Research Assistant: Timing and Habitat Choice of Shorebirds on Migration

Introduction to the topic:

Bird migration is a worldwide phenomenon, one that has implications for ecosystems all along the flyways of any migrating bird. Near Copenhagen we have an area with good conditions to study migrating shorebirds. The area is originally reclaimed land, having also been a military training area, it is now a managed protected area. The site is managed with grazing of cows, sheep and horses – in addition to the unmanaged deer and geese. We want to study the habitat use in this area of migrating species such as the Northern Lapwing and Eurasian Golden Plover. Do they use the same areas during the migration period? Are there differences in habitat use between species?

Project details:

Your role as a Research Assistant will involve fieldwork, sometimes requiring off-hour activities and possibly in poor weather conditions (wear appropriate footwear and clothing). Tasks will include counting birds and analyzing landscape types/vegetation communities. If data are sufficient, we may incorporate citizen science data to supplement our counts, along with weather data from the Danish Meteorological Institute. If you have specific interests, we can explore accommodating them. Flexibility is key. Enthusiasm for birds and fieldwork is essential.

In your role, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of ecological research methodologies specific to bird migration and habitat use. You will develop skills in bird counting, habitat analysis, and the use of GPS and GIS technology for mapping shorebird habitat choice during migration. Additionally, you will learn to collect, analyze, and interpret ecological data effectively.

The research project extends over multiple semesters, with each semester broken down into specific research tasks. The methodical approach ensures you gain thorough knowledge of the subject and develop research skills tailored to each semester’s objectives. The results we obtain will be written into a final report and will be shared in meetings with the managers of the state-owned habitat, as our findings could potentially influence decisions on how, when, and where they decide to graze which animals.

Selected relevant publications:

Kozik, R., Meissner, W., Listewnik, B. et al. 2022. Differences in foraging behaviour of a migrating shorebird at stopover sites on regulated and unregulated sections of a large European lowland river. J Ornithol 163, 791–802. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-022-01984-3
Moore, F.R. & Aborn, D. A. 2000. Mechanisms of en route habitat selection: How do migrants make decisions during stopover? Studies in Avian Biology No. 20: 34-42
Böhning-Gaese K, Oberrath R. 2003. Macroecology of habitat choice in long-distance migratory birds. Oecologia 137 (2): 296-303. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-003-1346-9

Additional application required

You must submit an additional application through the Online Registration portal.

All application materials must be submitted on the following dates by midnight in your time zone:

November 1 for spring semester applicants
May 1 for fall semester applicants

Complete your application through Student Registration.

Faculty

Jannik Hansen

Faculty

M.Sc. (Wader/shorebird breeding ecology and behavioural ecology), Dept. of Animal Behaviour, Copenhagen University, 2001. Scientific officer at Arctic Ecosystem Ecology, Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University (2004-2021), incl. monitoring field work at Zackenberg Research Station, Northeast Greenland (2005-2021). Project officer (2014- ) for and board member (2007- ) of the International Wader Study Group. Has worked with terrestrial animals, primarily shorebirds, in the field in, Denmark, Sweden, Northeast Greenland, central Norway, and Svalbard. With DIS since 2021.

Research Assistantship FAQ

Learn more about research at DIS.

: Earning authorship within the course of a semester is challenging. Exceptional Research Assistants may be considered for co-authorship, subject to evaluation from the supervising Research Mentor.

Though you may not ultimately become an author on a published paper, you will gain many practical skills and insights into the publication process.

: Many research projects last across several semesters, so not all RAs on the same project will conduct the same research.

: On average, students in 3-credit Research Assistantships spend at least 10 hours a week on research tasks. These 10 hours per week consist of a variety of different research-related tasks, including conducting a literature review, data collection, analyses, coding, documentation, and meetings with your mentor. You may decide on a particular block of time (consistent each week) for you to carry out the work, or adjust it on a week-by-week basis.

Students in a 6-credit Research Assistantships spend an average of 20 hours per week with lab and clinically based research tasks. You decide the exact meeting and lab times with your supervisor, but your schedule consists of classes at DIS two days a week, with two days a week in the lab.

There may be peak times in the research process where all Research Assistant students are expected to spend a few more hours, and then possibly fewer hours another week – to reflect the individual research project and process.

: Work for the 3-credit Research Assistantships may take place outside DIS, on your own time at a location of your choosing, or at DIS – this varies from project to project. The 6-credit research assistantships generally take place at labs in Copenhagen or Stockholm outside DIS.

: Students with a variety of academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply for the 3-credit Research Assistant course. While some courses do have prerequisites, many opportunities do not require prior research experience.

The 6-credit Research Assistant opportunity is designed for highly motivated students who have a strong science background within the field of interest and some basic research experience. The student must be willing to commit a large portion of their semester to an engaging opportunity involving hands-on research in universities and medical institutes in Copenhagen or Stockholm.

Introduction to the topic:

Project details:

Additional application required

Faculty

Jannik Hansen

Research Assistantship FAQ

Will I publish a research paper?

What exactly will I do?

What is the time commitment for a 3-credit or 6-credit Research Assistantship?

Where is the research work carried out?

What type of student applies for the 3- and 6-credit Research Assistant courses?