We are seeking a PhD student to study the link between social and vocal
complexity in birds. Vocalizations in birds can be socially learned and
culturally transmitted, leading to a mosaic of distinct vocal dialects
across populations. Theories of the evolution of vocal systems have
proposed the “social-complexity” hypothesis, which asserts that the
diversity and complexity of communication signals is driven by the
complexity of social interactions within groups, at both the proximate
(individual, ecological) and ultimate (species, evolutionary) levels.
This project will provide an empirical test of the social-complexity
hypothesis. First, the student will investigate the interplay between
social dynamics, population structure, and vocal call types in a wild
parrot. Second, the project will include a comparative analysis across
psittaciformes. The position is fully funded for 4 years, and open to
students of any nationality.
Announcement Link: http://www.orn.mpg.de/4147493/aplin2019
Position Details: Research will involve collecting and analyzing demographic, behavioral, and acoustic data from multiple populations of birds, as well as conducting a comparative analysis of the published literature in parrots (order Psittaciformes). Experimental work in captivity or the wild addressing mechanisms of social learning and cultural transmission of vocal communication is also possible.
Research Community: The student will be a member of the International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Organismal Biology, a cooperative doctoral program between the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology and the University of Konstanz. The student will also be integrated with the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, in the Department of Human Behavior, Ecology and Culture, where statistical and quantitative training in cultural evolutionary analyses will take place. The student should therefore be prepared to spend significant time in both locations.
Qualifications: Research will involve extensive independent field work, experimental work, bioacoustics analysis and quantitative data analysis. The ideal candidate should have experience in at least one of these areas as well as a strong desire to learn new skills. Demonstrated ability to engage in independent research is expected. Applicants should have a masters degree or equivalent in ecology, animal behavior, zoology, or a related subject. The working language of the group is English, and German language skills are not a requirement.
Location: Radolfzell (Konstanz) and Leipzig, Germany.
Application Process: Applicants should apply via the IMPRS application system (due 15 January 2019, http://www.orn.mpg.de/2383/Application). Please include a CV, 1 page statement of your research interests, and contact details for at least two references. Start date will be between June and September of 2019.
Keywords: social complexity, cultural evolution, vocal learning, social systems, parrots, birds
Advisors: Mary Brooke McElreath (mary_mcelreath@eva.mpg.de) and Lucy Aplin (laplin@orn.mpg.de)
Max Planck Institute for Ornithology & Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
Announcement Link: http://www.orn.mpg.de/4147493/aplin2019
Position Details: Research will involve collecting and analyzing demographic, behavioral, and acoustic data from multiple populations of birds, as well as conducting a comparative analysis of the published literature in parrots (order Psittaciformes). Experimental work in captivity or the wild addressing mechanisms of social learning and cultural transmission of vocal communication is also possible.
Research Community: The student will be a member of the International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Organismal Biology, a cooperative doctoral program between the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology and the University of Konstanz. The student will also be integrated with the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, in the Department of Human Behavior, Ecology and Culture, where statistical and quantitative training in cultural evolutionary analyses will take place. The student should therefore be prepared to spend significant time in both locations.
Qualifications: Research will involve extensive independent field work, experimental work, bioacoustics analysis and quantitative data analysis. The ideal candidate should have experience in at least one of these areas as well as a strong desire to learn new skills. Demonstrated ability to engage in independent research is expected. Applicants should have a masters degree or equivalent in ecology, animal behavior, zoology, or a related subject. The working language of the group is English, and German language skills are not a requirement.
Location: Radolfzell (Konstanz) and Leipzig, Germany.
Application Process: Applicants should apply via the IMPRS application system (due 15 January 2019, http://www.orn.mpg.de/2383/Application). Please include a CV, 1 page statement of your research interests, and contact details for at least two references. Start date will be between June and September of 2019.
Keywords: social complexity, cultural evolution, vocal learning, social systems, parrots, birds
Advisors: Mary Brooke McElreath (mary_mcelreath@eva.mpg.de) and Lucy Aplin (laplin@orn.mpg.de)
Max Planck Institute for Ornithology & Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology