Two Macquarie University Research Excellence Scholarships (MQRES) for PhD research in Cognitive Neuroethology are available in the laboratory of Dr Andrew Barron at Macquarie Universitys Centre for the Integrative Study of Animal Behaviour (CISAB, http://galliform.bhs.mq.edu.au/~cisab/) (Sydney, Australia).
Possible research topics include:
1. Analysis of the neural mechanisms underlying the honeybees symbolic dance language. Dance behaviour is the only clear example of symbolic communication in invertebrates and has become a classic study in animal behaviour, but the neural mechanisms generating this symbolic language system are completely unknown.
2. Neural mechanisms of reward processing and reward-seeking motivation in honeybees. Forager bees spend their lives seeking and collecting floral rewards to deliver to their nest mates. The aim of the project is to identify the neuromolecular basis of this reward-seeking drive, and to compare the mechanistic bases of reward seeking for individual versus colony benefit.
3. A comparative analysis of the mechanisms of queen control in social bees. In primitive insect societies queens maintain control by attacking workers, but paradoxically largest societies are also most harmonious. In advanced insect societies there has been a transition in the mechanism of queen control from assault to pheromonal signals. The project will explore how this transition has occurred and how advanced societies evolved a state of social harmony.
For further information and discussion regarding these projects, prospective applicants should contact Dr Andrew Barron (andy@galliform.bhs.mq.edu.au).
MQRES scholarships include a stipend currently AU$19,616 p.a. tax exempt (2007), allowances for relocation and thesis costs, international tuition fees and overseas health cover for a maximum of 3.5 years tenure. Additional support is available for research expenses and travel (visiting overseas laboratories and attending conferences). Casual teaching opportunities may also be available within the Department.
Requirements:
Applicants should have completed qualifications equivalent to a four-year Australian Bachelor degree with First Class Honours (such as a Masters degree with substantial thesis component). Experience in some of the following areas would be ideal: molecular biology, animal behaviour, neurobiology, behavioural ecology, neuroethology.
Contact:
Andrew Barron
Centre for the Integrative Study of Animal Behaviour
Macquarie University
Sydney, Australia 2025
Phone: +61 2 9850 4185
Fax: +61 2 9850 9231
