PhD Position in Behavioural Ecology: We are excited to announce a fully funded PhD student position for a 4-year research project in behavioural ecology, titled “Foraging in the Landscape of Peril.” The successful candidate will join the international team at the Department of Game Management and Wildlife Biology, Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, Czech Republic, under the supervision of Associate Prof. Tomasz Podgórski.
Fully Funded PhD Position in Behavioural Ecology – “Foraging in the Landscape of Peril”
Summary Table:
| Duration | 4 years |
|---|---|
| Location | Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague |
| Supervisor | Assoc. Prof. Tomasz Podgórski |
| Research Topic | Pathogens and Predators in Foraging |
Study Area: The study will focus on understanding the trade-offs associated with anti-pathogen and anti-predator behaviors, exploring the intersection of behavioural, sensory, and fear ecologies.
Scholarship Description: The project involves three main elements, allowing flexibility in the overall contribution of each to the PhD:
- Testing and evaluating avoidance/aversion responses to olfactory cues of predator/pathogen in boar and deer in controlled wildlife enclosures in the Czech Republic.
- Trade-off experiments involving exposure to cues of predation and infection risk in natural feeding sites for wild boar and red deer.
- Analysis of bio-logged behavioural data from wild populations using pre-processed data from wild boar and red deer.
The work will include intensive fieldwork, video-analysis, and computational analysis of bio-logging and GPS-telemetry data, aiming to produce three high-quality peer-reviewed papers.
Eligibility: Prospective candidates should possess a Master’s degree in zoology, ecology, biology, forestry, or a related field. Proficiency in English, ecological statistics, and experience with R is essential. Fieldwork experience with wild or captive animals, quantitative skills in movement or bio-logging data, and a valid EU driving license are desired.
Required Documents: To apply, submit the following documents in a single PDF (less than 10 MB) to podgorski@fld.czu.cz:
- Motivation Letter (1 page): Describe your experience, research interests, and how you fit the project.
- CV: Include educational background, publications, and relevant experiences.
- 2 Academic Letters of Recommendation: From former supervisors or collaborators.
How to Apply: Follow the application instructions above and email the required documents to podgorski@fld.czu.cz.
Last Date: Application deadline is the 23rd of February 2024. Selected candidates will be contacted after this date.
We look forward to welcoming a passionate and dedicated researcher to contribute to this exciting project at the intersection of behavioural ecology and wildlife management. Apply now and be part of our dynamic international research team!
