Post doc

Jesus College in association with the Department of Zoology
Station Biologique de la Tour du Valat Research Fellowship
in the Edward Grey Institute
Applications are invited for a Research Fellowship to be held for three years (with the
possibility of extension for a further two) to work jointly at the Edward Grey Institute,
Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, and at the Station Biologique de la
Tour du Valat in the Camargue, from 1 October 2008. The position will be associated
with a Junior Research Fellowship at Jesus College, Oxford.
Primary Duties
We seek to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Fellow for three years (with the possibility
of extension for a further two) to work jointly at the Edward Grey Institute,
Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, and at the Station Biologique de la
Tour du Valat in the Camargue The primary duties of the Research Fellow will be to
develop an independent research programme in an area that complements the current
research interests of the two organisations, with the aim of strengthening links
between them. In particular, applications from individuals with research interests in
the following areas are welcomed:
(i) Population ecology of birds, with a particular emphasis on long-term
studies of individually marked birds in a meta-population context.
(ii) Analysis and modelling of the epidemiology of animal disease,
particularly with respect to predictive modelling of vector-borne disease.
(iii) The application of remote- and automated-tracking technology to the study
of bird population biology and conservation.
The Research Fellow will be expected to divide his or her time between the two
organisations, and to develop a vigorous externally-funded research programme that
develops both organisations’ research interests in mutually beneficial directions. The
salary will be on points 28-32 of the national pay spine, with the appointment being
made on point 28 (£27,332 on 1 October 2008) and rising by one point each year.
(The figures include a nominal Jesus College Fellowship stipend of £180 p.a.). There
will also be an annual research and travel allowance.
Further Details
Requirements of the Post

The aim of the post is to develop a vigorous, externally-funded, research programme
in an area that complements the existing research strengths of Station Biologique de la
Tour du Valat (TdV) and The Edward Grey Institute (EGI). The post builds on the
endowment at Oxford of the Luc Hoffmann Chair in Field Ornithology, held by
Professor Ben Sheldon. The research field is not restricted, but the successful
candidate will have a track record of research excellence in an area that complements
the current interests of Station Biologique de la Tour du Valat (TdV)and The Edward
Grey Institute (EGI). In particular, applicants with interests in the following three
areas are encouraged to apply:
(i) Population ecology of birds, with a particular emphasis on long-term
studies of individually marked birds in a meta-population context. Both
research institutes have a distinguished tradition of research in population
biology of birds, and maintain large data sets relating to individual lifehistories
in several species of land- and waterbirds.
(ii) Analysis and modelling of the epidemiology of animal disease,
particularly with respect to predictive modelling of vector-borne disease.
Recent research interests at the EGI include understanding the causes of
small-scale spatial structure and diversity in avian malaria, while work at
TdV has recently focussed on the spread of West Nile Virus in Europe, as
well as on the potential role of wild waterbirds in transmitting avian flu.
(iii) The application of remote- and automated-tracking technology to the study
of bird population biology and conservation. Both institutes have
considerable interest, and potential for further development, of
technologies that use either remotely-sensed information, or automated
tracking devices to elucidate the basic ecology and conservation biology of
birds.
The successful candidate will possess:
(1) A doctoral degree in an appropriate subject, with no more than 5 years
postdoctoral experience before 1 October 2008;
(2) A strong track-record of research in an area of relevance to the two host
institutes;
(3) A clear interest in applied research and conservation
The post-holder will divide evenly his or her time between Oxford and the Camargue,
spending a minimum of 5 months in the location where least time is spent.

Support for Post
In addition to the salary set out above, the following support and benefits are
available:
• Generous research and travel expenses, up to a maximum of £11,000 p.a. (inflated
annually, but with a reduced research component in the fifth and final year).
• The successful candidate will be in a priority position for receipt of funding for
PhD students in the Department of Zoology at Oxford.
• A dual location living costs allowance of £5,000 p.a. (inflated annually)
• Accommodation in Oxford: the Fellow may rent furnished rooms for a single
person in Jesus College if desired (note there will be no kitchen facilities and the
rooms are not ensuite). The annual rent will be at the prevailing level of charges,
currently £3,413 p.a.
• Accommodation at the Station Biologique de la Tour du Valat while in the
Camargue
• Study room in Jesus College: a study room in College (equipped with standard
computer and printer) will be provided if required.
• Dining rights: the Fellow will be entitled to lunch and dinner free of charge with
the Senior Common Room of Jesus College during term and vacation, except
when the kitchens are closed.
• Membership of the Senior Common Room (SCR at Jesus College): small charge
payable
• Pension: the person appointed will be eligible to join USS, under which scheme
6.35% of his or her stipend is deducted.
Partner Organisations
Station Biologique de la Tour du Valat was founded in the Camargue in 1954 by Dr
Luc Hoffmann with the aim of conducting research relevant to the conservation of
Mediterranean wetlands. It has been a pioneer in a range of fields: producing
management plans for protected natural areas, building bridges between science,
management and public policies, multidisciplinary research. It has developed a level
of scientific expertise which is now internationally recognised and which provides
practical responses to conservation issues. It has catalysed the formation of
partnerships at the local, national and international levels. Based on a 2600 ha estate it
provides extensive laboratory and office facilities in the heart of a rich variety of
wetland and other Mediterranean habitats.
In the framework of its five-year plan (2006-2010), Station Biologique de la Tour du
Valat develops its research programmes on the ecology and dynamics of wetlands and
tests management techniques on its estate.
The objectives of this programme are to create more synergy between research and
the needs of conservation and to become increasingly involved in the Mediterranean
countries. The 2006-2010 programme is organised according to three complementary
themes (1) an Observatory of Mediterranean wetlands, (2) Integrated management
and ecosystems dynamics and (3) Global change and species dynamics. The concept
of transfer lies at the very heart of the Station Biologique de la Tour du Valat’s
mission. To this end, we have developed expertise in the fields of training, the
publication of popularised documents, awareness rising, and, more generally,
communication.
Further details of the Station Biologique de la Tour du Valat can be found at:
http://www.tourduvalat.org/
The Station Biologique de la Tour du Valat comprises approximately 60 staff
including 10 senior research fellows and 10 graduate students.
The Edward Grey Institute (EGI) is part of the Department of Zoology in the
University of Oxford, and conducts research into the ecology, behaviour and
evolution of birds in their natural environments. Founded in 1936, and internationally
known for its work on population and behavioural ecology of birds, it has recently
undergone significant research-related expansion under the Directorship of Professor
Ben Sheldon, inaugural holder of the Luc Hoffmann Chair in Field Ornithology. In
addition to modern laboratory and office facilities, much research is carried out on the
University Estate of Wytham, on the outskirtsof Oxford. Further details of the EGI
can be found at: http://www.zoo.ox.ac.uk/egi/

