Job description

We look for a highly motivated and enthusiastic PhD candidate at the
Department of Behavioural Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz
University in Poznan. The position of a PhD-student is available for a
period of four (4) years.  This project is financed under the grant funded
by the National Science Centre, Poland. It will be carried out in close
collaboration with (PI) Paweł Ręk from Adam Mickiewicz University and
Australian National University and Jan Jedlikowski from the University
of Warsaw.

Project description:
In many animal species, individuals coordinate their acoustic or visual
signals, either to each other or to an external rhythm source. As a
result, very spectacular displays can be created. Such displays, although
they often look similar, may be based on different mechanisms and have
different functions in communication. Humans are unique because they
have the ability to synchronise to external rhythms, e.g. in music. They
do not follow individual sounds, but match the beat and follow accents
across a series of sounds. Apart from humans, the ability to follow
the rhythm has also been observed in some insects, e.g. fireflies,
which can synchronize their flashes by thousands. However, the process
of achieving synchronization itself is much simpler in insects than in
humans and differs on many levels. What is surprising, however, is that
in the hundreds of millions of years separating humans from insects,
no species have been found capable of duplicating rhythm in a similar
way to humans. Our preliminary experiments and observations with some
nonpasserine bird species have shown that birds can indeed coordinate
to the rhythm of their partner in very precise and fast vocal duets.
The main goal of the project is to investigate what specific mechanism
is responsible for this synchronization. To this end, we will perform
a number of field experiments and observations, using a whole range of
bioacoustic techniques, including interactive playback and a microphone
matrix.

Qualifications
Necessary:
- Graduate of MSc studies in biology or related fields (don't apply if
  you already have PhD).
- PhD student status at the start and during participation in the
  project / Readiness to start education at the Doctoral School of
  Natural Sciences at the Adam Mickiewicz University.
- Fluency in spoken and written English.
- Experience in field work, especially with wild animals, and enthusiasm
  for research in the field.
- Good knowledge of basic statistical methods.
- Driving license (or obligation to obtain it quickly)

Appreciated:
- Experience in field ornithology (handling birds etc.)
- Experience in any of the following: programming, electronics,
  bioacoustics.

You will conduct field research in the Masurian Lake District for several
months a year. Be aware that this type of work requires high physical
and mental endurance.

We offer
1. A competitive scholarship, enabling you to enjoy living and working
   in Poznań, Poland. The scholarship is PLN 3,100 (net) for the first
   two years and PLN 4,700 (net) for the next two years.
2. Research costs for your projects.
3. Travel funds for you to present your work at scientific conferences.

The recruitment process is two-stage.
First, contact PI and provide the following details:
- a motivation letter outlining why you are interested in the
  position, your previous research projects and work experience and
  your career goals,
- scientific CV
- your Master thesis
- photocopies of diplomas and all relevant certificates
- contact details of a person(s) who can give an opinion about the
  candidate.

(Please attach your documents in English as pdf files and send them to: 
rek@amu.edu.pl)

After the initial selection, selected candidates will be asked to submit
documents as part of the official recruitment at Doctoral School of
Natural Sciences at the Adam Mickiewicz University and will be invited
to an interview with the recruitment committee.

Reviewing of the candidates will be conducted on an ongoing basis and
will continue until the position is filled. Planned start date of the
scholarship: October 2024.

For information you can contact Paweł Ręk rek@amu.edu.pl

Javier Oñate Casado <javiatocha@gmail.com>

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