Description of the thesis topic

The rapid growth of urban areas constitutes one of the major environmental changes, starting during the XXth century, confronting biodiversity to unprecedented challenges fostering contemporary evolution (Ouyang et al., 2018). The domestic mouse (Mus musculus) has been intimately associated with humans since the beginning of sedentarism (Weissbrod et al., 2017), but little is known about its actual ecology, circulation, and even its pathogens. However, this species is able to prosper from rural areas to city centers, exposing it to multifaceted adaptive challenges along the anthropization gradient, that mirror pressures on humans with whom they are closely associated, e.g. changes in diet, activity patterns, thermoregulation in more or less heated buildings and 3D exploratory behavior in highly complex environments. The aim of the project is therefore to develop an innovative, integrative approach for better understanding the house mouse in the context of expanding urbanization.
The objective of the project is therefore to develop an innovative and integrative approach to better understand the house mouse in the context of increasing urbanization.
The question is: how have house mice adapted to diverse local conditions, given the more or less anthropogenic geographical structure?
Hypothesis 1: Due to the local availability of food resources, we expect rural mice to feed primarily on a carbohydrate-rich diet (e.g., grains on farms), while urban mice, feeding on human waste, should rely more on a highly processed diet rich in fats and sugars. Such dietary differences should select for locally specific metabolic, energetic, and morphological traits.
Hypothesis 2: Mice living in rural areas should be more timid, less exploratory, and less innovative than their urban counterparts, which are confronted with highly complex three-dimensional buildings.

Work Context

Laboratory: LEHNA (Laboratoire d'Ecologie des Hydrosystèmes Naturels et Anthropisés) , UMR CNRS université Lyon 1, bât. Darwin C, campus de la Doua, Lyon, France
Team : Ecophysiologie, Comportement, Conservation.
We are looking for a physiologist with strong knowledge in metabolism (indirect calorimetry, mitochondria bioenergetics, enzymatic activities) with interest in integrative physiology and ecophysiology and field experimentation (trapping). Background in statistics is requested (for instance R is recommended).
Applicants should send an application letter, a CV (resume), a copy of your master thesis, the name and contact of at least two scientists for professional recommendations. For further information about the position, do not hesitate to contact the supervisors.

Constraints and risks

We are looking for an autonomous, curious, organized, adaptable, rigorous person with interest in scientific writing, with the ability to work in a team in an interdisciplinary environment and with excellent pipetting skills. The student will have to do a lot of laboratory experiment (indirect calorimetry, enzymology, oxygraphy RT-PCR). A formation in animal experimentation will be essential during the thesis. As the study model is wildlife, the handling and stabling of animals is different and will require training.