The Neuroethology of Communication Lab
(headed by Attila Andics) is looking for excellent candidates who are
interested in pursuing a PhD education in comparative cognitive
neuroscience, exploring the neural bases of vocal communication and
language in multiple species. The lab is hosted by the Department of
Ethology, Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), Budapest, a world-leading
centre of ethological and brain imaging research in dogs.
Work environment: Eötvös Loránd University is the
largest university in Hungary. Our modern, green campus is located next
to the river Danube, close to the centre of Budapest, with
state-of-the-art facilities. The research will be conducted within the Family Dog Project,
at the Department of Ethology. The internationally renowned group was
founded in 1994 to study the behavioural and cognitive aspects of the
dog-human relationship. It is one of the largest dog research groups in
the world, with over 150 published papers in
peer-reviewed journals. It hosts more than 20 PhD students and
postdoctoral researchers, offering a safe, supportive, stimulating and
multidisciplinary research environment. PhD students have the
opportunity to regularly present their work at international conferences
and meetings, and are encouraged and supported to apply for competitive
career development fellowships towards the end of their project.
Research group: Our research group strives to better
understand how biology and culture shaped the evolution of
communication and language. In particular, we aim at distinguishing
common mammalian traits and human-specific traits in the processing of
vocal and linguistic signals, using behavioural and neuroimaging
methods. Our team is among the very few worldwide capable of conducting
fMRI and EEG studies on awake, unrestrained, cooperating animals. We
have also launched the Family Pig Project with miniature pigs that are
raised as pets and trained intensely for different neuroethological
projects. Researchers of the lab
are experts in biology, psychology, neuroscience, veterinary science,
behavioural sciences, animal training and psycholinguistics. Our
research group is funded by the Lendület programme of the Hungarian
Academy of Sciences, the National Research, Development and Innovation
Office, and the Eötvös Loránd University. Further information about the
group here.
What we expect from you: The ideal candidate has a
MSc/MA degree in cognitive (neuro)science, psychology, biology,
psycholinguistics or a related discipline, with a good academic track
record. Furthermore, the applicant is expected to have advanced English
skills, to be enthusiastic and dedicated to learn new skills and strive
for scientific excellence, to be able to work independently, but also in
a multidisciplinary team.
Your PhD project: Dependent on your
expertise/interest, your PhD research project will focus on
neuroscientific and/or behavioural investigations of social, vocal
and/or verbal processing capacities of humans, dogs and/or pigs in a
comparative ethological framework. You will be trained in all necessary
skills to become an independent researcher of the field. During the
4-year doctoral programme you will have the unique opportunity to gain
in-depth knowledge about state-of-the-art comparative neuroscientific
and ethological research methods. A detailed project plan has to be
prepared in cooperation with your prospective supervisor and submitted
by 31 May 2019.
Doctoral Programme: If your application is successful, you will enroll in the Ethology Doctoral Programme of the ELTE Doctoral School in Biology,
and perform your doctoral research as a member of the Neuroethology of
Communication Lab, under the supervision of Attila Andics. The full-time
position(s) are initially for 2 years, with possible prolongation for
up to 4 years. The amount of the national scholarship is net 140,000 HUF
in the first 2 years, and 180,000 HUF in years 3-4 per month. Based on
performance additional financial support might be provided. Information
on the cost of living in Budapest is here.
How to apply: Please send your CV, a motivation letter and contact information of one reference to Attila Andics (attila.andics@ttk.elte.hu).
Application deadline: as soon as possible, to allow enough time to
prepare a detailed project plan before the end of May. Application for
the doctoral programme and for the national scholarship: 31 May 2019.