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Postdoctoral Researcher in penguin ecophysiology

The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers
18 Jul 2023

Job Information

Organisation/Company
Université de Strasbourg
Department
Direction de la Recherche
Research Field
Biological sciences
Environmental science
Researcher Profile
First Stage Researcher (R1)
Recognised Researcher (R2)
Country
France
Application Deadline
Type of Contract
Temporary
Job Status
Full-time
Hours Per Week
36
Offer Starting Date
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?
Not funded by an EU programme
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?
No

Offer Description

Job Summary :

Heat waves are known to cause heat stress and to impair individual fitness and population dynamics in many taxa, but there has been extremely little research conducted on heat stress in animal species from polar regions. Yet, endotherm species being well adapted to the cold are predicted to be especially limited in their ability to deal with unusually warm temperatures.

 

The general aims of the proposed postdoc are to (1) characterize the thermal range that king penguins can tolerate before suffering from heat stress on land, (2) investigate the potential deleterious effects of heat stress on individual’s reproduction and health using individual monitoring of physiology, behavior and reproductive success. HotPenguin will rely on data/ samples collected over the past 10 years by the ECONERGY long-term monitoring program, as well as on newly (2023-24) targeted data collection, involving a 3 to 6 months field trip for the postdoc.

 

Job Description :

Heat waves are known to cause heat stress and to impair individual fitness and population dynamics in many taxa, but there has been extremely little research conducted on heat stress in animal species from polar regions. Yet, endotherm species being well adapted to the cold are predicted to be especially limited in their ability to deal with unusually warm temperatures.

 

The general aims of the proposed postdoc are to (1) characterize the thermal range that king penguins can tolerate before suffering from heat stress on land, (2) investigate the potential deleterious effects of heat stress on individual’s reproduction and health using individual monitoring of physiology, behavior and reproductive success. HotPenguin will rely on data/ samples collected over the past 10 years by the ECONERGY long-term monitoring program, as well as on newly (2023-24) targeted data collection, involving a 3 to 6 months field trip for the postdoc.

 

The project will take place within the Hubert Curien Multidisciplinary Institute (IPHC UMR7178), and more precisely in the Department of Ecology, Physiology and Ethology (DEPE) located on the Cronenbourg campus in Strasbourg (FRANCE). The DEPE hosts about fifty people, and the HotPenguin project is an integral part of the work of the EPE (Ethology and Evolutionary Physiology) team led by Vincent Viblanc (CRCN CNRS). The HotPenguin project is led by Antoine Stier (CRCN CNRS), who is the PI of the polar project #119 ECONERGY supported by the French Polar Institute (IPEV). The #119 project team comprises 4 researchers (Antoine Stier, Vincent Viblanc, Jean-Patrice Robin and Pierre Bize), two post-doctoral researchers (Agnès Lewden and Aude Noiret), a PhD candidate (Camille Lemonnier), a volunteer from civic service (VSC) provided by IPEV for 14 months (Elsa Marçon) and an ENS trainee (Samuel Laporte).

A Fieldwork stay at the Alfred Faure research station in Crozet Archipelago (Possession island) is forecasted for 3 to 6 months, including one month of boat trip.

 

Description of the research activities

- field work on king penguins: monitoring of 50 breeding pairs, with captures, morphological measurements, behavioral observations, blood sampling, equipment with external (heart rate, accelerometer-GPS) and internal (temperature) loggers, and laboratory work on fresh blood (mitochondrial function).

- analyzes of subcutaneous and internal temperature data acquired previously (2021-23)

- analyzes of blood samples acquired previously (2012-2023) for the determination of, among other things, glucocorticoid hormones and heat shock proteins HSP70 and HSP90

- statistical analysis of the data obtained and writing of scientific article(s)

 

Informal inquiries can be addressed to antoine.stier@iphc.cnrs.fr and applicants are encouraged to submit a single PDF with their CV, list of publication, motivation letter, name of reference persons and PhD certificate.

 

 

 

Requirements

Research Field
Biological sciences
Education Level
PhD or equivalent
Research Field
Environmental science
Education Level
PhD or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications

Qualifications/knowledge

 - PhD in ecophysiology or a related field

- Good knowledge of endotherm thermal biology

- Good knowledge of statistical tools used in biology

- Training/certification in conducting experimental procedures on animals

 

Operational skills/expertise

 - Laboratory work (biochemical assays, ELISA, molecular biology)

- Fieldwork skills (capture/handling, blood sampling, using biologgers…)

- Proficiency in using R to run GLMM, GAMM models

 

Personal qualities

 - Ability to work within a team and to contribute to leadership

- Ability to work independently on a daily basis

- Ease and kindness in the communication with team members

- Ability to live in a remote area (< 40 people and no way out) for several months

Internal Application form(s) needed
Recrutement_Post_Doctorants_Annexe1G_HotPenguin.pdf
English
(69.92 KB - PDF)
Download

Additional Information

Eligibility criteria

Only applicants who defended their PhD recently (< 3 years) are eligible.

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available
1
Company/Institute
IPHC UMR7178
Country
France
City
Strasbourg
Postal Code
67037
Street
23 rue du Loess
Geofield

Where to apply

E-mail
antoine.stier@iphc.cnrs.fr

Contact

City
Strasbourg
Website
Street
4 rue Blaise Pascal
Postal Code
67000