The Department of Animal Ecology has a vacancy for a PhD position ‘Response of insects to light at night: linking sensory systems to spatial and temporal behaviour’.

Artificial illumination at night is increasing due to urbanization and economic activity, with severe consequences for our natural environment. Insects are strongly affected, in their natural behaviour and physiology, with direct attraction to light as one of the most severe consequences. Studies indicate that airborne, nightly active insects are one of the most affected groups in global insect declines. The attraction to light, and how this behaviour links to the response of sensory systems when exposed to different light spectra is however poorly understood. 

The PhD project
The PhD student will study the spatial and temporal aspects of attraction of insects to light of different spectra in the field, and the responses of photoreceptor systems to different spectra in the laboratory. The study has three main aspects: 1) the impact of light spectrum on the ‘catchment’ range around light sources and the behavioural patterns underlying attraction; 2) the impact of light spectrum on (species specific) daily and seasonal timing of activity and 3) how these behavioural responses relate to electrophysiological responses in the laboratory to link the behaviour observed in the field to photoreceptor systems and responses of the circadian system. 
The field work will be conducted at the worldwide unique experimental ‘Light on Nature’ sites (www.lichtopnatuur.org) at which different light spectra are tested in (natural) forest edge habitat, using dedicated insect traps and imaging systems. Suitable model species will be identified that allow for testing in dedicated electrophysiological setups.

Research and Project group
The PhD project is a collaboration between the Spoelstra group at the Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), located in Wageningen, The Netherlands, and the Hut laboratory at the University of Groningen (RuG). The PhD position is based at the NIOO-KNAW, with the behavioural-physiological lab work performed at the GELIFES institute at the University of Groningen. This PhD position is one of in total 25 positions at the core of the BioClock consortium, funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) in the framework of the Dutch Research Agenda (NWA). BioClock is a national consortium in which academic institutes, societal partners, and industry join forces to address a broad spectrum of fundamental and applied research questions on the circadian clock in modern society. The PhD candidate will participate in this multidisciplinary team effort. See: https://bioclockconsortium.org/ for more information about the BioClock consortium.
 

The successful candidate should have a master’s degree, and a strong background in experimental (field) ecology or (insect) physiology and statistics. Successful candidates must speak fluent English and Dutch (or have the willingness to acquire the language). Communication skills will be essential for team work and interaction with authorities. A car driving license is necessary. 

Appointment
This is a temporary appointment, initially for one year and upon satisfaction to be prolonged for a maximum of in total four years (1.0 FTE). Starting date: February / March 2022 (some flexibility available). The gross salary starts at €2.434 per month in the 1st year, and will gradually increase to a maximum of € 3.111 per month in the 4th year (scale P) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities, excluding 8% vacation allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus.

Location 
The Netherlands Institute of Ecology, NIOO-KNAW in Wageningen, The Netherlands, and partly the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (RuG) in Groningen.
 

Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO)

The Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) is an Academy research institute. It conducts ecological research on land, in the ocean and in fresh water and studies how living organisms interact with one another and their environment. NIOO stimulates biodiversity and sustainability in nature and society through its worldwide network of researchers, policymakers, conservationists and other stakeholders.