Post-doc position in Oulu, Finland

A postdoctoral position, funded by the Academy of Finland, available at the Department of Biology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.

Accumulating evidence suggest that information is flowing among conspecific and heterospecific individuals but very little is known about its ecological and evolutionary effects. Our research team have demonstrated that interspecific information use affects important decisions, such as where to breed, how much invest in offspring and which behavioral traits to copy (e.g., Current Biology 17, Ecology 88, Proc. R. Soc. B 278), but many novel research questions are still awaiting further exploration.

The current research project can be built on different themes or combination of them depending on the skills and interests of the candidate. One of the main aims is to examine dispersal and breeding site selection of birds relative to presence and performance of con- and heterospecifics using a comprehensive long-term data base. Experimental field work is also possible using resident titmice and migratory flycatchers as model species. Field work will take place either in Oulu, or on the island of Gotland, in Sweden. Interspecific information use challenges many predictions of the traditional theories and provides many exciting and novel questions for theoretical examination. Studies will be done in collaboration with researchers from Lyon (France), Uppsala (Sweden), and Helsinki (Finland).

Applications and requirements:
Minimum qualifications include a PhD in ecology, evolutionary or community ecology or related field and interest in social information use, and habitat selection. Good English speaking and writing skills are mandatory. Ideal candidate is a confident and independent scientist and has a good track record in publishing in leading journals. S/he also should have a strong background in analyzing large spatial and temporal data sets. An interest and skills for theoretical studies is a benefit, but not necessary.

The start of the position is flexible, but should preferably not be later than March 2012. Funding is available for 12 months with a possibility for an extension of 6-12 months. The salary will be based on the levels 5-6 of the demand level chart for Finnish universities and also is affected by the ­personal work performance, and will be 3300-3900 euros/month, including full health care benefits.

Interested applicants should email a statement of research interest, a full CV, and names and contact information of three academic referees (in pdf format) to Jukka Forsman (jukka.forsman@oulu.fi). Initial consideration of applicants start on December 9^th, 2011, and position is open until a suitable candidate is found.

Informal enquiries are welcome (jukka.forsman@oulu.fi, phone: +358-(0)8-5531951.