Post-doctoral Scientist on Great Ape Cognition and Cognitive Development

The Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVA) in Leipzig, Germany is the world leading institute in one of the most fundamental questions in science and life: What does it mean to be human? The department of Comparative Cultural Psychology (CCP) at the MPI EVA studies children across diverse human societies as well as non-human great apes’ species, to understand uniquely human cultural diversity and the universal cognitive mechanisms that enable and constrain it.

We are looking for a

who will join us in envisioning, planning and executing a research program on great ape cognition and cognitive development. The research will take place at the Wolfgang Köhler Primate Research Centre in Leipzig, Germany, and a wider network of European Zoos and other Great Ape sanctuaries around the world. Particularly, developing Thermal Imaging technology for the study of cognitive development in non-human great apes and human children. Prior expertise with this technology is highly desirable.

Your role

• design and implement theory-driven empirical studies investigating great ape cognition and behavior
• statistical analyses of quantitative data using Bayesian and/or frequentist approaches in R
• express ideas and results in English both in writing and in oral presentations
• work effectively and conscientiously in various cultural settings, including remote settings with limited infrastructure
• promote a culture of good scientific practice, enabling both methodological rigor and innovation

Your profile

• PhD in psychology, biology, biological anthropology or related natural or social sciences
• experience in studying animal cognition
• expertise in Thermography
• expertise in frequentist and/or Bayesian statistics
• proficient in R and state of the art open science practice
• very good communication skills in English
• committed and cooperative team player
• motivated to invest time and effort to help build a sustainable conceptual, organizational and interpersonal infrastructure

Our offer

• An inspiring, international, interdisciplinary environment with leading domain scientists at our institute and in various Max Planck Institutes and universities
• Space, freedom, support and resources to do all the things described above
• Full-time position, starting a soon as possible, initially limited to 3 years with the possibility of extension of 2 more years (according to German WissG)
• Salary based on experience according to the German TVöD
• According to German labor laws, benefits include 30 days holiday per annum, plus Bank Holidays and Christmas closure days and an attractive pension proposition
• The city of Leipzig has repeatedly earned top ranks for quality of life as well as innovation capacities and economic development.

How to apply:
Please submit your application, including a motivation letter, CV, GitHub or OSF link (if available) and a list of potential references electronically via our online tool (see link below). Applications will be accepted until April 15th 2023.

The Max Planck Society and the Department of Comparative Cultural Psychology of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology are very committed to equal opportunities, diversity as well as gender equality. We actively support the compatibility of work and family and have set ourselves the goal of employing more severely disabled people as well as groups that are underrepresented in science and especially in the given field of activity. Therefore, we explicitly encourage them to apply and welcome applications from all backgrounds.

Further information about the institute and the department can be found at www.eva.mpg.de.
For further information (no application) please contact Anja Reimann (Phone: +49 341 3550-400 / Email: anja_reimann@eva.mpg.de)