Project assistant Cognitive Zoology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Description of the workplace

We are looking for a research assistant for the Cognitive Zoology Group, which is part of Cognitive Science at the Department of Philosophy in the Joint Faculties of Humanities and Theology. The assistant will work with Stephan Reber and PhD and MSc students supervised by him on the evolution of cognition in the Sauropsida. We are all working on comparative animal cognition on a large variety of animal cognition related topics, from bioacoustics to fire cognition (also see https://www.lucs.lu.se/research/cognitive-zoology-group/home/). Our offices are located at Geocentrum 1 in Lund and most of our subject animals are kept at zoos and with other collaborators. We constantly strive for a good work environment and has, for instance, a book club in which the entire group participates and we often have lunch together.

We offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme.

For this temporary assistant position in particular, we can offer documentation of the work experience gained for future applications. Within reason, the working hours can be flexibly organized; particularly, the video coding work. This is meant to provide good conditions for work/life balance.

Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee Work at Lund University

Work duties and areas of responsibility

You will be responsible for assisting researchers, PhD and MSc students with their experimental work. This includes, in many situations, also taking part in animal husbandry. You might for instance have to distract non-subject animals from the setup during tests; move animals from an arena to an enclosure and back, film behaviour, feed large crocodilians with defrosted whole prey items, train animals for ease of handling etc. For video coding, you will be responsible for the professional handling of data and for accurately documenting behaviour. Several of the tasks will require independent travel to different locations in Skåne. Many of our collaborators are working with us out of interest and do not receive direct compensation, we hence expect polite and professional conduct from your side.

Qualifications

Requirements for employment are:

• You must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in biology or comparative psychology
• You must have documented experience working with reptiles, ideally in an academic environment.
• You must have experience in animal behavioural research
• You must hold a driver’s license
• You must be fluent in spoken and written English as our team is very international (official documentation is not required though)
• You must have prior experience of direct interaction with crocodilians

Additional qualifications for the position are:

• You should be a team player but also be able to work independently
• You ideally also have experience working with large palaeognath birds
• You should be willing and able to learn new skills fast
  
  

Further information
The position is a fixed term position for three months at 80% of full time and starting in March 2023 or by agreement, although not beyond July 2023.

How to apply

Your application should contain:

• A letter of motivation justifying your interest in the position and how it matches your qualifications (max. 1 A4 page)
• Your CV (max. 4 A4 pages)
• A copy of your MSc thesis or equivalent
• Documentation of work experience with reptiles (certificates, theses etc.)
• Two letters of recommendation
• Copies of any peer-reviewed publications if available