jeudi 7 avril 2011

PhD Candidate for Behavioral Ecology and Spatial Cognition in the Aka hunter-gatherers

Hiring Organization:
Max Planck Institute for evolutionary Anthropology

Position Description:
We are looking for a PhD candidate for a project on the spatial cognition and knowledge of the Aka hunter-gatherers of the Central African Republic.

The project will be carried out in the broader frame of improving our understanding of the natural spatial skills requires for foraging in the tropical forest ecology of modern hunter-gatherer and trying to compare them with our long-term project on the spatial knowledge and cognition of the Taï chimpanzees. This project is a joint collaborative project of Christophe Boesch with Barry Hewlett of Vancouver (USA). The candidate will be primary responsible of mapping food resources in the Aka territory and follow individuals during their daily forays in the forest.

Work Schedule:
- Preparation: approximatively 2 months at the MPI EVAN
- Data collection: Two years of fieldwork in CAR is planned but is dependant upon the progress of the data collection.
- Analysis at the MPI EVAN

Qualifications/Experience:
Qualifications/Requirements:
MSc (or comparable degree) in Behavioral Ecology or Anthropology. Excellent knowledge of theoretical and methodological approaches to behavioral ecology is expected. Sound field experience in the tropics, botanical knowledge, developed experience with GIS and GPS techniques will be favored. The field work requires good physical condition, the ability to work independently and under remote conditions. Good French speaking abilities are required.

Salary/funding:
The candidate will be supported by a stipend.

Term of Appointment:
Three to four years

Comments:
Applications including a cover letter stating research experience and interests, detailed curriculum vitae, and the names and e-mail addresses of two referees should be sent electronically. The evaluation process will start immediately and applications will be accepted until position is filled.

Contact Information:
Boesch Christophe
Deutscher Platz
Leipzig 04103
Germany

Telephone Number:
00 49 341 3550 200 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 00 49 341 3550 200 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Website:
http://www.eva.mpg.de/primat

E-mail Address:
boesch@eva.mpg.de