Doctoral/Postdoctoral Position in Comparative and Developmental Psychology ( O p e n c a l l )

 (PhD part-time 65 % / Postdoc full-time 100% E 13 TV-L)
The start date is as soon as possible (reviewing candidates on a rolling basis). The position is available for
three years.
The University of Konstanz is one of eleven Universities of Excellence in Germany. Since 2007 it has been successful in the
German Excellence Initiative and its follow-up programme, the Excellence Strategy.
The successful candidate would be integrated into the interdisciplinary research environment of the Centre for the Advanced Study
of Collective Behaviour (CASCB) and the International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS-QBEE), which offers an international
main hub on collective and animal behaviour with a range of further internal funding opportunities. The PhD or postdoc position is
available as part of a larger project investigating the evolutionary, developmental and cultural origins of human cooperative sociality
led by Jun. Prof Raphaela Heesen. The project is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and provides a unique
opportunity for candidates wishing to conduct cutting-edge research on the foundational communicative and emotional
mechanisms underlying joint action in human children across the ages three-, five-, and ten years. The candidate will employ
state-of-the-art methods and technologies while collaborating closely with team members to conduct systematic cross-group
analyses. These will include comparative studies involving nonhuman primates such as chimpanzees, bonobos and Callitrichid
monkeys. The research has a strong interdisciplinary focus at the intersection of biology, primatology, linguistics, anthropology,
psychology and computer vision. The working language is English, but German language skills are recommended given data
collection procedures in Germany.
Your responsibilities Your Competencies We Offer
– Conduct a doctoral thesis
(Dissertation) or postdoc
– Data collection with human children
in Germany and possibly Uganda
(observational and experimental
methods)
– Code and categorize behaviors and
communication (gestures, facial
expressions, language)
– Writing of academic papers and
preparation of oral presentations at
national/international conferences
– Contribute to the broader aims of the
interdisciplinary project (including
cross-species and cross-cultural
comparisons in collaboration with
other team members)
– Analyze data using advanced
statistical methods (e.g., Bayesian
regression models)
– Analyze data from motion tracking
and posture recognition systems, set
up tracking rooms
– Mentoring junior researchers in the
lab
– Completed master’s (/ doctoral)
degree in psychology, biology,
linguistics, evolutionary
anthropology or in a related
discipline
– Strong written and oral
communications skills in English and
German (to work at German KiTas)
– Experience in working with children
– High level of interpersonal skills and
the ability to work collaboratively in
diverse teams
– Skills in designing experiments and
collecting observational data
– Advanced skills in statistical data
analyses
– Programming experience is desirable
(e.g., Python, R)
– Experience in using thermal-imaging
and applying tracking technology is
encouraged
– Experience and/or interest in
applying computer vision methods
for posture estimation
– Strong career development
mentoring
– An open and ambitious
interdisciplinary research team
– Access to innovative technologies
and resources in the field of
comparative cognition and
behavioural biology
– A dynamic, interdisciplinary research
environment with collaborative and
further funding opportunities within
the CASCB
– Comprehensive academic development
support, including training and mentoring
– Structured guidance toward acquiring
independent research funding and
preparing for a postdoctoral career
– A vibrant academic community in the
attractive and livable city of Konstanz,
located by Lake Constance
We look forward to receiving your application including your CV, cover letter, 2 reference letters and reference contacts
including phone numbers & email until 01.04.2026 by email to Jun. Prof Raphaela Heesen: raphaela.heesen@uni-
konstanz.de. Questions can also be directed to R. Heesen.
The University of Konstanz is committed to ensuring an environment that provides equal opportunities and promotes diversity, as well as a good balance between
university and family life. As an equal opportunity employer, we strive to increase the number of women working in research and teaching. We also support working
couples through our dual career programme. Persons with disabilities are explicitly encouraged to apply. They will be given preference if appropriately qualified (contact
sbv@uni-konstanz.de, + 49 7531 88-4016).