PhD position Computational Modelling of Biological Systems (1,0 fte): Groningen, Netherlands Closing date: 28th April 2014 The Behavioural Ecology and Self-organization Group at the University of Groningen is seeking to recruit a PhD student to strengthen its research team on Self-organization of Social systems. The position is full-time and available immediately. Research environment The position is part of the project Optimisation of navigation for intercepting prey during aerial hunting by birds, funded by a Grant (ALW) from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) to Prof. Charlotte Hemelrijk. Key objective of this project is to understand how the hunting strategy of a raptor has been shaped by evolution: whether evolution has optimised the guidance of the raptor for hunting as a specialist or as a generalist and what the robustness is of the optimised prey-targeting system in relation to the behaviour of the prey, whether it is unwary or trying to escape, it is flying solitarily or is flocking. For this the effects on the optimization of pursuit-evasion tactics, behavioral delays, flight control, biomechanics, the prey-targeting and flocking of prey will be studied in a computational model. Evolutionary techniques will be combined with insights from models and empirical data of flight mechanics, hunting behavior (diving and level pursuit) and guidance of the aerial predator. Results will also be related to procedures used in the missile literature. The research team will also involve another PhD student working on escape of prey when solitary and when in a flock. Both PhD students will develop and extend computational models on specific species of raptor and prey. The research project is a collaborative effort of the research team on Self-organization of Social systems and the Oxford Flight Group. Predictions generated by the computational models will be verified with hunts from real raptors in cooperation with the Oxford Flight Group. Daily supervision will come from Prof. Hemelrijk and Dr Hanno Hildenbrandt. Dr Graham Tayler (Oxford Flight Group, UK) will co-supervise the project. The PhD student will work in Groningen in the BESO group which is embedded in the Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies (CEES), which comprises several other strong, internationally recognized research groups in the field of avian and evolutionary biology. The University of Groningen enjoys an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative centre of higher education and belongs to the best research universities in Europe. Description The successful candidate will have previous research experience in theoretical modeling, be in good command of the English language (oral and written) and possess excellent communication skills (indicated by the ability to write scientific papers and deliver presentations). Since studies on self-organisation are highly interdisciplinary, successful candidates are expected to demonstrate an active and supportive approach to interdisciplinary research and collaborate with other group members. Suitable candidates can be either individuals with a background in the computational (life-) sciences, with interest in evolutionary and biological questions, or evolutionary biologists with experience in computational modeling. Candidates for the PhD position should have: - a MSc in mathematical biology, a MSc in computational science with focus on biology or an MSc in computational physics with specialization in biology, MSc in artificial intelligence with a specialization in an area of computational or mathematical biology or a MSc in biology, with a specialization in an area of computational or mathematical biology - experience with developing computer simulation code and a sufficient background in mathematics - a strong interest in biomechanics of flight and attack, interest in collective, swarming behavior. Candidates with research experience in these areas are particularly encouraged to apply. Benefits The University of Groningen offers a salary of € 2,083 (salary scale PhD students Dutch Universities) gross per month in the first year, up to a maximum of € 2,664 gross per month in the final year, based on a full-time position. The position requires residence in Groningen and must result in a PhD thesis within the 4-year contract period. A PhD training program is part of the agreement and the successful candidate will be enrolled in the Graduate School of Science. The successful candidate will first be offered a temporary position of one year with the option of renewal for another three years. Prolongation of the contract is contingent on sufficient progress in the first year to indicate that a successful completion of the PhD thesis within the next three years is to be expected. Application Applications, including a letter of motivation, a curriculum vitae, a list of publications (if any), a list of examination marks, and the contact information of three academic referees, must be submitted by means of the application form (click on Apply below on the advertisement on the universitys website). The position will remain open until filled. All applications received by 28 April midnight, 2014 will be given full consideration.
Posted on: Mon, 24 Mar 2014 12:27:30 +0000
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