PhD RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Within the framework of our long-term studies in shorebirds in estuarine areas we are seeking a strongly motivated young researcher willing to develop a 4-year PhD within our research group. The candidate will get our direct support in building a workplan within the broad theme of “Assessing anthropogenic influence in wintering and migrating shorebirds within the East Atlantic Flyway”.

The plan can be tailored by the candidate to a considerable extent, but we envisage that it will be based in the Tagus estuary, and will require a strong fieldwork commitment (e.g. involving bird counts, behavioural observations, habitat characterisation and invertebrate sampling). Laboratory analysis is also expected (e.g. sample processing, preparation of samples for stable isotopes and contaminants). We anticipate good opportunities for participation in comparative work to be carried out in Western Africa (Mauritania and/or Guinea-Bissau).

The workplan will have to be submitted for competitive funding within the PhD Programme /Biology and Ecology of Global Change (please see details at http://begc.biologiaatua.net/).

Selected candidates will profit from large databases already collected in previous projects, which will be augmented by data collected during the PhD. Furthermore, he/she will benefit from the large expertise and facilities held by our research group (based in Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa) as well as research opportunities, while integrating the stimulating and productive working environment of our large avian research group (involving both shorebirds and seabirds). Work expenses will be covered. Selected candidates will be supervised by Dr José Pedro Granadeiro and Dr Teresa Catry.

Candidates with a Master Degree certificate (or a Pre-Bologna first degree) should send an email to jpgranadeiro@fc.ul.pt and teresa.catry@gmail.com until 15th September 2015, including their CV (with reference to grades obtained in first and Master degrees), a motivation letter and two references. Preference criteria include prior fieldwork experience, knowledge of (shore)bird ecology, and full autonomy (a vehicle will be required to access study areas). During the selection process, candidates may be asked for an oral interview via skype.