Hiring Organization:
University of Vienna
Position Description:
The department of Cognitive Biology, research group of
Prof. Thomas Bugnyar, has funding available for a three year post-doc position
in Socio-Cognition. The post-doc will be part of a small team lead by Dr. Jorg
Massen studying the evolution of pro-social concern.
The evolution of altruistic behaviour remains a conundrum
in behavioural biology. Nonetheless, other-regarding behaviour is regularly
observed in a variety of species. Therefore, the aim of this project is to
investigate the evolutionary origins of pro-social behaviour. By testing
several species from two phylogenetic very distant orders (i.e. primates and
corvids) the project will allow testing clear hypotheses regarding convergent
evolution and several specific socio-ecological pressures that may have led to
the evolution of pro-sociality. The project will involve several behavioural
experiments on a total of 5 species: i.e. human children, common marmosets,
long-tailed macaques, common ravens and azure-winged magpies.
Qualifications/Experience:
Required qualifications
• A Ph.D. in
Behavioural Biology or a related field
• Excellent
knowledge of English
• Experience
with designing and conducting behavioural experiments
• Knowledge of
theories about the evolution of socio-positive behaviours
• Strong
knowledge of (non-parametric) statistics
• Independence
• Endurance
Beneficial qualifications
• Experience
with working with corvids
• Experience
with working with primates
• Experience
with working with human children
• Experience
with supervising students
Salary/funding:
The 3-year post-doc position is fully paid (40
hours/week) by the Austrian Science Foundation (FWF, Project Number P-26806)
and is based at the University of Vienna, Austria (http://cogbio.univie.ac.at).
Support provided for internship/volunteer positions
(travel, meals, lodging):
n.a.
Term of Appointment:
01 July 2014 - 30 June 2017
Application Deadline:
15 May 2014
Comments:
Letters of application including CV, photograph,
publication list, 2-3 letters of recommendation and a statement of research
interests should be sent to Mrs. Petra Pesak, MSc. by E-mail (petra.pesak@univie.ac.at) until May
15th, 2014. Planned interview dates are at the start of June, 2014. Planned
starting date is July 1st, 2014.
The University of Vienna promotes the employment of women
in fields of work in which they are underrepresented and therefore encourages
qualified women to apply to this opening. Disabled people will be
preferentially treated if qualified.
Contact Information:
Petra Pesak
Althanstrasse 14
Vienna, none 1090
Austria
Telephone Number:
+43 1 427776101
Website:
E-mail Address: