A 3-year PhD position is available at the University of Tuebingen in the Animal Evolutionary Ecology group. For the last 6 years, this group has been examining the functions, evolution, and proximate mechanisms surrounding newly-described, natural, red fluorescent coloration in reef fish. This specific project will be supervised jointly by Dr. Michiels and Dr. Melissa Meadows. Its aim is to test the exciting possibility that red fluorescent emission facilitates prey detection. This hypothesis will be assessed in a setup with 40 aquaria, each with an experimentally controlled light environment. Foraging efficiency will be evaluated under light conditions that enhance or suppress the effectiveness of fluorescent emission as a detection mechanism.
The selected student will have the opportunity to use state-of-the-art spectrometry, photography, computer-programmed lighting, and extensive aquarium equipment and to work in an international environment at one of Germanys Universities of Excellence. The student will be encouraged to develop similar lines of inquiry related to the main project, and will be expected to produce manuscripts for publication in top scientific journals. We seek a highly-motivated candidate with a MSc or 4-year BSc in Biology and previous research experience, preferably in animal behavior, animal coloration or visual ecology. We use English as our working language, and the project will be supervised in part by an American postdoc. Therefore, English language skills are required, and German proficiency is not necessary within the scope of the scientific working environment. The pay scale classification refers to the German federal public service scale 13 TV-L 65%. Disabled candidates will be given preference over other equally qualified applicants. The University seeks to raise the number of women in research and teaching and therefore urges qualified women to apply. Questions about the position may be emailed to [email protected]. Please send a single PDF to [email protected] including a motivation letter as well as a full CV plus two letters of reference. Closing date for application is 15 September 2013. Prof. Dr. N. Michiels, University of Tübingen, Faculty of Science, Institute of Evolution and Ecology, Animal Evolutionary Ecology, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
