Ph.D. Candidate

The Institute of Natural Resources at Massey University (New Zealand) and the Zoological Society of San Diego center for Conservation and Research for Endangered Species (CRES) seek a PhD candidate to study the effects of behavior and physiology as well as environmental variables on kiwi reproduction. 

The successful candidate will join established research groups studying an isolated population of free-ranging North Island brown kiwi and captive pairs at the Zoological Society of San Diego.  Studies of habitat and resource utilisation, reproductive behavior, endocrinology, and egg quality will contribute knowledge critical to the conservation of this species.  Research methods will include non-destructive and non-invasive techniques including ultrasound, TOBEC, fecal steroid analysis, behavioral observations, radio-telemetry and PCR.

The Institute of Natural Resources is a diverse group of scientists interested in the management, sustainable use and conservation of the environment. The Ecology Group actively researches the identity, numbers and behaviour of New Zealand’s unique animals; the survival and conservation of species; the workings of natural communities and ecosystems; and the application of science to management of the human environment.

The Zoological Society of San Diego's center for Conservation and Research for Endangered Species (CRES) is the largest zoo-based multidisciplinary research team in the world, comprising six divisions (Applied Animal Ecology, Behavioral Biology, Genetics, Applied Plant Ecology, Reproductive Physiology and Wildlife Diseases).  With a full-time staff of 115, CRES conducts laboratory studies at the new Arnold and Mabel Beckman Center, as well as field research in more than 20 countries on five continents.

Dr. Castro’s Behavioural Ecology and Conservation Programme and Dr. Jensen’s Reproductive Physiology laboratory will provide the infrastructure and logistics to carry out this PhD.

Information about Dr. Castro’s research group can be found at http://nzbirds.massey.ac.nz. The Institute can be found at http://inr.massey.ac.nz and the Ecology Group at http://ecology.massey.ac.nz. Information about Dr. Jensen’s CRES Reproductive Physiology Division can be found at http://cres.sandiegozoo.org/staff/div_repro_physiology.html.

Applications will be received until Oct 31st, 2008 and should be directed to:

 Dr. Isabel Castro (telephone +64 6 356 9099 ext 7530, email i.c.castro@massey.ac.nz) or to Dr. Tom Jensen (telephone +1 760-291-5433, email tjensen@sandiegozoo.org). 

For more information regarding these projects, please contact Dr. Isabel Castro