There is a vacancy for a PhD student in the research group of Prof Oliver Krüger (Animal Behaviour) within the Faculty of Biology at Bielefeld University from 01.02.2025 for a period of four years: PhD student (m/f/d) (Monthly stipend of 1.500 euro ) The future scholarship holder will research the local red kite population in Bielefeld and East Westphalia at the individual and population level. These populations have been recorded since 1989 and 2012 respectively, so extensive long-term data including telemetry data is already available. Both individual life histories and survival rates are to be analysed and incorporated into an integrated population model. The telemetry data will form the basis for local habitat use analyses in time and space. The position is based in the Behavioral Research Department at Bielefeld University, the oldest chair for behavioral research at any German university (www.uni-bielefeld.de/fakultaeten/biologie/forschung/arbeitsgruppen/behaviour). Long-term research on various species of birds of prey is one of the core topics. The department offers a stimulating and international research environment with modern research infrastructure in a new building, which will be occupied in 2025. The working language is English. Together with the working groups Evolutionary Population Genetics (Joseph Hoffman), Behavioral Ecology (Barbara Caspers) and Evolutionary Biology (Klaus Reinhold), more than 80 scientists and PhD students from more than ten different countries work on topics in the field of behavior, ecology and evolution. The scholarship is a consortium project of the Staff-Foundation in Lemgo, the district council of Lippe and the Department of Animal Behaviour at Bielefeld University. Applicants are expected to have an above-average academic degree (minimum Bachelor's degree, ideally also a Master's degree) with a focus on behavioural biology, evolutionary biology or ecology. Further recruitment requirements are: - Field experience in monitoring bird populations, ideally birds of prey - Experience in GIS working methods, - High ability to work in a team, - Good communication skills with various interest groups. In addition, the following experience and knowledge is desirable: - Very good knowledge of written and spoken German and English, - Experience with bird ringing, - Experience in statistical analysis of complex data, ideally in R, - Experience in handling vertebrates, documented e.g. by a FELASA B course, - Experience with transmitter and/or camera technology in field research, - Enjoyment of public relations work in various formats. Under German employment laws, applications from women and disabled persons are expressly encouraged; women with equal aptitude, qualifications and professional performance will be given preferential consideration, unless reasons relating to the person of a competitor prevail. For further information, please contact Prof. Dr. Oliver Krüger at +49-521-1062842, e-mail: oliver.krueger@uni-bielefeld.de. Applications including CV, a brief description of research experience and interests and the contact details of three potential reviewers should be sent by 30.11.2025 to Prof. Dr. Oliver Krüger Universität Bielefeld Fakultät für Biologie Lehrstuhl für Verhaltensforschung Konsequenz 45 33615 Bielefeld "Chakarov, Nayden" (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca)