GERMANY; PHD POSITION for MASTER DEGREE SCHOLARSHIP

1 PhD position available at the Courant Research Center Evolution of
Social Behavior, Göttingen University, Germany
Applications are invited for a PhD project to work on competition and
cooperation in male Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus) in their
natural habitat in Morocco. The project will focus on male
reproductive competition and consequences for social relationships and
stress physiology in Barbary macaques. The study will be carried out
in the oak and cedar forest near the city of Azrou, in the Middle
Atlas Mountains, Morocco. The field site is run by Dr. Bonaventura
Majolo (University of Lincoln, UK) and Prof. Mohammed Qarro (Ecole
Nationale Forestière d’Ingénieurs, Morocco). Three habituated troops
are currently available to study at the field site. Accommodation will
be in the city of Azrou, in a fully furnished flat with internet
connection. Azrou can be easily reached from Fez international airport
(around Km60 from Azrou), but also from Rabat-Sale’ or Casablanca
airports. All the necessary equipment for field work is available on
site (binoculars, weather station, hand-held computers and software
for data collection, and equipment for playback experiments).

Initial funding is available (9-12 months depending on the starting
date) and we are currently seeking additional funding up to three more
years.

The candidate should hold a master’s degree in Biology or Physical
Anthropology and have a strong background in Behavioral Ecology or
Animal Behavior. Anticipated start of fieldwork is August 2009 and
data collection will last approximately 1.5 years. The work at the
field site is physically very demanding. The field site is between
1,400 and 1,900 meters a.s.l. and weather conditions can vary
dramatically across the year, with temperature ranging between 35ºC to
-5ºC and snow in the winter months. Hence, interested individuals
should be physically fit and have previous experience with field work
in remote areas. He/she should enjoy working in a team as well as
individually and independently. Data collection will include detailed
behavioral sampling as well as collection of fecal or urine samples
for subsequent hormonal analyses. Thus, prior experience in behavioral
observation of social animals in the wild will be a pre-requisite.
Ability to speak (and write) English is mandatory, knowledge of French
and/or Arabic beneficial. Following the field period, behavioral and
hormonal analyses will be conducted at the University of Göttingen,
Germany. Applications should include a letter describing research
experiences and interests, a CV and contact information of two
referees. Application should be send be to Prof. Julia Ostner via
email (jostner [ à ] gwdg.de). Review of applications start immediately and
will continue until the position is filled.