The
“Animal Minds Project e.V.” advertises 3 postdoc stipends associated to
the Comparative Cognition Group at the Max Planck Institute for
Ornithology (MPIO) in Seewiesen (located near
Starnberg, about 50 km from Munich), an internationally renowned
research institution with more than 200 employees working in four
departments and nine research groups. The research group of Comparative
Cognition runs a research station in collaboration with
the Loro Parque Fundación (LPF) on Tenerife, Spain where comparative
cognitive studies on parrots and other animals can be carried out. In
this regard, “Animal Minds Project e.V.” invites applications for
2 postdoctoral stipends in parrot comparative cognition.
The
2 stipends provide an opportunity to carry out research projects on the
evolution and mechanisms of complex cognition in parrots (and corvids)
using a comparative approach. The successful
candidate will join the Comparative Cognition Group and therefore be
affiliated scientifically to the Max-Planck-Institute for Ornithology.
(S)he will have access to the greatest parrot collection in the world
comprising over 350 (sub)species of parrots and
a laboratory with ca. 40 trained parrots (touch screen, exchange
paradigm etc.) of 4 species. This allows comparative cognitive studies
at a new scale and on a new large-brained model system.
1 postdoctoral stipend on delphinid cognition and vocal learning.
This
stipend is intended to allow research on vocal learning ability and
cognition of delphinids. The successful candidate obtains access to the
necessary research equipment and subjects
kept in Zoos and will be affiliated to the Max-Planck-Institute of
Ornithology (Comparative Cognition Group).
Application requirements and selection criteria:
Applicants
should hold a PhD in animal cognition or experimental/developmental
psychology, and have two years of Postdoc research experience in animal
cognition and/or developmental psychology
of human children and should be qualified by a good publication record.
Good statistical skills in relevant subjects are desirable. High
self-motivation and ability to work independently and in a team are an
absolute must. Additionally, the position requires
team-leading skills, good organization and time management skills and
writing proficiency. Basic knowledge of Spanish is helpful. The
candidates will be selected according to their scientific qualification
and proposed project.
The
starting date will be from April 2018 but ideally no later than
September 2018. The monthly stipend for a full time engagement on
Tenerife will be up to € 2,325.- .The stipend is available
initially for two years but can be extended subject to satisfactory
performance. For further information, please contact: info@animalminds.org.
Applications
can be made both in English or German Language. Qualified women in
particular are encouraged to apply. Please submit a cover letter
(describing your research interests, experience
and goals), a short description of your proposed research project, your
CV, copies of degree certificates and a list of two references as one
single PDF via e-mail to: info@animalminds.org
Deadline for applications: 28.03.2018