德国马克斯-普朗克进化人类学研究所博士后职位

The Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology unites scientists with various backgrounds (natural sciences and humanities) whose aim is to investigate the history of humankind from an interdisciplinary perspective with the help of comparative analyses of genes, cultures, cognitive abilities, languages and social systems of past and present human populations as well as those of primates closely related to human beings.

The Department of Linguistic and Cultural Evolution (DLCE) at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI-EVA) invites applications for a three-year Postdoc and a three-year PhD position, associated with the project “Evolution of Cognitive Tools for Quantification (QUANTA)”, funded by the European Research Council with a Synergy Grant to Andrea Bender (UiB), Francesco d’Errico (CNRS Bordeaux), Russell Gray (MPI for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig), and Rafael Núñez (UCSD).

Deadline for applications is 1 September, 2021

About DLCE The Department of Linguistic and Cultural Evolution aims to answer big picture questions about human history. Our focus is on describing and explaining the major patterns of linguistic and cultural variation across the globe. We tackle these questions by developing novel language documentation methods, global linguistic and cultural databases, and analyses using evolutionary theories and computational methods.

About QUANTA QUANTA aims at reconstructing the origin and evolution of numeral systems: when and why they were invented, and how and why they diversified. The 6-years project with a starting date of September 1st, 2021 is an international collaborative one located at four institutions: MPI EVA Leipzig (Germany), UiB (Norway), CNRS Bordeaux (France), and UCSD (USA). These will engage in frequent and close collaboration and exchange, including internships for all researchers at the other institutions. As a researcher in this project, you will have the chance to explore human prehistory, to actively assist the development of new methods for quantitative historical linguistics and typology, and to shed light on general processes in the development of numeral systems worldwide. Possible topics include:

The co-evolution of cognition and numeral systems

The co-evolution of different numeral system modalities (verbal, body- based, written, and material)

Evolution of complex number systems

The role of social and technological in driving the evolution of numeral systems

Selection Criteria:

A MA (for PhD applicants) or PhD (for Postdoc applicants) in linguistics, cognitive science, evolutionary biology, computer science, statistics, anthropology, or related field with an outstanding academic record.

Good computational skills with a knowledge of R, Python or other programming language.

Strong proficiency in both spoken and written English.

Strong analytical skills and proven self-motivation to complete independent work.

Strong team player qualities (you will work in an interdisciplinary and international team where communication is crucial for the success of the project).

Research experience in the field of numeral systems is beneficial.

Our Offer:

Full-time position, starting on October1st, 2021, initially limited to 3 years with the possibility of extension of 2 more years

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 as well as an attractive pension proposition

An inspiring, international, interdisciplinary environment with leading domain scientists at our department and in various Max Planck Institutes and universities

Space, freedom, support and resources to do all the things described above