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Investigating the role of sedentary and migrant wild birds as vectors of emerging diseases

Publié le 13 janvier 2011
 Investigating the role of sedentary and migrant wild birds as vectors of emerging diseases

Laboratory of Marine Ecology - ECOMAR (RUN-UNIV) St Denis

  • Recherche
  • Environnement
  • Santé
  • La Réunion
  • Bac +7 et plus
  • Employé
  • Débutant
  • CDD

Offre d’emploi du du Laboratoire d’Ecologie Marine (ECOMAR), université de la Réunion.

A two year position in ecology is available at the “Seabird Team” of the Laboratory of Marine Ecology of Réunion Island (ECOMAR). This group is conducting research on ecology and conservation of seabirds of the tropical western Indian Ocean. Our first topic is the study of the links between the marine environment and the foraging strategies and reproductive performances of tropical seabirds. The second topic concerns the impacts of alien mammals on seabird reproduction and survival at breeding colonies and the implementation of rehabilitation actions on islands.

Our group is also involved in a multidisciplinary research programme (wild fauna pathogens inventory project) jointly funded by EU, regional and national funds. This programme aims at assessing the role of sedentary and migrant wild fauna in the emergence of infectious diseases potentially impacting human people. In this programme, our group is in charge with the work package on wild birds. The young researcher to be recruited will be appointed to this work package.

The young researcher will study the role of wild birds in the dispersion and exchanges of infectious diseases and their vectors within the western Indian Ocean and between islands of the western Indian Ocean and other parts of the world from where migrating birds come (Europe, Middle East, East Africa). He or she will use both telemetry data and biological samplings to investigate these questions. Telemetry will track the migrating routes of the most frequent migrant birds of the region (mostly seabirds). Biological samples (blood and ectoparasites) will be analysed by virologists and entomologists to identify the main pathogens and their vectors transported by wild birds.

The young researcher will be based on Réunion Island (lab. ECOMAR ; RUN Univ ) and will work within the team headed by Pr. Matthieu Le Corre and under his supervision. (http://personnel.univ-reunion.fr/lecorre/). He or she will be in constant interactions with the other partners of wild fauna pathogens inventory project and will contribute to the capacity building objectives of the RUN-EMERGE programme.

He or she will do frequent field work in the various studied islands : Europa, Seychelles, Mauritius, Madagascar and Réunion Island.

The successful candidate must have :

- A recent Ph-D in shorebird or seabird ecology and/or migrating behaviours.
- Excellent skills in wildlife telemetry, spatial analysis, GIS, and biological sampling
- A good field experience and ability to work in an insular and isolated environment
- Ability to conduct scientific research to a high standard and to produce scientific writing
- Ability to work as part of a pluridisciplinary programme and interact with experts of very different fields (virologists, bacteriologists, epidemiologists, entomologists, veterinarians, doctors, public health decision makers...).

It would be an added advantage if the candidates had :

- Experience or knowledge of tropical environments
- Travel experience and foreign language skills desirable

For more details on the position contact Dr Matthieu Le Corre at ECOMAR [email protected]

[email protected]

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