Lund University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top universities. The University has around 47 000 students and more than 8 800 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition.

Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard gender equality and diversity as a strength and an asset.

Project description

Birds use powered flight as their main mode of locomotion, allowing efficient exploitation of their habitat and long-distance migration. Flight costs (power consumption) determine the distance the bird can fly on a given amount of energy and can be described by a flight mechanical model. The model predicts a U-shaped function of speed, P(V). Until recently it has been difficult to measure the aerodynamic power output and thereby testing the validity of the flight mechanical model. However, by using high-speed motion capture of body and wing movement it is possible to estimate flight power, as well as by measuring the kinetic energy added to the wake by the flapping wings by measuring the air flow behind the bird.

Job description

ln this project, different approaches of estimating power required to fly at different ipeeds will be applied to different species, with the overall aim to carefully evaluate flight dynamics and efficiency of bird flight. A key component of the project is to explore the effect of body and wing shape on flight costs in a few bird, and possibly also bat, species. The experiments will mainly be carried out in the Lund University low-turbulence wind tunnel, a unique facility equipped with state of the art techniques appropriate to conduct the research.

Qulifications

Master degree in biology, with specialization in animal ecology, evolutionary ecology, functional morphology or zoology, or alternatively in engineering with specialization in aeronautic engineering, fluid dynamics or mechanics Both theoretical proficiency in mathematics/physics and experimental proficiency to plan and carry out experimental work are valued highly. Documented skills in programming is a requirement. Valued qualifications are an ability to work independently, have a creative problem solving ability and to have great patience. To be able to read and write academic texts in English is a requirement. A car driving licence is required.

Eligibility
Students with basic eligibility for third-cycle studies are those who- have completed a second-cycle degree- have completed courses of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are from second-cycle courses, or- have acquired largely equivalent knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad. The employment of doctoral students is regulated in the Swedish Code of Statues 1998: 80. Only those
who are or have been admitted to PhD-studies may be appointed to doctoral studentships. When an appointment to a doctoral studentship is made, the ability of the student to benefit from PhD-studies shall primarily be taken into account. In addition to devoting themselves to their studies, those appointed to doctoral studentships may be required to work with educational tasks, research and administration, in accordance with specific regulations in the ordinance.


Type of employment

Limit of tenure, four years according to HF 5 kap 7§.

Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard gender equality and diversity as a strength and an asset. We kindly decline all sales and marketing Contacts. 

Type of employment Temporary position
First day of employment Accordning to agreement
Salary Monthly salary
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100
City Lund
County Skåne län
Country Sweden
Reference number PA2018/4220
Contact
  • Elin Johansson, personaladministratör, +46 46 222 79 21
  • Anders Hedenström, professor, + 46 46 222 41 42, anders.hedenstrom@biol.lu.se
Union representative
  • OFR/ST:Fackförbundet ST:s kansli, 046-222 93 62
  • SACO:Saco-s-rådet vid Lunds universitet, 046-222 93 64
  • SEKO: Seko Civil, 046-222 93 66
Published 13.Dec.2018
Last application date 10.Mar.2019 11:59 PM CET

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