PhD/Postdoc position on great ape cognition

We are looking for a PhD/early postdoc for a research project on event cognition in great apes at Basel Zoo, Switzerland. The project is part of a larger investigation into the origins of syntax, funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation. The goal is to use eye-tracking, touch-screen and playback technology to explore how great apes process natural events in terms of underlying causal structure.

We seek to fill the position with either a doctoral student or an early postdoctoral researcher. The successful candidate has a relevant academic background and/or strong theoretical interest in the evolution of cognition, particularly the origins of language. As data collection involves advanced technology and some programming, the successful will want to demonstrate confidence in these domains. We will further look for a high standard in scientific writing, strong analytical skills and a sincere theoretical interest.

The successful candidate will be affiliated with the University of Neuchatel, but stationed near Basel Zoo during data collection. The research will be jointly supervised by Professor Klaus Zuberbühler, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchatel, Professor Balthasar Bickel and Dr Sebastian Sauppe, Department of Comparative Linguistics, University of Zurich.

Contracts will be based on an annual starting salary of CHF 47,040 (PhD: 3 + 1 year optional) or CHF 62,720 (postdoc: 2 +1 year optional). The start date is negotiable, from 1 June 2019 onwards; application deadline is 15 May 2019.

Please submit your application, including cover letter, CV, and contact details of two academic referees to Klaus.zuberbuehler@unine.ch