Physiologically structured population models for viability analysis
One Post-doctoral position 2008-2009 available at the Ecology-Evolution
Laboratory (CNRS, UMR 7625) at the Ecole Normale Superieure (CERES-ERTI)
in Paris. Applications are invited for a one-year postdoctoral position funded by R2DS (http://www.r2ds. centre-cired. fr/) to investigate the dynamics of small populations with plastic life histories using physiologically structured populations models.
Population persistence is notably conditioned by the degree of individual variation in reproductive success, which depends on variation in any part of the life cycle. Yet, the majority of studies that examined population extinction have tended to ignore life history variation and plasticity. Here, we wish to use life history models to inform the dynamics of small populations and ask how plasticity in life history traits influences extinction dynamics.
Many aspects of life history can interact with population dynamics and the project concentrates on three of them, namely growth, maturation and survival. The post-doc will explore this issue by developing models that account for variation in life history traits using the theory of physiologically structured populations (PSP). This theory takes into account that physiological development (e.g. growth, maturation) depends on the current state of the environment (e.g., temperature, food and predator densities).
In turn, the influence of the population on the environment closes a feedback loop between environment, population and life history. The theory of PSP models is thus particularly well-suited to study the interaction between population dynamics and plastic life history.
Small populations are subject to stochastic fluctuation in abundance. The project aims to study the feedback of this variability on life history and the consequences for extinction dynamics. The models will be parameterized with estimates from field and experimental studies undertaken with the common lizard, a species with strong thermal and food plasticity in life history traits. The post-doc will be based at the Ecology-Evolution Laboratory (CNRS, UMR 7625) at the Ecole Normale Superieure (CERES-ERTI) in Paris, where the applicant will work with David Claessen and Jean-Francois Le Galliard.
This post-doc project is part of a research network on the dynamics of small populations funded by ANR from 2008 to 2012 and will therefore interact with a larger group of researchers. The post can start on September 1st or October 1st 2008 and will run for one year with a possible one year extension by applying to extended funding from the R2DS network in spring 2009. Gross salary will be 2500€ per month. The starting date can be postponed in exceptional circumstances. References: Claessen, D. (2005).
Alternative life-history pathways and the elasticity of stochastic matrix models. American Naturalist 165: E27-E35. Le Galliard, J.-F., Fitze, P. S., Ferrière, R. and J. Clobert. 2005. Sex ratio bias, male aggression, and population collapse in lizards. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 102(50):18231- 18236. Claessen, D; Van Oss, C; de Roos, AM; Persson, L. 2002.
The impact of size-dependent predation on population dynamics and individual life history. Ecology 83 (6): 1660-1675.
Candidate profile
There are no nationality restrictions and the successful candidate will:
(1) Possess a doctoral degree in ecology and/or mathematics, dating no more than 2 years before 1 October 2008, though the last condition may be negotiated in exceptional circumstances.
(2) Not have worked in the hosting lab, nor have prepared his thesis within the hosting lab, except for a return after a period of absence of at least one year.
(3) Have strong competence in modeling, with an interest in population dynamics,
viability analyses and conservation biology and knowledge of C programming or closely related languages.
(4) Have personal qualities needed for group work and inter-disciplinary study.
Contact Application:
Chantal Cuisinier,
tel.: +33 1 44 27 36 89,
email: Chantal.Cuisinier@ snv.jussieu. fr,
postal address is CNRS UMR 7625,
Universite Paris 6, 7 Quai St Bernard, 75005 Paris
Research project: David Claessen,
tel.: +33 1 44 32 27 21,
email: david.claessen@ ens.fr
How to apply
1: Applicants have until April 30 2008 to send a completed application form available at http://jf.legalliard. free.fr/ to the Application contact point.
2: The lab director and a local jury will select one candidate from the application
forms and contact the candidates from May 31 2008.
3: The regional office of the CNRS will be responsible for drawing up the contract.
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