The Department of Coevolution of Land Use and Urbanization, Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology, Jena, Germany is pleased to announce a new vacancy for a Research Fellowship position in the area of evolutionary approaches to human settlement and urbanism. The project asks a fundamental question: where does urbanism belong in the evolutionary history of our species? It will investigate the levels and mechanisms through which evolutionary processes have shaped, and been reshaped by, human population aggregation. Comparisons with structured population aggregations in other species will be used to investigate possible convergent traits and processes and to clarify what is distinctive (or not) about human urbanism. 

The full-time position will be for a period of 3 years and based in Jena, Germany (part-time, minimum 75%, is possible on request). 

The Department of Coevolution of Land Use and Urbanization studies the long-term interaction between cities (and their non-urban counterparts), land use, and the Earth system. Through state-of-the-art fieldwork, computation analysis, and laboratory research, as well as data compilation, it connects observations from the deep past to present planning and future predictions and explore urbanisation as a non-linear, dynamic process, answering questions such as:

• Is human urbanisation unique or part of general human evolutionary processes of social aggregation and connectivity?
• Are there corollaries of these processes in other social species and biological systems?

Candidate tasks

The successful candidate will play a central role in the Department and its outputs (e.g. publications, data synthesis, policy contributions). They will integrate multidisciplinary research (including biology, ecology, cultural evolution, computational humanities, and contemporary urban studies) and datasets into current debates in Urban Studies. The candidate should have a background in computational analyses of cultural or biological evolution and an interest in human evolutionary and cross-species social analyses. They should also have an interest in exploring the potential for generalities and divergences in social behaviours across space and time.

The candidate will work in a leading global centre for deep time and contemporary social and Earth system research at the Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology, an institute combining archaeological, anthropological, geochemical, and Earth system expertise in computational modelling, social theory, and fieldwork and laboratory methodologies. They will also work closely with key project partners and will be expected to also work within the framework of ongoing international research initiatives to ensure maximum reach of results.

Candidate qualifications

The ideal applicant will have a background in cultural evolution, human evolution, biology, or ecology, and a strong record of having applied computational methods to studying these areas. In-depth knowledge of processes of social aggregation, networks, and cultural evolution are essential. Other prerequisites include evidence of strong oral and written communication skills, including an excellent publication record, commensurate with career stage and care duties. Willingness to work as part of a team, travel to field sites, a strong work ethic, and the ability to complete tasks in a timely and structured fashion are also necessities.

Essential:

• PhD and Masters degree in Human Evolution, Urban Science, Biology, Cultural Evolution, or a similar discipline or specialism.
• Hands-on, practical experience analysing diverse datasets of social behaviour across diverse temporal and spatial scales.

Advantageous:

• Experience in the analysis of social behaviours in humans and across species. 
• Enthusiasm for gaining evolutionary insights into contemporary understandings of urban relationships to the Earth system.
• Experience and skills in public outreach and science communication. 

The position offers a unique opportunity to develop cutting edge research in the city of Jena that is renowned for its position at the intersection of Biogeochemical, Ecological, and Archaeological research. The Max Planck Society promote these multidisciplinary connections and this position offers the candidate the possibility of making the most of such networks and become a leader in novel approaches to study human-Earth system dynamics across space and time.

The position will begin on the 1st of March 2027 though some flexibility in start date is possible. Renumeration will follow the public service pay scale (TVöD) up to paygroup 13, according to the candidate’s qualifications and experience. You are entitled to an annual bonus, 31 days' holiday and time off on 24th and 31st December. We also offer attractive and family-friendly flexitime and arrangements for remote working. A company pension scheme (VBL), an employer subsidy for a job ticket, the opportunity for further training, and language and health courses complete our offer.

The Max Planck Society is committed to employing more individuals with disabilities and especially encourages them to apply. We are also committed to encouraging diversity and actively challenging biases based on gender, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion and other components of identity. We were honored with the TOTAL E-QUALITY award for the first time in 2023 for our commitment.

The Max Planck Society supports the compatibility of family and career and is certified according to the "berufundfamilie" (“job and family”) audit.

Your application should include:

- A cover letter

- A CV of no more than 3 pages

- A list of at most 10 scientific, peer-reviewed publications related to the position

- Any relevant certificates

You are also required to name three referees to submit letters of recommendation. 

Contact for more information:

Prof. Patrick Roberts

Email: roberts@gea.mpg.de