Taï Chimpanzee Project
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, GER
Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d’Ivoire, BP 1303, Abidjan 01, Côte d’Ivoire
PHD POSITION & CAMP MANAGER
SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR, COGNITION AND CULTURE IN CHIMPANZEES OF THE TAÏ NATIONAL PARK, CÔTE D’IVOIRE
We are offering a PhD position working on a topic related to social behaviour, cognition and culture in wild chimpanzees. In addition the PhD candidate will be responsible for the management of the Taï Chimpanzee Project (50% of working time). The position will start on January 1, 2021, (or a.s.a.p. afterwards) and will require to stay several years at the Taï Chimpanzee Project, Côte d’Ivoire. Our general interest is to understand the cognition (action planning) and behavioural diversity of wild chimpanzees. We are looking across several neighbouring communities of chimpanzees in Tai National Park.
Qualification and requirements:
MSc (or comparable degree) in Biology, Evolutionary Anthropology or Evolutionary Psychology. Good knowledge in evolutionary biology, animal behaviour, ecology and social cognition are crucial for a successful application, as well as experience in managing a field site. Previous observations and detailed behavioural data collection on wild mammals are of advantage. The PhD candidate will need to work independently in a remote and physically demanding tropical forest habitat. Good social and communication skills are important to work and live amongst a group of international colleagues and local staff with different cultural backgrounds. Resilience to psychological and physical stress is conditional. The successful candidate is fluent in French and English. Previous experience with field work will be beneficial to the application.
Salary / funding:
The position is funded for 3 + 1 year. After collecting data at the field-site, the successful candidate will write a research proposal to apply for grant money.
Start and term of appointment:
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Primatology
Starting January 2021, or as soon as possible afterwards, the successful applicant will be located for at least two years in the Tai National Park (2021 and 2022). Tenure of the position is three years (+ one possible year extension).
Comments: Applications include a cover letter stating research interest and experience, field experience and experience of managing field sites, a detailed curriculum vitae, a short research proposal in the realm of chimpanzee sociality and the names and e-mail addresses of three referees.
The application documents should be sent electronically to wittig@eva.mpg.de. The evaluation of applications will start on December 10, 2020, and applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Contact information:
Dr. Roman Wittig
MPI EVA, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany+49 341 3550 215
www.taichimps.org