Research Assistant for Primatology

 The”Technological Primates Research Group” at the Max Planck Institute
for Evolutionary Anthropology in Germany seeks applicants for a Research
Assistant for Primatology Field Work.

Application deadline:  Until filled
Preferred start date: As soon as possible

About us:
The Technological Primates Research Group at the Max Planck Institute in
Germany works in close collaboration with the Department of Biology at
Chulalongkorn University. We are interested in the evolution of tool use
and culture in humans and our primate relatives. Together we compare the
tool selection patterns and material record of tool using primates
across several species, including early hominins, apes and monkeys.

Research Assistant position:
We invite applications for a 12-month research assistant position to
join our long-term study of tool-use behavior in long-tailed macaques at
Ao Phang Nga National Park, Thailand. The position involves full-day
follows of a habituated macaque group from dawn to dusk, systematic
collection of behavioral data using focal protocols, fecal sampling for
genetic and microbiome analyses, maintaining field experiments,
operation of camera traps, ecological surveys, and preparation of
reports. The field site is located in a remote tropical environment and
requires a high degree of independence, strong work ethic, and
resilience to logistical challenges such as mosquitoes, heavy rainfall,
and high temperatures. Preference will be given to candidates with prior
field experience in tropical environments.

Requirements:
- Proficiency in English is essential, and knowledge of Thai would be a
significant advantage
- proficient computer skills
- reliable and ready to provide a high level of commitment
- able to report on work progress and communicate effectively
- strong social skills and the ability to work well within a diverse
team are essential.

Field conditions are demanding, with long working hours. Team members
live in close quarters, requiring an ability to adjust to different
personalities and social norms. Please carefully assess your capacity to
handle these conditions for an extended period before applying. The
research site is in a remote tropical setting with good, though
occasionally fluctuating, internet connectivity. Access to the site is
via domestic transport, which will be covered after the successful
completion of the appointment.

* The Technological Primates Research Group upholds strict ethical
standards, with a zero-tolerance policy for any form of harassment.

What we offer:
- research assistants are trained by the PhD and post-doctoral fellows
on site.
- first-hand field research experience at an established site as part of
an international research team
- insight into diverse areas of primatological and archaeological research
- the opportunity to be an active contributor to cutting edge research
through participation in all stages of academic research (data
collection, analysis and publications)
- salary of 600 euros per month
- visa fees, international and domestic transport to and from field site
(after successful completion of the appointment)
Term of appointment: 12 months, starting as soon as possible.

How to apply:
Please submit your application electronically to Dr. Lydia Luncz
(Lydia_Luncz@eva.mpg.de) and Rohit Negi (rohit_negi@eva.mpg.de).
Your application should include a cover letter (English) and a CV (English).

Volunteer Field Research

 

Description: 

We are looking for a volunteer field research assistant for our orang-utan health project in the Sebangau peat-swamp forest, Borneo. Our orang-utan behaviour project is a long-term project started in 2003 by Helen Morrogh-Bernard (University of Exeter and Co-Founder and Director of BNF). In 2024 we started a new project on orang-utan health, so we are looking for someone who is willing to work in a field Lab and help with managing the health project. You must be willing to go on orang-utan follows in order to collect samples and be familiar with lab techniques to process urine and faecal samples. Thus, the applicant must have experience in parasitology.  

All research and analyses for this project will be done in the field, in the field lab. The field site is one hour from the provincial capital Palangkaraya, in Central Kalimantan, Borneo, Indonesia. 

Applicants for this position should have a degree or other relevant lab and field experience. Applicants must be fluent in English.  The applicant must be physically fit. The forest is a peat-swamp, which means that the walking conditions in the forest can be hard, especially in the wet season when the forest is flooded (but this is when it is most beautiful). Applicants must also be happy to live at the field camp, with local staff, and have an awareness and acceptance of cultural differences. 

This position is a volunteer position, with no formal salary, but the following costs will be covered: international and domestic flights up to £1,200, accommodation in town and in the field, living expenses (a small stipend for food when in town), travel to and from the research site, park fees, research permit and visa, a £50 contribution to personal equipment and supplies and a £250 annual contribution to your insurance costs. You will need to pay for your own basic healthcare plan and recommended vaccinations.  

There is opportunity for people to do their own research projects and a potential PhD.  

Appointment: The position is for 1 year but can be extended.  We are looking for research assistants who are adventurous, willing to learn, hardworking and can manage their own time.  

Application: Please email the following to Helen Morrogh-Bernard: h.morrogh-bernard@borneonature.org stating “Orangutan Health Project – Field Research Assistant application” in the email title. Closing date: 31st August 2026. 

Please include: A CV; a letter stating why you want the position and any relevant experience; and contact details for two people who can supply a reference.  

Exact start date depends on how long it takes to get the research permit which can vary from 2-3 months.  

Postdoctoral fellowships in Collective Behaviour - Konstanz

 

We have multiple dedicated postdoctoral fellowships for the study of collective behaviour (2 + 1 years) at the Future College and Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour in Konstanz, Germany. 

We have exceptional facilities in an exceptional location (including close proximity to a major international airport in Zurich) - and our working language is English.

You can find specifics for the fellowships here (deadline October 12 2026): https://www.uni-konstanz.de/zukunftskolleg/fellowships/postdoctoral-fellowship/

The Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour (https://www.exc.uni-konstanz.de/collective-behaviour/about-us/overview/) is a global interdisciplinary hub for the study of collectives. A collaboration between the University of Konstanz and the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour we have over 160 scholars, the vast majority of whom are international, with a dedicated new research building (https://www.exc.uni-konstanz.de/collective-behaviour/research/facilities/centre-for-visual-computing-of-collectives/) and a large forthcoming investment in our collective behaviour community (https://www.uni-konstanz.de/en/university/news-and-media/current-announcements/news-in-detail/hector-stiftung-reinforces-world-class-research-and-innovation/). 

If the timing doesn’t work for you now, we will have further fellowships for PhD students and postdocs to be announced in the Spring!

Research Assistant position

 Research Associate (m/f/d)
(Salary level E 13 TV-L, 63,3 %)

The Comparative BioCognition Research Group (Prof. Dr. Simone Pika) of the Institute of Cognitive Science at Osnabrück University is seeking to appoint a Research Associate to start work as early as possible for a period of 3 years. 

The position allows for further scientific qualification (Ph.D).

Your duties:

The position involves participation in the research and teaching activities of the Comparative BioCognition group at Osnabrueck University in the domain of nonhuman animals’ cognition, communication, trust, and their evolutionary trajectories. The core of the work will be on tackling the evolutionary roots of human trust by studying interactions of chimpanzees living in two different communities in the Loango National Park, Gabon and the Taï National Park, Côte D’Ivoire, and investigating linked demographic and social factors. The research associate will contribute to ongoing long-term data collection efforts at the Taï field site, analyze already existing video footage, and develop his/her own research questions within the scope of the broader focus on trust and involved communicative and social factors. 

The position involves teaching Cognitive Science courses at B.Sc. and M.Sc. levels (2,5 semester hours).

Requirements:

• An academic degree (Master/Diploma) in Biology, Evolutionary, Anthropology, Psychology, Cognitive Science or related fields and a strong background in animal behaviour, communication, cognition or trust
• Experience in carrying out field observations and collecting and annotating systematic data on social living honhuman primates
• Salient expertise in conducting statistical analyses using R, LMM’s and GLMM’s or Bayesian Statistics
• Very good written and spoken English skills
• Fluency in French

Desired qualifications:

The ideal candidate has 

• Experience in behavioural, social or communicative analyses, and demonstrates eagerness for developing his/her skills in the other
• The willingness, physical and psychological ability to conduct ecology field work in Africa across several months (in the Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire)
• Strong social skills, affinity to collaborative work and the ability to work in an intercultural and remote environment

Osnabrück University is a family-friendly University and is committed to helping working parents balance their family and working lives. Osnabrück University is committed to equal opportunities, diversity, and the professional equality of the genders. We promote a culture of science and work that enables fair opportunities and a discrimination-free environment for learning, teaching, and working. In doing so, we strive for fair representation of all social groups among our staff and work to counteract underrepresentation.

Applications from people with severe disabilities and those treated as equivalent under applicable law will be given preferential consideration where candidates are equally qualified.

Please submit your application with the usual supporting documentation (proof of diploma, CV and cover letter) by e-mail in a single PDF file to Prof. Dr. Simone Pika (spika@uos.de) with a cc to  office@ikw.uni-osnabrueck.de no later than September 10, 2026. Further information can be obtained from Prof. Dr. Simone Pika (spika@uos.de).

We look forward to receiving your application.

PhD student and postdoc position on innovation in great apes

 we are looking for qualified applicants for a fully funded 3-year PhD project and a 3-year postdoc position on innovation in great apes. This position is part of the FWF Emerging Fields project "Comparative Ecological Innovation Styles" (CEIS), an interdisciplinary research program comparing innovation across great apes, corvids, and parrots. The successful candidates will be part of the Unit Cognition and Applied Ethology at the Messerli Research Institute (https://www.vetmeduni.ac.at/en/messerli) and work in close collaboration with the other researchers involved in the CEIS project.

You can find the complete ads here:
PhD student position: https://share.eva.mpg.de/index.php/s/mmQAKxJqwDERZkP?dir=/&editing=false&openfile=true
Postdoc position: https://share.eva.mpg.de/index.php/s/XFTNzcr7d2XWtKi?dir=/&editing=false&openfile=true

Deadline: All electronic applications received by August 17th, 2026 will be considered.
Contact: Christoph Völter (Christoph.Voelter@vetmeduni.ac.at)
Institute: Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna (Vetmeduni Vienna)

