Institute
of Biology , Leiden
University , Leiden ,
NL (Prof Dr Carel ten Cate, Dr Katharina Riebel) in collaboration with the Max
Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen
(Prof Dr Simon Fisher) and the Free University of Berlin
This
project on the role of FoxPs in vocal perception and production learning is
part of nine PhD-positions funded by the NWO Gravitation Programme which was
granted to the Dutch Research Consortium 'Language in Interaction'
The
discovery that the FOXP2 gene is implicated in speech and language provided the
first molecular windows into this trait. One way to decipher the roles of genes
such as FOXP2 is through comparative research using songbirds - birds that
acquire their songs by auditory-guided vocal learning. Using FoxP knockdown
technology, the aim of this project is to assess functions of zebra finch FoxP
genes for a novel subject: the perception, discrimination and processing of
vocalizations, such as natural songs, along with strings of song elements
organized according to artificial grammar algorithms. This promises unique
insights into evolutionary precursors of linguistic function in non-speaking
species.
This
project will involve collaborative work to be carried out at Leiden
University (where the candidate will
be appointed), the MPI at Nijmegen
Requirements:
Candidates
must have a Master’s degree in biology or biomedical science and a solid
background in molecular genetics, cell biology or neurobiology.
For
more background on terms of appointment, the consortium and the application
procedure: see
Further
information on the project:
Prof.
Carel ten Cate, C.J.ten.Cate@biology.leidenuniv.nl
and/or Prof. Simon Fisher, Simon.Fisher@mpi.nl