POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP available to work on the ecology and physiology of seasonal interactions in the American redstart, a collaborative project between the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center at the National Zoo (Peter P. Marra) and the University of Maine (Rebecca L. Holberton) pending final funding by the National Science Foundation. The Post-doctoral Fellow will be based in Washington DC at the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center although significant travel to field sites and to the University of Maine in Orono is anticipated. The two-year appointment, $35,000/year may begin as early as Jan or Aug 2007. The Post-doctoral Fellow will work closely with the PIs and graduate student on the project and a significant amount of time in the field is required. Fieldwork will be conducted on non-breeding grounds in Jamaica and on breeding grounds in North America. Several physiological indicators of energetic and breeding condition (including sampling for plasma hormones and metabolites and administering GnRH challenges to assess gonadal development) prior to spring departure from Jamaica and upon arrival on the breeding grounds will be used to determine how non-breeding season habitat quality ultimately affects breeding success.

The Fellow will develop their research stemming from this or closely-related work on migratory birds. Requirements include a strong interest in ecology, behavior, and physiology of migratory birds, and a desire to learn a variety of field and laboratory techniques. Successful applicants will have experience in the observation, capture and handling of birds and have strong knowledge of the ecology of migratory bird biology. For more information, contact PETER MARRA, SMBC, (EM: marrap@si.edu, URL: http://www.si.edu/smbc, PH: 202-633-1594) or REBECCA HOLBERTON, UMaine, (EM: rebecca.holberton@maine.edu, URL: http://www.ume.maine.edu/cortico, PH: 207-581-2526).