The Faculty of Science, Department of Biology at the University of Turku invites applications for contract-based, fixed term postdoctoral researcher position for 30 months. Employment starts on 1.3.2024 or as agreed.
Our ability to quantify and predict the magnitude of environmental global changes effects represents one of the major challenges of the 21st century. These changes are characterised by a gradual increase of ambient temperature through time, but also leading to an increased frequency of climate anomalies, such as heat waves. Habitat urbanisation, in particular, is a key driver of the increase of ambient temperature. The magnitude of such ambient temperature alterations also depends on latitudinal gradients. These temperature changes can drastically modify the phenology of species, their geographic distribution, food webs, interspecific interactions, but also life history trajectories, behaviour and physiology of individuals. Evidence suggests a central role of plasticity and local adaptation in species’ responses to temperature changes. Yet, plasticity will be constrained by environmental gradients, and endotherms capacities to adapt to thermal stress remain poorly understood. In an urbanisation context along a latitudinal gradient, the aim of this project is to evaluate the harmful repercussions of pre and post-natal effects of thermal stress on the physiology of organisms, behaviour and on their life history trajectories (reproduction and survival). Using a multidisciplinary and integrative approach on Great tits, this project aims to assess effects of thermal stress on different molecular and physiological mechanisms (metabolic rates, mitochondrial function, markers of ageing, stress, Hsp expression) by manipulating temperature under common garden conditions, during development and growth period and follow various life history traits such as growth and survival patterns.
This project will take place at the University of Turku, Finland, and the University of Strasbourg France. The postdoc researcher will be supervised by Dr Sophie Reichert, and closely collaborate with Dr Antoine Stier, Pr Sylvie Massemin and Dr Suvi Ruuskanen. Starting date: 03-04/2024
Main activities will include:
- Conducting experiments on birds in aviaries and in the wild.
- Participating in field work in and around Strasbourg (France), Turku and Jyväskylä (Finland)
- Lab work (ageing markers, stress markers analyses).
- Analysing data and writing publications
- Contributing to the research and social environment of the University of Turku and University of Strasbourg (DEPE-IPHC).
Turku region with its 320,000 people is a major urban area and a leading hub for technological development and economic growth in Finland. This former capital, located in the southwestern Finland, ...
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