We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to test hypotheses in animal signal evolution by conducting large-scale, population-level surveys of natural communication in genera with multiple closely-related species with homologous calls (e.g., Pan, gibbons, macaques, guenons, canids), but also meerkats and orcas. We will complement these datasets with publicly available birdsong data from species with dialectal variants. We will place particular emphasis on call combinations as sources of flexibility.
The successful candidate will manage all aspects data acquisition
(automated microphone arrays, individually fitted voice recorders and existing
databases) and segment data streams into a large database to test hypotheses of
signal repertoire evolution.
The position is funded by the National Centre of Competence in Research
(NCCR) Evolving Language www.evolvinglanguage.ch,
a Swiss 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 leading 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
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hold a PhD degree in a relevant discipline
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demonstrate an academic background in animal
behaviour
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possess/acquire proficiency in data
management, programming and advanced statistics
The position is for a maximum duration of 4 years. Salary is
according to the pay scale of the Swiss National Science Foundation. The
position is available until filled; we will start reviewing applications from 1
June 2024.
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 Signal Postdoc”
Cover letter
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Curriculum vitae
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Publication list
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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.