The Zoology Department of the University of Oxford is the centre for Oxford’s
research in organismic biology, and has particular strengths in the field of Behaviour,
Ecology, Epidemiology and Evolution. The Department also has facilities at the
University Field Station at Wytham and at the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit at
Tubney. The Department comprises approximately 50 members of academic staff and
senior research fellows (ten of whom are Fellows of the Royal Society), 80 research
assistants and 160 graduate students. While the Department remains one of Zoology,
it has close teaching and research ties with Plant Sciences, Biochemistry, Biological
Anthropology, and the University Museum.
Jesus College, Oxford has a strong commitment to promoting and enabling
education, learning, scholarship and research at the highest levels amongst its students
and academic staff, whilst preserving an informal and friendly atmosphere. Founded
in 1571 by Elizabeth I, the College is a self-governing educational charity and is one
of the 36 constituent colleges of Oxford University. With Lord Krebs, FRS, as its
Principal, the College comprises some 50 Fellows, 20 lecturers, 160 graduates, 330
undergraduates, and 90 support staff. The College is located on an attractive historic
site in the centre of Oxford, with excellent access to the Bodleian Library and other
university libraries, the Science Area, and the University’s department and faculty
buildings. The College contains a very strong group of Zoologists. As well as Lord
Krebs, there are two Professorial Fellows, Professor Paul Harvey (Head of the
Zoology Department at Oxford) and Professor Charles Godfray (the Hope Professor
of Entomology), and a Tutorial Fellow, Dr Graham Taylor. Full information about
the College is available on the College website at www.jesus.ox.ac.uk and about the
academic staff at www.jesus.ox.ac.uk/staff.
OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Probation: the College Statutes require that the first year of a Junior Research
Fellow’s appointment should be probationary. Upon satisfactory completion of
the initial first year of appointment, assessed by Governing Body, the post-holder
will be eligible for re-election for a further two years.
Mentor: the College will ascribe a Fellow in a cognate area to be the Junior
Research Fellow’s academic mentor.
Teaching: Junior Research Fellows are encouraged to develop their teaching skills,
if appropriate, and may undertake a maximum of six hours teaching per week in
term. The College will have first call on any teaching capacity, and that teaching
will be remunerated at the Senior Tutors’ Committee hourly rates. JRFs need the
consent of Governing Body of the College to undertake teaching outside the
College. However, there is no requirement to undertake any teaching at all during
the Fellowship if the holder does not wish to do so.
Equal opportunities. Jesus College is an equal opportunities employer. Where
suitably qualified individuals are available, the selection committee will contain at
least one member of either sex.
Data protection. All data supplied by applicants will be used only for the
purposes of determining their suitability for the post and will be held in
accordance with the principles of the Data Protection Act 1998 and the College’s
Data Protection Policy.
Work permits. Under the Immigration Act, 1971, overseas nationals coming to
work in Great Britain who are subject to immigration control require work permits
and these are applied for by the College. The College endeavours to complete the
necessary procedures in advance of the date on which employment is to start, but
the necessary consents must be obtained before paid employment can begin.

PROCEDURE FOR APPLICATION AND APPOINTMENT
How to apply: There is no application form. Please send SEVEN COPIES of the
following, quoting reference AT07043 to recruit@zoo.ox.ac.uk by noon on 28
January 2008.
• a covering letter
• a curriculum vitae
• a list of publications
• an outline of the proposed programme of research
• the names and contact details, including email addresses, of three referees (NB
the references themselves are not sought at this stage)
Application process: a long list of applicants will be drawn up by the selection
committee in February 2008, after which references will be sought for these
candidates. A short list of candidates will then be drawn up.
Short-listed candidates will be invited for interview in February or March 2008.
They will be invited to give a short presentation on their research and research plans
to the selection committee. Candidates will be invited to attend lunch with other
Fellows (including JRFs), and a tour of the College (neither are part of the selection
procedure). Reasonable interview expenses will be reimbursed, and overnight
accommodation can be offered if required.
Applicants are also requested to inform their referees that, under the 1998 Data
Protection Act, the references they provide will be regarded as disclosable to the
subject of the reference unless marked “strictly confidential”. This instruction
must appear on the letter of reference itself and not just on the envelope in which
the letter is contained. Referees should also be asked to note that even where a
reference is marked “strictly confidential” it could still be disclosed to the subject
of the reference if that subject so requested and the College’s Data Protection
Officer deemed it appropriate.
Any queries about the application process may be addressed to
recruit@zoo.ox.ac.uk, quoting reference AT07043. Informal enquiries to either
Patrick Grillas (grillas@tourduvalat.org) or Ben Sheldon (ben.sheldon@zoo.ox.ac.uk)