Postdoctoral research position | Dynamics of cultural diversity, demography and evolution

 

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.

The Beheim Lab in the Department of Human Behavior, Ecology, and Culture is seeking qualified applicants for postdoctoral projects broadly related to the dynamics of cultural diversity, demography and evolution, and social impacts on knowledge, health, and wealth. The contract period is for 3 years, and the appointment is based in Leipzig.

The successful candidate will work in concert with lab and department members to develop an empirical research program, motivated by theoretical models from evolutionary ecology and cultural evolution. Topics may include migration dynamics, long-term cultural adaptation, time allocation modeling, the energetics of labor, the flow of resources within social networks, the accumulation of wealth and inequality, indigenous knowledge transmission, and the social learning of skills.

Requirements

Essential

• Ph.D. in a relevant science at the start of position
• experience working with quantitative data in a research computing context
• willingness to participate in open science practices, e.g. use of open access journals, preregistration, and sharing materials and data

Desirable

• familiarity with research computing languages, e.g. R and Stan
• knowledge of relevant ecological, evolutionary and anthropological theory
• experience in Latin America

Funding

Department postdoctoral researchers are funded by the Institute, and allocate their time between individual research projects and collaborative departmental work. Salaries are determined according to the German public service pay scale (TVöD).

Applications

Please address questions to Dr. Bret Beheim (bret_beheim@eva.mpg.de). Applications should include:

• letter describing research background and goals
• curriculum vitae, including the names of three professional references
• reprint of a representative peer-reviewed academic manuscript

Applications received by 31 March 2022 will be considered. Doctoral students finishing in 2022 are encouraged to apply.

We look forward to receiving your completed online application.

The Max Planck Society is committed to equal opportunities and to employing individuals with disabilities and explicitly encourages them to apply. Additionally, the Max Planck Society wishes to increase the proportion of women in areas in which they are underrepresented; women are therefore explicitly encouraged to apply.