PhD Position for Research Training Group “Situated Cognition”

Hiring Organization:
Research Training Group „Situated Cognition“

Project Leader: Simone Pika
Chair for Comparative Biocognition, University Osnabrück, Germany

Date Posted:
2020-01-07

Position Description:
PhD position for research project: “The evolutionary roots of situated communication: The impact of the social environment on communicative interactions of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)”

Start of Position: 1^st June 2020

Abstract: Situated approaches on cognition postulate that cognition is primarily based on reciprocal real-time interactions of embodied agents with their environments (Stephan, Walter, & Wilutzky, 2014). Although a considerably bulk of work has been focusing on how human communicative interactions are extended by aspects of the social environment (e.g. Cutting & Dunn, 2006; Eibl-Eibesfeldt, 1988), relatively little is known about the evolutionary roots of situated communication. To date, recent studies on nonhuman primates suggested that distinct aspects such as age, cooperation, strength of social bond and degree of tolerance may impact upon the complexity of communicative exchanges (for a recent review see Pika, Wilkinson, Kendrick, & Vernes, 2018). However, the impact of social components on communication propensities remains obscure. Hence in this project, we will shed light on this crucial question by studying the communicative behavior of one of humans’ closest living relative, the chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes), living in its natural environment. We will use a unique combination of behavioural observations and computational modelling, to test whether ‘pro-social’ versus ‘non-pro-social’, or ‘tolerant’ versus ‘non-tolerant’ variants may independently or through interaction impact upon the complexity of communicative interactions.

Qualifications/Experience: Expected is an excellent Master in Biology, or Cognitive Science (if the candidate does not have a master in Biology or Cognitive Science than the candidate should at least have written a BA- or Master Thesis in Biology/Comparative Psychology or Cognitive Science). Ideally the candidate has a proven expertise in at least one of the following areas: animal cognition, animal communication or social cognition. Field experience with nonhuman primates in their natural environments (preferably Africa) and in computational modelling is mandatory.

Formal title: Dr. rer. nat. or PhD in Biology/Cognitive Science

Contact Information:

Prof. Dr. Simone Pika
Comparative Biocognition
Institute of Cognitive Science
University of Osnabrück
Artilleriestr. 34, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany
www.comparative-biocognition.de

Telephone Number:
0049 541 9692721

E-mail Address:
spika@uos.de