GENERAL INFO
Type of Contract : FTC Scientist
Contract Period : 24 months
Expected date of employment : 1 January 2023
Proportion of work : Full time
Remuneration : Post-doc researcher: depending on level of experience (2675 – 3805 € gross)
Desired level of education : PhD
Experience required : 1 to 4 years
Contract Period : 24 months
Expected date of employment : 1 January 2023
Proportion of work : Full time
Remuneration : Post-doc researcher: depending on level of experience (2675 – 3805 € gross)
Desired level of education : PhD
Experience required : 1 to 4 years
MISSION
The Tai Chimpanzee Project (TCP) is a long-term field site situated in the Tai National Park in Côte d'Ivoire. At TCP we investigate the behavior and the cognition of wild chimpanzees and mangabeys since over 40 years. The successful candidate will conduct research on the behavior and cognition of wild chimpanzees using the available data from our longterm data base:(1) Behavioural data from five neighbouring communities of wild chimpanzees and one group of sooty mangabeys.
(2) Ranging data of the focal animals.
(3) Feeding data, including phenology data of most important food plants.
(4) Hormonal data on steroids, oxytocin, and some other biomarkers (neopterin, c-peptides, thyroid hormones).
(5) Video data on tool use, recordings of vocalisations.
ACTIVITIES
Research will be conducted in collaboration with the directors of TCP, Roman Wittig and Catherine Crockford, based at the ISC Marc Jeannerod in Lyon. The research is integrated into the Evolution of Brain Connectivity (EBC) Project, which compares behavior and cognition of primates with the brain structures of their species. Depending on future funds the position can be prolonged.SKILLS
The successful candidate will develop research questions, conduct analysis and write papers on social behavior and cognition of the Taï chimpanzees. The research is integrated in the EBC project, with a focus on chimpanzee cognition (tool use, planning, social cognition, etc.). She/he will work in the team of the Ape Social Mind Lab at the Institute for Cognitive Sciences (ISC), a research institute of the CNRS and the University of Lyon. In addition to the scientific research, she/he will support the supervision of PhD and Master students within the Ape Social Mind Lab. Depending on the research questions and experience short trips to the Taï Chimpanzee Project in Côte d'Ivoire might be permitted or necessary.
The successful candidate has a PhD in behavioural ecology, anthropology, neurobiology or cognitive sciences. She/he has experience observing and conducting research with primates, experience with wild chimpanzees will be of advantage. She/he is proficient in programming and statistical analysis in R, having worked with data bases will be of advantage. Good knowledge in English and French is important. The successful candidate can work in a team, collaborating with many people on her/his research, but be able to lead developing research ideas, conducting analysis and writing papers. Experience with the supervision of PhD and Master students is of advantage.
APPLY
Deadline 29 Sep 2022 or until position is filled
Interviews mid of October
Application link: