Two PhD (postdoc) Positions in the Evolutionary Cognition Group

 We are offering two 4-year PhD positions in the Evolutionary Cognition Group of the Department of
Evolutionary Anthropology at the University of Zurich.
The candidates will be hired for the SNF project The Evolutionary Roots of Altercentrism. In a broader
team, we investigate whether altercentric effects on cognition are unique to humans, or instead also
present in nonhuman primates. A strong focus is on the cooperatively breeding marmosets, who may be
particularly susceptible to altercentric influences, and on how altercentrism may be influenced by dyadic
and group properties such as bond strength, prosociality, and inter-individual synchronization at various
levels (physiological with thermography, hormonal, behavioral and communicative). To identify
evolutionary pathways toward altercentrism, additional nonhuman primate species will be tested.
The project combines cutting-edge technologies: experiments and observations supported by computer
vision and machine learning, gaze tracking, thermography, hormonal analyses, automated sound location
and RIFD controlled tasks. Candidates with expertise in at least one oft these techniques are particularly
welcome to apply.
The successful candidate is expected to
- be interested in animal cognition and communication and contribute to shaping the project
- perform cognitive tests and collect observational data with marmosets
- have previous experience with one of the above mentioned techniques, or a strong interest in it
- collect data in additional nonhuman primate species
- possess a solid background in statistics and data processing
- be fluent in English (oral, written)
Candidates should have a Msc degree or equivalent and a relevant training background in Biology,
Psychology, or Evolutionary Anthropology. They will be part of the PhD program in Evolutionary Biology
of the University of Zurich. The start of the positions is ideally in October 2026, or upon agreement. We
may also consider postdoc applications for one of the positions.
Please submit your application in a single pdf to judith.burkart@iea.uzh.ch, ideally until May 20, 2026.
Applications should include a cover letter stating your motivation and how your expertise fits in this
project (1 page), a CV, a copy of the highest degree obtained, and the names of two referees.
We take gender balance and diversity seriously in our hiring decisions