PhD position in behavioral ecology at the Georg-August University Göttingen, Germany

The Anthropology/Sociobiology department at the Georg-August University Göttingen in collaboration with the Behavioral Ecology Unit, German Primate Center, Germany (http://www.soziobio.uni-goettingen.de/) is offering a PhD position for 3 years in a DFG-funded project starting on 1 November 2014 (payment: 65% E13 TV-L).

We seek a highly motivated Ph.D. student who will work on the link between sociality and health in wild primates. The project focuses on the interplay between social relationships, physiological stress and health in redfronted lemurs (Eulemur rufifrons). Field work will be conducted at the field station of the German Primate Center in Kirindy Forest, Western Madagascar (http://www.dpz.eu/en/unit/sociobiology-homepage/study-sites/madagascar.html). The methods to be employed include behavioral observations, endocrinological as well as immunological assays, and parasitological analyses.

Applicants must have a MSc degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field. Further job requirements include field experience (preferably in the tropics), the ability to work independently as well as basic French skills. Good quantitative, analytical, and English skills are also essential. Familiarity with observation techniques, ELISA, and parasitological analyses are highly desirable.

This project is part of a new research unit (FOR 2136-1) funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) entitled “Sociality and Health in Primates”. PIs from Göttingen, Berlin and Leipzig will combine their knowledge and skills to take up a novel collaborative research project on this topic. Successful candidates will be integrated into established PhD programs and will benefit from the family service of the University of Göttingen and the DPZ’s certification (“Beruf und Familie”) for issues relating to career planning, mentoring, coaching, child care and work life balance.

The University of Göttingen is an equal opportunities employer and places particular emphasis on fostering career opportunities for women. Qualified women are therefore strongly encouraged to apply. Disabled persons with equivalent aptitude will be favoured.

Candidates should submit their application by e-mail as a pdf containing a cover letter, CV and the contact information of two referees.

Applications received until 22 August, 2014 will be fully considered, but the position remains open until a suitable candidate has been identified. Informal inquiries are welcome and should be made to Dr. Cornelia Kraus ( Tato emailová adresa je chráněna před spamboty, abyste ji viděli, povolte JavaScript until August 15) or to Dr. Claudia Fichtel ( Tato emailová adresa je chráněna před spamboty, abyste ji viděli, povolte JavaScript until August 22).

Please send applications to:

Dr. Cornelia Kraus

Department of Sociobiology/Anthropology

Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach-Institute for Zoology and Anthropology

Georg-August University of Göttingen

Kellnerweg 6

D-37077 Göttingen

Germany

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