PhD position: Homemakers; web building behaviour in New Zealand sheet-web
spiders

Spiders' webs are both tools for foraging and arena in which to
negotiate and contest reproductive opportunities. Most research into
these extended phenotypes has been conducted on more regularly arranged
orbwebs. Such structures differ markedly to the webs of the North Island
sheet-web spider Cambridgea foliata which builds large, non-sticky and
three-dimensional webs ( <1m2) both deep in native forest and modified
habitats. These webs are built, extended and then tended to over months,
representing a significant energetic investment, and can persist between
years across changes of inhabitants.

However, little is known of how these webs are built, how spiders
respond to damage and accumulation of litter, and about the various
smaller arachnids, including kleptoparasites, that live within the
larger web. This study will investigate web building behaviours and
web morphology of this widespread endemic in order to characterise how
natural and sexual selection influence site selection, web size and
possible mending and cleaning behaviours. It will also characterise the
diversity of web commensals in webs collected from both native and more
disturbed habitats.

This PhD position involves a combination of field and lab work. You
will be supervised by Dr Leilani Walker and Professor Hannah Buckley
with opportunities to collaborate with other researchers.

We are seeking an independent and highly motivated candidate with:

  *   An Honours or MSc degree in animal behaviour, evolution and
      ecology or invertebrate zoology
  *   Experience in ecological field work and/or lab and field
      experiments. This would include work at night.
  *   Strong statistical analysis skills (preferably in R)
  *   Excellent communication skills in English (written and spoken)
  *   An open mind and a general willingness to learn and work in a team
  *   A full driver's license

This is a fully funded PhD position for 3 years (an annual stipend
of $33,726 plus tuition fees and research costs). We encourage both
international and domestic students to apply for this position, which will
be based in the School of Science at the Auckland University of Technology
in T?maki-Makaurau/Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand. T?maki-Makaurau is
the largest city in Aotearoa. While boasting a vibrant city centre,
a range of natural environments from beaches to native forest are only
a short drive away.

Interested candidates should send applications as a single PDF document
comprising 1) a letter of motivation that clearly outlines your
interest in the advertised project, 2) a curriculum vitae, including
scientific publications if applicable, 3) academic transcripts, and
4) contact details for two academic references to Dr Leilani Walker
(leilani.walker@aut.ac.nz). Applications will be received until the
position is filled.

[AUTMaori] <http://www.aut.ac.nz/>
Leilani Walker  She/her
Lecturer
Environmental Science
Auckland University of Technology

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E leilani.walker@aut.ac.nz

leilani.walker@aut.ac.nz

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