We are
looking for a postdoctoral researcher to investigate how non-human primates
perceive, represent and communicate reality. This research will contribute
towards the larger goal of understanding whether or how human cognition is
qualitatively different from other primates to advance theories of cognitive
evolution, including the origins of language.
The
successful candidate will collect observational data and design field
experiments with sooty mangabeys, a species that lives in large multi-male,
multi-female groups and that forages terrestrially near our research station in
Tai National Park, Ivory Coast.
The
position will in collaboration with the National Centre of Competence in
Research (NCCR) Evolving Language www.evolvinglanguage.ch, a
consortium with the ambitious goal of creating a new discipline, Evolutionary
Language Science, that targets the past and future of language. The consortium
consists of scientists from traditionally separated academic domains, which
allows us to harvest the diverse expertise from the humanities, social
sciences, computational sciences, natural sciences and medicine towards a
broadscale interdisciplinary collaboration.
The
successful candidate is expected to
- have a Ph.D. degree in a relevant
discipline
- possess an academic background in
animal behaviour with relevant field experience
- design and implement field studies
- collect data in the Tai National
Park for a cumulative period of 24 months
- carry out administrative duties for
the Tai Monkey Project
- participate in academic life while
at the University of Neuchatel
The
position is available from 1 June 2024 (negotiable) for a maximum
duration of 4 years. We will start reviewing applications from 15 May.
To apply,
please compile the following documents into a single PDF labelled
‘YourSurname.pdf’ and send it to patricia.desmeules@unine.ch with the
subject line “Animal Meaning Postdoc”
- Cover letter
- Curriculum vitae, with publication
list
- Contact details of two referees
The University of Neuchâtel
is committed to providing non-discriminatory working conditions. We
take gender balance and diversity seriously in our hiring decisions.
Shortlisted candidates will be evaluated by a recruitment committee.