Find below a post-doc description to work with large herbivore communities and/or plant-herbivore relationships in alpine ecosystems.
Post-Doc position: Coexistence processes and role of large herbivores in mountain ecosystems Project description Large herbivore species have been increasing in numbers and distribution in Europe in the last decades. In mountain areas, up to 6 wild species (chamois, ibex, mouflon, roe deer, red deer, wild boar) plus domestic livestock can overlap during part of the year. This situation gives the opportunity to better understand the coexistence processes within communities of large herbivores composed of a restricted number of species. Our project, entitled Between resources and predators: understanding coexistence processes and functional role of large herbivores in mountain ecosystems aims at identifying direct and food- or habitat-mediated coexistence processes among large herbivores in the Alps, in a context of increasing species-specific population sizes, changes in land use, climate change and return of large carnivores. This program is an extension of an existing project focusing on large ungulate population dynamics in the Alps, based on the long-term monitoring of marked individuals in chamois, mouflon and roe deer. A large data base on marked individuals (visual, VHF, GPS) is available, as well as data on plant communities and maps of the area. We have investigated habitat selection at site and population scales for 3 species, based on censuses of both marked and unmarked individuals to disclose the temporal dynamics of spatial overlap among species and habitat selection. Now, we are exploring the dynamics of diet overlap and of food quality and quantity in the different habitats. We would like to pursue our program towards a better understanding of (1) large herbivore foraging tactics at a small scale in allopatric and sympatric situations; (2) large herbivore space use across spatial scales depending on species life history traits based in the analyses of GPS locations; (3) differential impacts of large herbivores on plants and habitats depending on the composition of the large herbivore community, and ultimately (4) the role of climatic variability, predators and human activities on the structure and dynamics of large herbivore dynamics. Post-doc project We are proposing a 2 year post-doc position to work within this program entitled Between resources and predators: understanding coexistence processes and functional role of large herbivores in mountain ecosystems. Several new topics could be developed depending on the qualification and motivation of the candidate within the project: functional plant-herbivore interactions and small scale foraging tactics, plant responses to large herbivores (in terms of secondary compounds and functional traits), analyses and modeling of animal movements at different scales (based on GPS data), habitat use, modeling of spatio-temporal dynamics of large herbivore community. New data on animal spatial and feeding behaviour as well as on plant responses and soil can be acquired through the design of appropriate protocols. We would also welcome proposals to model coexistence processes across spatial scales. Funding is available to support field work, laboratory analyses, and participation to conferences Facilities and working conditions: The candidate will be part of the Université de Savoie group of the Alpine Ecology Lab (LECA-director: Pierre Taberlet). The office will be located in Bourget du Lac close to Chambery. Facilities for chemical analyses (e.g. plant secondary compounds) are available. The field study site is 45 min drive from the university and has local overnighting facilities. The candidate will be in daily interaction with Anne Loison, Christiane Gallet, one other post-doc (Gaelle Darmon) and one PhD student (Claire Redjadj), as well as a new professor to be appointed in September 2008. In addition, close relationships with the LECA in Grenoble (Pierre Taberlet team and Sandra Lavorel team) and with the Biometry and Evolutionary Ecology Lab in Lyon (Jean Michel Gaillard and Herve Fritz group) are maintained by bi-monthly meetings. The candidate is expected to participate actively to these working groups. Required qualifications (depending on the topic developed): Academic: PhD, expertise in modeling and statistics, spatial analysis, population dynamics, community ecology, evolutionary biology, use of satellite-derived measures, behavioural ecology, Other: expected to work under minimal supervision, ability to work in a team, autonomy, ability to write high quality scientific papers, speaking French is not compulsory. NB: French citizens cannot apply Start: anytime during 2008 (the earliest the better) Salary: Depending on professional experience after PhD Deadline for application: 20th December 2007, extended until filled Send your CV, a letter of motivation, and the name and email address of 2 or 3 references to Anne Loison: [EMAIL PROTECTED] More information can be asked to: Anne Loison: [EMAIL PROTECTED], 00, 33,(0)4 79 75 86 00. ********************************************* Anne Loison [EMAIL PROTECTED] Alpine Ecology Lab(LECA) CNRS-UMR 5553 Université de Savoie 73376 Le Bourget du Lac France Tel: 00, 33, (0)4 79 75 86 00 (office) / 00 33 (0)6 71 02 11 69 (mob)
