Additional recruitment to the Doctoral School of Natural Sciences beyond the limit of places

Project description:       

Long-distance seed dispersal is a rare event that often has disproportionate importance for gene flow, population viability, and the ability of plant populations to track rapidly changing environmental conditions. While the significance of long-distance dispersal is widely recognized, its rarity makes it challenging to study. However, this problem can be solved by using an appropriate study system and capitalizing on new technological advances in seed tracking. Here, I propose to study the causes and ecological drivers of long-distance seed dispersal by Eurasian jays interacting with oaks (a relatively well-known study system). I argue that combining this classical study system and new, high-quality tracking devices (improved tracking system is planed) will be instrumental in answering previously non-tractable questions about the mechanisms of long-distance seed dispersal in oaks. The specific aims are to: 1) Evaluate how seasonal and multi-annual changes in acorn production affect LDD in oaks, 2) Experimentally examine how the risk of pilferage influences recaching rates, and the impact of recaching on acorn dispersal distance, 3) Test whether the predator satiation hypothesis presents a sufficient explanation of acorn consumption rates by jays, and 4) Check an effect of “fruiting gaps” (no acorns) in native oak species (Q. robur, Q. petraea) on spatial expansion and genetic variability of cohorts of alien oak Q. rubra.

State of the art - premise of the proposed study

1. Does seed crop influence LDD by jays? Investigating the link between seed crop and dispersal distance by jays opens new opportunities for understanding the adaptive value of masting.
2. Does recaching influence LDD by jays? Jay recaching may be the key to understand LDD mechanisms in spread of heavy-seeded trees.
3. Does foraging by jays conform to the predator satiation hypothesis? My preliminary studies on current consumption during two consecutive non-mast years indicate that jay reactions to seed crops differ from the mechanism postulated by the predator satiation hypothesis.
4. “Fruiting gaps” – how does alien red oak profit on non-mast years of native European oaks? Other words, cohorts of alien oak benefit on natural seeding pulsation reaching its maximal spatial distribution and genetic variability during fruiting gap of native oaks.

The issues presented above have rarely been studied in birds, as researchers have more often chosen rodents as easier subjects for studying plant-animal interactions. Combining these issues within the framework of forest ecology gives the planned research a multidisciplinary nature, which significantly impacts its importance in expanding our knowledge of jay-oak relationships.  

REQUIRED SKILLS OF THE CANDIDATE:
1. Independence and commitment in fieldwork in various terrain and weather conditions,

2. No medical contraindications to physical work in the field, mobility, and availability,

3. Interests and potential scientific achievements in the ecology of plant-animal interactions,

4. Education in a natural sciences field, e.g., biology, forestry, or other earth sciences,

5. Fluency in English, both written and spoken,

6. Knowledge of statistical data analysis techniques and programs,

7. Additional skills: identifying tree and bird species, with particular emphasis on the study object: oaks and jays,

8. A driving license and own car are desirable.  

Tasks – general outline:

Telemetry studies on acorn dispersal by jays – tracking the location of caches using a telemetry antenna and a radio receiver while walking around the field in various weather conditions and short daylight hours. The main research period is late summer through autumn (September-November). Additional field tasks will be carried out throughout the year. 

Principal investigator: dr hab. Przemysław Kurek NCN 2025/57/B/NZ8/00213

Recruitment 

Selection Committee

                              Chairman:                           dr hab. Przemysław Kurek

Schedule of  the Doctoral  School enrolment procedure:  

Recruitment fee

The recruitment fee is 75 EUR.

Form of the selection procedure

One stage procedure.

Language of the selection procedure, including interviews:

  English language. 

Required documents:

Candidates applying based on exceptional academic achievements must include a scan of the following:  

1) For first-cycle graduates: the diploma and supplement. 

2) For students completing the third year of a unified master’s programme: a certificate indicating their academic average from years 1 to 3, along with a transcript. 

Candidates educated outside Poland must additionally submit: 

1) A scanned copy of their higher education diploma and supplement for both first- and second-degree qualifications (Bachelor’s and Master’s), in the original language and a certified translation into English or Polish.

2) A scanned copy of their passport (for foreign applicants). 

 Evaluation criteria

 1. A minimum grade of "very good" or equivalent from a second-cycle (master’s) or unified master’s degree diploma (5 points). Candidates applying on the basis of exceptional scientific achievements (e.g., grant awarded under the “Pearls of Science” competition) will also receive 5 points. 

2. Evaluation of up to three documented scientific achievements submitted during registration in the IRK system, assessed according to the detailed criteria of the candidate's accomplishments (maximum of 20 points). 

3. Assessment of other documented activities, based on up to three achievements indicated by the candidate, as per the specific criteria for the discipline (maximum of 5 points). 

4. The outcome of the interview, which assesses: 

a) The candidate’s knowledge and competencies relevant to their intended research, including discipline-specific expertise. 

b) Research methodology appropriate to the chosen discipline. The interview has a maximum duration of 30 minutes and awards up to 50 points. 

5. Evaluation of the research project prepared for admission, or in the case of recruitment tied to a grant project, the author’s concept for implementing the project (maximum of 20 points). Assessment focuses on: 

a) Formulation of the research objective and presentation of the research problem. Page 6 of 9 

b) Originality of the research idea and approach to solving the research problem. 

c) Methodology suited to the indicated discipline. 

d) Awareness of the current state of research, supported by a basic bibliography. 

e) The project’s significance for the development of the chosen discipline. 

Condition of admission to the Doctoral School 

Education Program

Education at the doctoral school lasts 8 semesters. Education at the Doctoral School  is offered on the basis of a framework curriculum and an individual research plan and ends with the submission of a doctoral dissertation.

The framework curriculum at the doctoral school includes a catalogue of modules of compulsory classes, elective compulsory classes and optional classes. It also:

1)    defines their schedule

2)    defines the way in which the classes are taught

3)    defines how learning outcomes are verified.

Education begins on 1st May, 2026.

Supervisors

A doctoral student works under the supervision of a supervisor or supervisors, or a supervisor and auxiliary supervisor, who will be appointed by the Deputy Rector at the request of a doctoral student (within 3 months of the start of his or her studies at the Doctoral School). 

Scholarships 

The doctoral scholarship amounts to PLN 5000 (gross-gross) per month before the mid-term evaluation and PLN 6500 (gross-gross) per month after the mid-term evaluation for 19 months.

Rules of admission to doctoral schools of Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań in the academic year 2025/2026, Appendix to Resolution No. 46/2024/2025 of UAM Senate of 27 January, 2025.