Let’s shape the future - University of Antwerp

The University of Antwerp is a dynamic, forward-thinking European university. We offer innovative academic education to over 20,000 students, conduct pioneering scientific research, and play a significant service role in society. As one of the region's largest, most international, and innovative employers, we are shaping tomorrow's world with more than 6,000 employees from 100 different countries. Our top scientific research pushes boundaries and sets the course for the future—a future you can help shape.

The Faculty of Sciences at the University of Antwerp is seeking a full-time post-doc researcher to study behavior and behavioral responses in a changing and urbanizing world. The research will be conducted at the Behavioural Ecology & Ecophysiology research group of the University of Antwerp (BECO, UA), a highly dynamic group focusing on animal behavior across its four major aspects: causation, development, function, and evolution. Our research combines behavioral, evolutionary, and ecological approaches through longitudinal and experimental field studies, as well as controlled laboratory experiments. A key research focus is on how birds respond to urbanization, including anthropogenic stressors such as light, noise, and chemical pollution. There is an urgent need to further examine how animals respond to changing environmental conditions and how this affects fitness and population viability.

Position

• Gather accurate and repeated measures on various behavioral and cognitive traits (e.g., birdsong, exploration behavior, personality, social learning, social and spatial cognition) in free-living birds.
• Quantify anthropogenic stressors (noise, light, and chemical pollution; urbanization).
• Examine how animals respond to changing conditions and how this affects fitness and population viability.
• Conduct related field and/or laboratory experiments.
• Apply for a postdoctoral fellowship at the FWO post-doc call of December 2024.

Profile

• Hold a PhD in biology, environmental sciences, or a related field, and be eligible for a Junior or Senior FWO postdoctoral fellowship.
• Have experience in behavioral ecological and/or ecotoxicological research, with interest or experience in studying bird cognition.
• Possess skills in statistical analyses.
• Have excellent English communication skills, both written and oral.
• Be available for full-time work with high motivation and strong planning, communication, and organizational skills.
• Work effectively independently and in a multidisciplinary, international, and multicultural team; manage conflicting demands and meet deadlines.
• Commit to applying for a postdoctoral fellowship at the FWO post-doc call (Dec 2024), with the University of Antwerp as the host institution, upon acceptance of the position.

What we offer

• Scientific development opportunities in an international, interdisciplinary research environment with an excellent working atmosphere in a dynamic, international, and professional team.
• State-of-the-art equipment and infrastructure, including bird facilities and long-term databases of various bird species (e.g., great and blue tits, European starlings, European nightjars, lesser black-backed gulls, feral pigeons), with experience in behavioral, personality, and cognitive research.
• Opportunities to present research at international conferences and participate in workshops.
• A competitive salary for 6-9 months, depending on experience.
• The planned start date is 1 November 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter, with flexibility to start after the FWO post-doc proposal submission.

Want to apply?

• Apply through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform by 6 October 2024 (midnight Brussels time). Click 'Apply', complete the online application form, and include a 1-page motivation letter, a short (1-page) project proposal/idea on our or other bird model species, and your CV.
• The selection committee will review applications after the deadline, with interviews planned for mid-October.
• For questions about the online application form, check the FAQs or email jobs@uantwerpen.be. For further inquiries, contact Prof. Marcel Eens (marcel.eens@uantwerpen.be).

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organization that invests in employee growth. We value diversity and promote an inclusive working environment with equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or age. We encourage applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds and characteristics.