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Prof J Reid, Prof Stuart Piertney
No more applications being accepted
Competition Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
Effective management of populations of conservation concern requires that variation in reproductive success and survival, and the interacting environmental and genetic forces that cause this variation, can be identified and mitigated. This is rarely achieved because the necessary demographic, ecological and genetic data are rarely available across relevant temporal and spatial scales.
This project will dovetail molecular genetic, quantitative genetic and demographic analyses to inform evidence-based conservation of red-billed choughs in Scotland and the Isle of Man. Molecular genetic data and long-term life-history data will be used to 1) quantify the dynamics of neutral genetic diversity in relation to population growth rate, 2) quantify the pattern of inheritance of an emerging genetic disease using pedigree reconstruction, and 3) quantify the genetic, demographic and population dynamic consequences of ongoing applied conservation measures.
The project offers opportunities to undertake state-of-the-art genetic, demographic and population dynamic analyses, to apply this work to conservation strategy and to participate in a dynamic long-term project. Full training in labwork and molecular genetic and demographic data analysis will be provided.
This project will dovetail molecular genetic, quantitative genetic and demographic analyses to inform evidence-based conservation of red-billed choughs in Scotland and the Isle of Man. Molecular genetic data and long-term life-history data will be used to 1) quantify the dynamics of neutral genetic diversity in relation to population growth rate, 2) quantify the pattern of inheritance of an emerging genetic disease using pedigree reconstruction, and 3) quantify the genetic, demographic and population dynamic consequences of ongoing applied conservation measures.
The project offers opportunities to undertake state-of-the-art genetic, demographic and population dynamic analyses, to apply this work to conservation strategy and to participate in a dynamic long-term project. Full training in labwork and molecular genetic and demographic data analysis will be provided.
Funding Notes
Candidates must be eligible for UK/EU fee status and should hold a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree and/or a Masters degree or an equivalent qualification.
PhD commences in October 2012.
To apply, complete the application form (downloadable from http://www.abdn.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply.php) and send it to [Email Address Removed] along with a covering letter, an up-to-date CV and 2 academic references.
Send to Ms Dana Ho, School of Biological Sciences, Cruickshank Building, Aberdeen, AB24 3UU. E-mail is the preferred mode of application – [Email Address Removed]
PhD commences in October 2012.
To apply, complete the application form (downloadable from http://www.abdn.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply.php) and send it to [Email Address Removed] along with a covering letter, an up-to-date CV and 2 academic references.
Send to Ms Dana Ho, School of Biological Sciences, Cruickshank Building, Aberdeen, AB24 3UU. E-mail is the preferred mode of application – [Email Address Removed]
References
Reid, J.M., Bignal, E., Bignal, S., Bogdanova, M.I., Monaghan, P. & McCracken, D.I. (2011) Diagnosing the timing of demographic bottlenecks: sub-adult survival in red-billed choughs. Journal of Applied Ecology 48, 797-805.
Reid, J.M., Bignal, E.M., Bignal, S., McCracken, D.I. & Monaghan, P. (2004) Identifying the life-history determinants of population growth rate: a case study of red-billed choughs (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax). Journal of Animal Ecology 73, 777-788.
Laikre, L., Ryman, N. & Thompson, E.A. (1993) Hereditary blindness in a captive wolf population: frequency reduction of a deleterious allele in relation to gene conservation. Conservation Biology 7, 592-601.
Piertney, S.B. et al. (2008) Temporal changes in kin structure through a population cycle in a territorial bird, the red grouse (Lagopus lagopus scoticus). Molecular Ecology 17, 2544-2551.
Biebach, I. & Keller, L.F. (2010) Inbreeding in reintroduced populations: the effects of early reintroduction history and contemporary processes. Conservation Genetics 11, 527-538.
Bignal, C. & Bignal, E. (2011) Supplementary feeding of subadult choughs. British Wildlife 315-319.
Reid, J.M., Bignal, E.M., Bignal, S., McCracken, D.I. & Monaghan, P. (2004) Identifying the life-history determinants of population growth rate: a case study of red-billed choughs (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax). Journal of Animal Ecology 73, 777-788.
Laikre, L., Ryman, N. & Thompson, E.A. (1993) Hereditary blindness in a captive wolf population: frequency reduction of a deleterious allele in relation to gene conservation. Conservation Biology 7, 592-601.
Piertney, S.B. et al. (2008) Temporal changes in kin structure through a population cycle in a territorial bird, the red grouse (Lagopus lagopus scoticus). Molecular Ecology 17, 2544-2551.
Biebach, I. & Keller, L.F. (2010) Inbreeding in reintroduced populations: the effects of early reintroduction history and contemporary processes. Conservation Genetics 11, 527-538.
Bignal, C. & Bignal, E. (2011) Supplementary feeding of subadult choughs. British Wildlife 315-319.
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