In the News

The Energetics Lab at Northern Michigan University is recruiting a Graduate/Master student to work on:

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EFFECT OF MICROCLIMATES ON ENERGY BALANCE REGULATION AND SOMATIC MAINTENANCE IN A FAT STORING HIBERNATOR

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START DATE FALL 2025

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Dr. Sylvain GIROUD – Assistant Professor Northern Michigan University

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Project outlines:

Adaptations within species to local environment is widespread in nature. Better understanding this local adaptation is critical to conserving biodiversity. Individuals adapt their physiology and behavior according to local environmental conditions, known as ‘microclimates’, which shape individual’s life-history traits including survival and reproduction. The pace of life syndrome (POLS) predicts the integration of behavioral, physiological and other life-history traits along a slow-fast continuum. Hence, individuals of same species and from closely related populations might develop life-history traits based on the microclimate in which they live. Lake Superior has great influence on climatic and environmental conditions generating some microclimate by providing some mildness in winter and coolness during the summer. Hence, this project will aim at studying the impact of microclimates on the regulation of energy balance linked to various outcomes on somatic maintenance and survival in a small fat-storing hibernator, the Thirteen-Lined Ground Squirrel (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus). To test this hypothesis of microclimate effects, we will develop an experimental approach in captivity under fluctuating environmental temperatures and photoperiod and possibly in nature using the influence of Lake Superior on two population sites contrasting in local environmental conditions.

 

Tasks during the project: (i) conduct experiments & collect data in wild-caught squirrels hibernating under different microclimates simulated under semi-captive settings, and possibly on field sites with contrasted microclimates and (ii) analyze morphologic, thermal, energetic, reproductive, and genetic data resulting from the experiments.

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Type & duration of position: Paid Graduate Teaching Assistantship – Support available for up to 2 years (4 semesters).

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Project start: Fall 2025, however an earlier start date during the summer will be desirable

 

The applicant should have a good background in coursework covering animal physiology, zoology, and ecology. Previous experience with statistics & programming, using R software, is required. If you are interested, please contact us as soon as possible by sending a letter of interest, CV, unofficial transcript, and contact information for three references via E-mail (sgiroud@nmu.edu). All applications received by January 13th, 2025, will receive full consideration.