Environmental effects on extra-pair mating in birds *PhD studentship based in Taiwan 2025-2029*
*About the Project:* Extra-pair mating, where individuals mate outside their pair bonds, is widespread in birds, with more than 75% of socially monogamous species engaging in the behaviour. While it increases male reproductive success (Dunning et al., 2024), females may experience reduced paternal care (Schroeder et al., 2016), and the benefits, such as good genes and genetic compatibility, are not conclusively proven (Hsu et al., 2014; Hsu et al., 2015). Our recent theoretical modelling supports the context-dependent paternity effects (Yeh & Hsu, under review), where offspring have higher fitness in specific scenarios. However, further empirical research in wild populations is essential. *Research Objectives* This PhD project aims to understand how various environmental factors influence extra-pair mating. It will explore the biotic factors, including within-species effects and the interaction with other species (e.g. predation risk), as well as abiotic factors, such as bioclimatic effects. The long-term study dataset will provide this project with an ideal opportunity to explore various environmental effects and their interactions with extra-pair mating. *Methodology* Fieldwork will be taken on an offshore UK island where a wild population of house sparrows has been monitored for over twenty years. Activities will involve nest searching, banding, and social interaction observations. The PhD will analyse data using advanced statistical models to explore how environmental conditions impact mating behaviour. *Candidate Profile* This PhD project will be based at the Department of Life Sciences, National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), Taiwan. Applicants must be able to undertake fieldwork in the UK as part of a joint project. Applicants should review the minimum entry requirements for the NCKU 2025 Fall Admission <https://oia.ncku.edu.tw/var/file/32/1032/img/922047122.pdf>. Ideal candidates are motivated, independent, and interested in evolution and field biology. Experience with fieldwork and statistical analysis is essential. *Funding* This PhD project will be funded by various sources. A successful candidate awarded the competitive Veritas et Conscientia Scholarship from NCKU for the first year will be guaranteed NT$360,000/yr (the basic living expense for taxpayers in Taiwan in 2023 is NT$202,000), supported by both the NCKU scholarship and the supervisor’s research grant for the first three years. >From the 4th year onwards, we will support the PhD candidate in applying for the competitive scholarship from NCKU, as well as from various resources. *How to apply* To apply, please send your CV, the name of two referees, a concise statement of your research interests, and the transcripts of your BSc and MSc as a single PDF file to Dr Yu-Hsun Hsu (yuhsun...@ncku.edu.tw). All documents should be in English. The deadline for application is *30th November* 2024. An online interview will be held soon after that. After the interviews, the successful candidate must go through the official application process for NCKU 2025 Fall Admission (the application platform will be open in January 2025). For more information concerning this position, please contact Dr Yu-Hsun Hsu (yuhsun...@ncku.edu.tw). Application Information for NCKU: NCKU 2025 Fall Admission and application instructions <https://oia.ncku.edu.tw/var/file/32/1032/img/922047122.pdf> *Related Information* Dr Yu-Hsun Hsu <https://sites.google.com/site/yuhsunhsu/> *Related publication* Yeh, J. D. & Y.-H. Hsu. Extra-pair mating may evolve under changing environments. *Under review* Hsu, Y.-H. 2022. Consequences of infidelity in non-human animals *in* T. Shackelford, and T. DeLecce, eds. The Oxford Handbook of Infidelity. Oxford University Press. Hsu, Y.-H., M. J. P. Simons, J. Schroeder, A. Girndt, I. Winney, T. Burke, and S. Nakagawa. 2017. Age-dependent trajectories differ between within-pair and extra-pair paternity success. Journal of Evolutinary Biology 30:951-959. Hsu, Y.-H., J. Schroeder, I. Winney, T. Burke, and S. Nakagawa. 2015. Are extra-pair males different from cuckolded males? A case study and a meta-analytic examination. Molecular Ecology 24:1558-1571. Hsu, Y.-H., J. Schroeder, I. Winney, T. Burke, and S. Nakagawa. 2014. Costly infidelity: Low lifetime fitness of extra-pair offspring in a passerine bird. Evolution 68:2873-2884. *Related collaboration* Dunning, J., A. Sanchez-Tójar, A. Girndt, T. Burke, Y.-H. Hsu, S. Nakagawa, I. Winney, and J. Schroeder. 2024. Extrapair paternity alongside social reproduction increases male lifetime fitness. Animal Behaviour 213:117-123. Schroeder, J., Y.-H. Hsu, I. Winney, M. J. P. Simons, S. Nakagawa, and T. Burke. 2016. Predictably philandering females prompt poor paternal provisioning. American Naturalist 188:219-230. Department of Life Sciences in NCKU <https://www.bio.ncku.edu.tw/> Office of International Affairs in NCKU <https://oia.ncku.edu.tw/p/404-1032-229816.php?Lang=en> To unsubscribe from this list please go to https://community.esa.org/confirm/?u=RhPWqPxFwODKvbkiT32nkIqRrsiSgulp
