Post-doc position behavioural ecology in a changing and urbanizing world

Let’s shape the future - University of Antwerp

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The Faculty of Sciences of the University of Antwerp is looking for a full-time post-doc researcher to study behaviour and behavioural responses in a changing and urbanizing world. The research will be executed at the Behavioural Ecology & Ecophysiology research group of the University of Antwerp (BECO, UA), which is a highly dynamic research group with a strong thematic focus on animal behaviour, considering all four major aspects: causation, development, function and evolution. Our research combines behavioural, evolutionary and ecological approaches involving longitudinal and experimental field studies as well as controlled experiments performed under laboratory conditions. An important research line focusses on studying how birds respond to urbanization, including anthropogenic stressors such as light, noise and chemical pollution. There is an urgent need to examine further how animals respond to changing environmental conditions, and how this influences fitness and population viability.

Position

• to gather accurate and repeated measures on (a variety of) behavioural and/or cognitive traits (e.g. birdsong, exploration behaviour, personality, (social) learning, social and spatial cognition etc…) in free-living birds.
• to quantify anthropogenic stressors (noise, light, and chemical pollution; urbanization etc…).
• to examine how animals respond to changed/changing conditions and how this affects fitness and population viability.
• to carry out related field and/or laboratory experiments.
• to apply for a postdoctoral fellowship at the FWO post-doc call of December 2024 (see below).

Profile

• You hold a PhD in biology, environmental sciences, or a related area, and you should be eligible to apply for a Junior or Senior FWO postdoctoral fellowship.
• You have experience with behavioural ecological and/or ecotoxicological research, and experience or interest in studying cognition in birds.
• You have experience in statistical analyses.
• You possess excellent English communication skills, both written and oral.
• You are available to work full time, with high motivation and you have good planning, communication, and organizational skills.
• You are able to work effectively both independently and in team, as part of a multidisciplinary, international, and multicultural team; you can manage conflicting demands and meet deadlines.
• You commit, upon acceptance of the position, to apply for a postdoctoral fellowship at a subsequent FWO post-doc call (Dec 2024), with the University of Antwerp as host institution.

What we offer

• Scientific development opportunities in an international cooperative, interdisciplinary research environment and an excellent working atmosphere in a very dynamic, international and professional team.
• Extensive state-of-the-art equipment, infrastructure (bird facilities…), availability of individually marked populations and (long-term) databases of different bird species (e.g. great and blue tits, European starlings, European nightjars, lesser black-backed gulls, feral pigeons), experience with behavioural, personality and cognitive research.
• The opportunity to present your data on international conferences and participate in workshops.
• A competitive salary for a period of 6-9 months (depending on experience).
• The planned start date is 1 November 2024 or as soon as possible after that date (although it may also be possible to start the position after the FWO post-doc proposal has been submitted).

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including 6 October 2024 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on the 'Apply' button, complete the online application form and be sure to include the following attachments: a 1-page motivation letter, a short (1-page) project proposal/idea on our or other bird model species, and your CV.
• The selection committee will review all applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. Selected candidates will be invited for an interview around mid October.
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be. If you have any questions, please contact: Prof. Marcel Eens (marcel.eens@uantwerpen.be).

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organization which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.