Postdoctoral Scholar

Position Description:
The Kibale Chimpanzee Project (kibalechimpanzees.wordpress.com) seeks a postdoctoral scholar, based at the Department of Anthropology at the University of New Mexico, to participate in an NIH-funded study of aging in wild chimpanzees. This project involves the development and application of non-invasive methods to study health and aging in wild chimpanzees in the Kibale National Park, Uganda. The successful applicant will coordinate activities in the endocrinology laboratory, organize incoming data, conduct visits to the field site, and work with PIs Melissa Emery Thompson and Martin Muller to analyze and publish findings. The scholar will be encouraged to develop their own research interests relevant to the broader aims of the project, and this may incorporate primary field work. This is a one-year position, renewable for at least one additional year pending renewal of funding and satisfactory performance. We seek a self-motivated candidate that can work independently but also function well as a member of a team.

Qualifications/Experience:
Required qualifications: Ph.D. in anthropology, biology, ecology, zoology, or other related field by the time of position start date; experience with observational research methods; evidence of competence in statistics.

Preferred qualifications: expertise in executing laboratory protocols (hormonal or other); previous experience with primates, humans, or other social species; ability to travel internationally and function in field conditions; competency with Microsoft Access; excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Salary/funding:
The position is funded at $45,000 plus benefits; additional funding will be provided for research costs (travel, research fees, etc.).

Details:
Applications received by December 15, 2015, will receive best consideration. Anticipated start date for the position is March 1, 2016. Please send a CV, cover letter outlining your relevant experience and research interests, 1-2 professional writing samples, and the names of 2 recommenders to Melissa Emery Thompson (memery@unm.edu).