerole, C. & Féron, C. 2009. What triggers reproductive life? Effects of adolescent cohabitation, social novelty and
aggression in a monogamous mouse. Ethology, 115, 87-95.
Féron C., Gouat P. (2007) Paternal care in the mound-building mouse reduces inter-litter intervals. Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 19(3):425-9
Gouat, P., Féron, C. (2005) Deficit in reproduction in polygynously mated females of the monogamous mound-building mouse Mus spicilegus.
Reprod Fertil Dev.17(6):617-23.
Gouat, P., Katona, K., and Poteaux, C. 2003a. Is the socio-spatial distribution of mound-building mice, Mus spicilegus, compatible with a
monogamous mating system? Mammalia, 67,15-24.
Gouat, P., Féron, C. & Demouron, S. 2003b. Seasonal reproduction and delayed sexual maturity in mound-building mice Mus spicilegus.
Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 15, 187-195.
Milishnikov A.N., Rafiev A.N., Muntianu A.I. (1998) Genotypic variability in populations of mound builder mice Mus spicilegus Pet., 1882, at
different life-cycle stages. Russ. J. Genetics 34:785-90.
Poteaux, C., Busquet, N., Gouat, P., Katona, K. & Baudoin, C. 2008. Socio-genetic structure of mound-building mice, Mus spicilegus, in autumn and
early spring. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 93, 689-699.
Walf, A.A. Frye C.A. (2010) Estradiol reduces anxiety- and depression-like behavior of aged female mice. Physiol. Behav. 99 : 169-174.

Latéralité sociale: approche comparative chez l’homme et chez les primates non-humains

Un sujet de thèse portant sur la latéralité sociale est proposé dans le cadre de l'école doctorale de l'université de Rennes1.

La latéralité sociale est au cœur de deux théories très actuelles portant (1) sur l’évolution de la latéralité au niveau populationnel et (2) sur l’évolution du langage. Des travaux récents suggèrent que la latéralisation cérébrale est plus ancienne que prévue et a pu évoluer dans un premier temps pour les processus perceptuels, comme la vision. La latéralité visuelle, à travers la latéralité sociale, est actuellement considérée comme la clef des asymétries comportementales au niveau de la population (Vallortigara et Rogers 2005). De plus, la latéralité sociale et plus précisément la latéralité des gestes communicatifs chez les grands singes, est également mise en avant pour expliquer l’évolution du langage (Corballis 2002). Cette thèse bénéficiera d'un soutient financier de l'ANR (2009-2012: "Latéralité manuelle chez l'enfant et le primate pour les manipulations d'objets et la communication gestuelle").
Ce travail comprendra 2 parties complémentaires. Dans un premier temps, des gestes communicatifs seront recherchés chez les primates non-humains, plus particulièrement chez les cercocèbes. Nous testerons l’hypothèse émis par Corballis (2002) selon laquelle l’origine du langage est à rechercher dans la communication gestuelle. Après avoir vérifié que la latéralité perceptuelle est plus marquée la latéralité motrice, nous nous intéresserons au rôle joué par la socialité sur la latéralité au niveau populationnel. En nous basant sur l’étude de différentes formes de latéralité (motrice et/ou perceptuelle dont la latéralité sociale) chez des espèces de primates humains et non-humains de différents niveaux de socialité, nous testerons si ce facteur social est le facteur clef de la lateralité au niveau populationnel.

Personne à contacter pour plus de renseignement : Catherine Blois-Heulin : catherine.blois-heulin@univ-rennes1.fr


Cordialement
C. Blois-Heulin
UMR 6552
Station Biologique
35380 Paimpont

http://www.ethos.univ-rennes1.fr/

Integrative ecology, psychology and neurobiology within a food-hoarding paradigm

Integrative ecology, psychology and neurobiology within a food-hoarding paradigm, compiled and edited by Tom Smulders and Vladimir Pravosudov is now available online.

A number of animal species collect and store food for later consumption. Many of these species hide individual food items in different locations, a behaviour called "scatter hoarding". The study
of these species has, over the past 30 years, provided new insights into a range of scientific disciplines: from the study of plant dispersal to the study of how and why the brain generates new nerve cells in adulthood.

In Integrative ecology, psychology and neurobiology within a food-hoarding paradigm, a special issue of Philosophical Transactions B, world experts in the field summarize the contributions made to science by the study of food-hoarding behaviour.

More details and all articles can be found at:
http://rstb.royalsocietypublishing.org/site/2010/food_hoarding.xhtml