OFFRE DE THÈSE CIFRE

 Mesure des perceptions de douleur chez la crevette, à l’échelle neuronale et comportementale, lors d’un choc thermique au froid, en condition d’abattage
Objectif
La production de crevettes à l’échelle mondiale est en forte expansion, avec des pratiques d’élevage très di?érentes selon les bassins. Concernant l’abattage, le choc thermique par le froid est la méthode la plus répandue, mais l’abattage avec étourdissement électrique tend à se développer. Cependant, très peu de travaux ont portés sur les mécanismes de mise à mort des crevettes, avec des indicateurs d’inconscience très controversés (Weineck et al, 2018 ; CIWF, 2020 ; Birch et al, 2021 ; Neil et al, 2024 ; Somerville et al, 2026).
Cette thèse a pour objectif de mesurer les perceptions de douleur chez la crevette, à l’échelle neuronale et comportementale, lors d’un choc thermique par le froid et d’étudier les éventuelles pistes en vue d’un abattage respectueux en conditions commerciales.
4 axes ont été prédéfinis pour répondre à cette problématique :
1. Mesurer l’activité cérébrale lors d’un choc thermique et l’interpréter vis-à-vis de la douleur ressentie par la crevette, en parallèle de réactions comportementales
2. Distinguer paralysie et insensibilité, d’un point de vue neuronal et comportemental
3. Dégager des pistes de réflexions et de travail dans l’objectif d’améliorer les pratiques actuelles d’abattage
4. Identifier et valider scientifiquement des indicateurs d’inconscience applicables en conditions commerciales
Profil recherché, compétences et aptitudes requises
• Master en neurosciences ou en sciences du comportement
• Expérience en recherche et en étude du comportement, si possible en lien avec l’étude des paramètres physiologiques
• Niveau applicateur en expérimentation animale : formation validée exigée pour le démarrage de la thèse (modalités de financement à discuter)
• Autonomie, travail en équipe, bienveillance et sens de l’humour
• Permis B
• Français courant ; anglais lu et écrit
Les plus :
• Expérience sur le bien-être animal et/ou sur la physiologie du stress
• Connaissances ou expérience en aquaculture et/ou en décapodes
• Connaissances en langage de programmation Python
Cadre de l’accueil
La thèse se déroulera au Centre d’Etude en Ethologie et Cognition (UMR6552 – CEEC) hébergé au sein du Centre de Recherche en Environnement Côtier (CREC – Luc-sur-Mer) de l’Université de Caen avec quelques déplacements en France. Une partie des travaux se réaliseront en télétravail et en interaction avec les membres du bureau Bankiva. Des déplacements en Europe et à l’international sont également à prévoir pour la partie terrain et pour les congrès.
Financement de la thèse
Ce projet de recherche est issu de la collaboration depuis plusieurs années entre le bureau Bankiva et l’Université de Caen, il s’adossera, le cas échéant, sur un financement CIFRE (Convention Industrielles de Formation par la Recherche) visant à favoriser le développement de la recherche partenariale publique-privé et de placer le candidat dans de bonnes conditions d’emploi. L’obtention de ce financement auprès de l’ANRT nécessite au préalable la sélection d’un candidat. Le début de la thèse sera envisagé au premier trimestre 2027.
Superviseurs de la thèse
Julien Bacqué Cazenave (maître de conférences, université de Caen), Christelle Jozet-Alves (maître de conférences, université de Caen) et Lola Reverchon-Billot (éthologue, bureau Bankiva)
Présentation du bureau Bankiva
Créé en 2014, le bureau Bankiva accompagne tout organisme sincèrement motivé par l'amélioration du bien-être des animaux d'élevage, en lui apportant conseils et expertise en éthologie et sur les enjeux français et européens. Ses activités s'adaptent aux demandes et contextes des filières et s’articulent autour du pilotage de groupes de travail thématiques, de l'animation de processus de dialogue entre les parties prenantes, de sensibilisation, de l’élaboration et la mise en œuvre de travaux R&D, de la rédaction de synthèses bibliographiques, etc.
Plus d'informations sur www.bankiva.fr
Présentation de l’unité de recherche
Le/La thésard sera accueilli(e) en partie dans le laboratoire CEEC de l’Université de Caen. Cette unité de recherche (nouvellement restructurée à partir du laboratoire ETHOS) s’intéresse aux différentes stratégies cognitives des espèces dans leur environnement. Ce projet de thèse s’intègrera dans les travaux de recherche de l’unité en lien avec la sentience animale. Le candidat bénéficiera de toute l’expertise en étude des comportements et en neurophysiologie de l’unité, ainsi que des structures d’élevage et expérimentale. Julien Bacqué-Cazenave, maître de conférences, spécialisé sur la neurophysiologie et le comportement des décapodes, l’encadrera dans les locaux de la station marine de Luc-sur-Mer.
Plus d’informations sur https://ethos.univ-rennes.fr/interlocuteurs/julien-bacque-cazenave-0 et
sur https://www.unicaen.fr/universite/decouvrir/
Modalités de candidature
Pour postuler, merci d’envoyer, au plus tard le 30 août, CV, lettre de motivation, résultats de master, rapport de master 2 et deux références sur les deux adresses suivantes : lola.reverchon-billot@bankiva.fr et julien.bacque-cazenave@unicaen.fr.