3 PhD Positions Social bonds and cognition of chimpanzees under natural and sanctuary conditiions Tisk

We are offering three PhD positions, each funded for three years through the European Research Council, with a possible additional year of funding. Successful candidates will work on specific aspects of a larger project that examines social bonding and social cognition capacities in chimpanzees.

Our general interest is to understand the relationship between social bonds and social cognition during development as well as within adults. Successful candidates will be expected to use observational, hormonal and experimental approaches, and to have extended stays in Africa for data collection either with wild chimpanzees of the Taï Chimpanzee Project, Taï NP (Côte d’Ivoire) or in African sanctuaries.

Qualifications and Requirements: A very good Masters (MSc), or comparable degree, in Biology, Psychology or Evolutionary Anthropology and a good knowledge in animal behaviour and animal cognition. We are looking for applicants with experience in at least one of the following areas:

1. field observations and collecting behavioural data on social mammals.

2. conducting field experiments such as playbacks or similar controlled behavioral tests, preferably with primates.

3. non-invasive hormone sampling and analyses.

4. working and living under harsh conditions in remote areas.

5. good statistical and analytical skills.

Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology Department of Primatology

The successful applicant would need to be fluent in English, resistant to physical and psychological stress, have strong social skills, enjoy collaborative work and able to work and live in an intercultural environment. Salary and Funding Supported by a German public service doctoral salary (3 + 1 years).

Start and Term of Appointment

Starting April 2016, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Comments

Applications should be sent by email and should include a cover letter stating research experience and interest, detailed curriculum vitae, a 1-2 page proposal/outline of a research topic that interests you within the research domain described above, and the names and e-mail addresses of three referees.

Application deadline is 19th February or until position is filled thereafter.

Contact Information Catherine Crockford: Tato emailová adresa je chráněna před spamboty, abyste ji viděli, povolte JavaScript