Research Associate (Full-time) – Macaque facial expressions
Hiring Organization:
University of Portsmouth, Department of Psychology
Date Posted:
Feb 17, 2020
Position Description:
The
Research Associate will work on a research project involving the
application of a new analytical method to quantify the complexity of
communication via the face, by combining the Facial Action Coding System
and Social Network Analysis. The Research Fellow will contribute to the
application of the methodology and data collection in several captive
and/or wild macaque species, and will work closely with a PhD student
and another Research Associate on the project.
Humans
and other primates are capable of incredibly subtle and meaningful
facial movements that are important channels of communication. Current
evidence suggests that species characterised by more complex social
systems (e.g. large social groups, individualised, diverse and long-term
relationships) have more complex communication systems, in order to
deal with their complex social lives.
Testing
this hypothesis is hampered by the dominant theoretical approach which
conceptualises facial expressions as static configurations of the face,
reflecting categorical internal states such as anger or fear (i.e.
universal emotions). Scientists are trying to approximate complexity by
forcing a species’ facial behaviour into these arbitrary categories,
resulting in a number (usually between 2 and 10) used to compare
species. We believe that this arbitrary classification is highly
subjective, and does not account for the subtlety, variability and
dynamism of communication via the face. First, the expressions may
differ anatomically. Second, the expressions might blend with others,
incorporate additional muscle movements at times, and link with others
in complex sequences. Third, the expressions may not have the same
duration and temporal dynamics. We will abandon the traditional
categorical emotion approach to measuring facial expression, and instead
develop a new theoretical and methodological framework.
First,
we will build a new tool (NetFACS) to measure the complexity of
species’ facial repertoire by a series of continuous measures. We will
combine an anatomically-based system to identify facial muscle movements
(FACS: Facial Action Coding System), with a network approach which
measures the relationships between units in a system (SNA: Social
Network Analysis). NetFACS will measure the dynamic nature of facial
movements and allow analysis of complexity at different hierarchical
levels (individual muscle movements, sets of movements and the
transitions between movements and sets of movements). This approach has
the potential to radically change the study of facial expressions and
open up new channels to investigate the evolution of complex
communication, including language. Second, using NetFACS, we will test
the hypothesis that social complexity drives the evolution of facial
communication complexity. We will compare four closely related species
characterised by different degrees of social complexity: rhesus,
long-tailed, Barbary, and crested macaques.
Application instructions and more details about the post can be found here:
Qualifications/Experience:
No
|
Attributes
|
Rating
|
Source
|
1.
|
Specific Knowledge & Experience
| ||
Experience in advanced quantitative data analysis methods using R
|
E
| ||
Experience in programming, modelling and simulation using R
|
D
| ||
Experience with the Facial Action Coding System
|
D
| ||
Experience with Social Network Analysis
|
D
| ||
Experience of writing research article and funding applications
|
E
| ||
Experience in behavioural observation methods
|
E
| ||
Experience in video coding
|
E
| ||
Research experience in Animal Behaviour or related field
|
E
| ||
Previous experience of successfully managing a research project through to completion
|
D
| ||
Previous experience of managing staff
|
D
| ||
2.
|
Skills & Abilities
| ||
Ability to predict and solve problems when they occur
|
E
| ||
Ability to plan, organise and prioritise workloads
|
E
| ||
Good communication and interpersonal skills
|
E
| ||
Good report writing skills
|
E
| ||
Statistical data analysis skills
|
E
| ||
Excellent presentation skills
|
E
| ||
Project Management skills
|
D
| ||
3.
|
Qualifications, Education & Training
| ||
Completed PhD in relevant subject or equivalent professional experience
|
E
| ||
4.
|
Other Requirements
| ||
Ability to motivate and engage others in research
|
E
| ||
Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team
|
E
| ||
Ability to work to tight deadlines
|
E
|
Salary/funding:
£27,511 - £30,046 per annum
Term of Appointment:
Fixed-term position, Full-time, 26 months, April 2020 start.
Application Deadline:
8th March 2020
Contact Information:
University of Portsmouth, Department of Psychology, Centre for Comparative and Evolutionary Psychology.
Telephone Number:
+44 239284 6330
Website:
E-mail Address: