Master/Diploma project
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Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany

Application deadline: 15. 1. 2012
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Master/Diploma project available (summer 2012)

Max Planck Institute of Ornithology, Department of Behavioural Ecology and Behavioural Genetics, 82319 Seewiesen, Germany

We are looking for a motivated student who is interested in doing a Master or Diploma project (6-9 months) in our research group (http://orn.mpg.de/mitarbeiter/forstm2.html).

The project will focus on mate choice and assortative pairing for quality in a captive but recently wild-derived population of zebra finches. Birds will be breeding in large communal outdoor aviaries, and work will involve behavioural observations (partly using a video surveillance system), molecular paternity analysis, nest checking and monitoring of breeding success.

The project should start around April/May 2012

Qualifications:
− Interest in animal/bird behaviour; experience in working with birds would be a plus
− Willingness to spend long working hours during the breeding season

Supervision will be by Wolfgang Forstmeier, Bart Kempenaers, and Malika Ihle.

If you are interested please send a letter of motivation, CV, and if possible the names of two referees to Malika Ihle (mihle@orn.mpg.de). Deadline: 15th January 2012.


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Dr. Wolfgang Forstmeier
Max Planck Institute for Ornithology
Dept. Behavioural Ecology & Evolutionary Genetics
Eberhard-Gwinner-Strasse
82319 Seewiesen
Germany
Phone: ++49 - (0) 8157 - 932 346
FAX: ++49 - (0) 8157 - 932 400
E-mail: forstmeier@orn.mpg.de
Homepage: http://orn.mpg.de/mitarbeiter/forstm.html