PhD position “Selective attention in wild macaques” (all genders welcome) (Department of Behavioral Ecology) (ID 15859)

Einrichtung: Department of Behavioral Ecology (ID 15859)

Ansprechpartner: Prof. Dr. Julia Ostner

Besetzungsdatum: 01.01.2022

Veröffentlichungsdatum: 05.11.2021

For a new research network to be established at the Georg-August-University of Göttingen, the department of Behavioral Ecology (https://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/153624.html) offers a

PhD position “Selective attention in wild macaques” (all genders welcome)

This is a 65 % position (currently 25,87h/week) initially for three years, with the possibility for extension until December 31st, 2025. The earliest starting time for this position is January 1st, 2022.

Across several projects, the research network will investigate how fundamental cognitive functions and their neurobiological foundations contribute to human and nonhuman primate social behaviour and social interactions. The network is formed by a highly interdisciplinary consortium formed by systems and computational neuroscientists, data scientists, psychologists and behavioural and cognitive biologists.

In this project, we aim to understand the acquisition and usage of social information under natural conditions in our long-term study population of wild Assamese macaques at Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary in Thailand. You will combine video-assisted behavioral field observations, field endocrinology, and dynamic social network analyses within a broader research framework fostering comparative work on humans and other animals.
You will be enrolled in a graduate program of the University of Göttingen, e.g. Behavior and Cognition (http://www.uni-goettingen.de/de/217295.html).

Your profile
• Masters of Science degree in Biology (or comparable)
• field research experience, in particular with behavioural studies on vertebrates, preferably monkeys
• strong statistical skills, ideally experience in the analysis of social interaction data
• excellent communication skills, ability to work in a team, commitment, flexibility, and reliability
• very good command of English including scientific writing
• basic knowledge of Thai is an advantage
• ability to work independently and highly accurate
• physical fitness, capable of working under demanding conditions in the tropics

The University of Göttingen is an equal opportunities employer and places particular emphasis on fostering career opportunities for women. Qualified women are therefore strongly encouraged to apply in fields in which they are underrepresented. The university has committed itself to being a family-friendly institution and supports their employees in balancing work and family life. The mission of the University is to employ a greater number of severely disabled persons. Applications from severely disabled persons with equivalent qualifications will be given preference.

Please submit your application as a single pdf (named lastname_firstname.pdf) with the usual documents (motivation letter, curriculum vitae, university degrees, contact details of up to two referees) electronically until 26.11.2021 to Department for Behavioral Ecology, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Prof. Dr. Julia Ostner, Kellnerweg 6, 37077 Göttingen. E-Mail header: selective attention, E-Mail address: [email protected] and please include
Dr. Christian Schloegl in cc [email protected]

Please note:
With submission of your application, you accept the processing of your applicant data in terms of data-protection law. Further information on the legal basis and data usage is provided in the Information General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)