PhD research on vocal communication in the cooperatively breeding Western Australian Magpie

We are seeking a PhD student to conduct research on vocal communication in the Western Australian Magpie. Magpies are incredibly vocally complex, and group members constantly communicate with one another throughout the day. Our previous research on cooperatively breeding species has revealed that group members constantly relay information to one another regarding predator threats, contributions to cooperative behaviour, and the presence of territory threats (non-group members). We have an established population of magpies based in Perth. This population is fully habituated and ringed, and subject to long-term research. We are seeking a student that would be able to conduct sound recordings, acoustic analysis and playback experiments to determine the complexity of communication among group members, what information is conveyed, and how such information benefits group members. We would be interested in students addressing advanced issues such as the possibility of vocal negotiation of cooperation and conflict avoidance among group members.

Funding Notes:

Domestic
• Domestic applicants must be Australian or New Zealand citizens or permanent residents in Australia.
• Domestic students must have obtained or be expected to obtain an upper division second class honours degree or equivalent.
• Other criteria apply.
• For details
• http://www.scholarships.uwa.edu.au/search?sc_view=1&id=341
International
• International (IPRS and SIRF) students must have completed an undergraduate degree and attained First Class Honours – or the equivalent; e.g. hold a Masters degree.
• IPRS and SIRF competition is intense - there are 20 across UWA - most of the successful applicants in the Sciences have degrees from universities equivalent in world rank to the Group of Eight in Australia (Top 300 in Academic Ranking of World Universities) and publications in ISI listed journals (the better your university and your degree classification the less publications become important).
• UWA has guidelines for applicants regarding English proficiency.
• Other criteria apply.
• For details
• http://www.scholarships.uwa.edu.au/search?id=454.
Are You Competitive?
The main limitation is your competitive ability in UWA's screening process. Competitive applicants in previous IPRS rounds have had first class degrees and often Masters degrees and frequently publications. If you are interested in the opportunity to be a fully funded student under my supervision please contact me to discuss the possibilities.

I will make a decision about who will go through to the current application process on or around the 29th August 2014.

AUSTRALIAN and NEW ZEALAND students can avoid the competition associated with the IPRS - please contact [Email Address Removed]

Further information:

http://www.animals.uwa.edu.au/students/opportunities


http://www.babbler-research.com/


http://www.ceb.uwa.edu.au

https://www.facebook.com/pages/CENTRE-FOR-EVOLUTIONARY-BIOLOGY/424509184277922

Contact:

Mandy Ridley [Email Address Removed]