A PhD. STUDENT POSITION: to study predator-prey interactions in a Finnish forest bird community.

University of Turku, Finland
 
Currently our research group is studying intra-guild predation between Tengmalm’s and Pygmy owls in intensively managed forest landscape; furthermore, we investigate passerine habitat selection and reproductive investment decisions, and the consequences (behavioural and evolutionary) of these decisions relative to breeding owls and other avian predators. We are looking for a (non-Finnish) PhD student with an MSc degree (or equivalent) to join our group in these studies early in 2007. The candidate will be able to continue within the already established studies. However, there is also scope for developing new questions relating to the system, something we would encourage. This is therefore an ideal opportunity for a motivated PhD student eager to be involved in all stages of developing a research project. In general, you should have an interest in behavioural/evolutionary ecology and have some experience in conducting fieldwork, preferably bird related. You will work closely 

in the field and office with a post-doc, and other PhD and MSc level students. Fieldwork (in the Kauhava/Lapua area, 350km north of Turku, Finland) will typically last 3 months/year, with the remainder of the time being spent at the Section of Ecology, Dept. of Biology, Univ. of Turku, Finland. 
Section homepage: http://www.sci.utu.fi/biologia/en/ecology.html
Research group homepage: http://users.utu.fi/ekorpi/index.htm 
Some relevant information can be found at http://users.utu.fi/robtho/

Initially this position has funding for 1 year (~ €1100/month). Several possibilities exist for applying for additional funding once the candidate is in Finland. Please note that non-Finns that have been living in Finland for longer than 1 year are not eligible for this position.

For more information or to apply, please send a short cover letter with motivation for this project, CV and two references by email to: Erkki Korpimäki (ekorpi@utu.fi) and Robert L. Thomson (robtho@utu.fi) not later than 30.11.2006.