M.Sc.  ---  Avian behavioural ecology in New Caledonia

We are looking for 2-3 M.Sc. students interested in conducting their
research project on avian behavioural ecology in New Caledonia. The
students' research projects will be part of the long-term research
conducted by the Behavioural Ecology Group at the Museum and Institute of
Zoology of the Polish Academy of Sciences on the behavioural ecology of
small passerines and co-evolutionary arms race between the fan-tailed
gerygone (Gerygone flavolateralis) and the shining bronze-cuckoo
(Chalcites lucidus) from New Caledonia.

We welcome applications from students interested in brood parasitism,
bioacoustics, predator-prey interactions and nest ecology. The
candidate's research should complement our main research topics, but
we also encourage students to formulate their proposal based on their ow
research interests. Possible research topics include:
- dialect variation, intra-pair communication and territorial defence in
  the fan-tailed gerygone
- anti-parasitism defences of potential passerine hosts of shining bronze-
  cuckoo in New Caledonia
- nest defence strategies of the fan-tailed gerygone against brood
  parasite and nest predators
- choice of nest location in fan-tailed gerygone: role of nest
  camouflage, solar radiation and predation pressure

When: the field season will run from September - December 2025 (exact
dates to be agreed). Our field sites are located on the main island of
Grande Terre, in managed nature reserves with tropical dry forest and
tropical moist forest habitats and abundant birdlife.

Additional duties: in addition to own research duties, the candidates will
also be actively involved in all other fieldwork-related activities. These
include nest searching and monitoring, mist-netting and banding,
data collection and analysis and maintenance of field equipment. The
full scope of tasks will vary depending on the candidate's specific
research project.

Requisites: experience of behavioural research with wild birds
in particular nest searching, nest monitoring (including video
monitoring), mist-netting, bird banding. Additional training will be
provided. Fieldwork is physically demanding (UV exposure, heat, humidity,
rain) therefore physical fitness, enthusiasm and self-motivation are
essential. Ability to work independently or as part of a team and to
share living spaces is also essential. Previous experience of working
in the tropics, driving license and knowledge of French are desirable.

Working conditions: 8-10 hours daily for 6 days a week on average,
up to 10-12 hours during the peak of the breeding season with an early
morning start (5-6am). The project will cover the costs of subsistence,
accommodation and commute between sites in New Caledonia. Selected
candidates will need to arrange their own travel to and from New
Caledonia, therefore prospective students are encouraged to apply for
their own research funding to support the travel costs.

How to apply: send a single PDF with the title 
--- NC2025_MSc_NameSurname.pdf ---  with 1) CV with contact details of 2
referees, 2) cover letter (max 1 A4 page) describing relevant experience
and research interests and 3) a short research proposal (max 1 A4 page)
describing the intended research activity to aattisano@miiz.waw.pl. The
initial deadline is 15/05/2025, but positions are open until filled. Only
selected applicants will be contacted and invited for an online interview.

For informal enquiries please contact: Alfredo Attisano
(aattisano@miiz.waw.pl).

Alfredo Attisano <aattisano@miiz.waw.pl>

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