Postdoctoral Fellow

**Classification**:Academic Level A
**Salary package**:$76,271 - $95,732 per annum plus 17% superannuation
**Term**: Full time, Continuing Contingent Funded (18 months, possibility of extension up to 3 years)

**The Position**

The Aplin Lab seeks a postdoctoral researcher to join their SERI-funded ERC project "_CULTURES ADAPT" - Animal Culture under Change: a landscape level analysis of socio-cognitive responses to human impact_. This project aims to understand the effect of human disturbance on cultural diversity in urban-adapted species, as well as to predict how cultures will change in response to the changes in the social and physical environment. This is a joint project between the University of Zurich and the Australian National University, headed by Dr Lucy Aplin, Senior Lecturer at the Research School of Biology and Assistant Professor at the University of Zurich. The person will be based at the Australian National University, and will conduct fieldwork at various urban and non-urban sites in the wider Sydney area.

**The Person**

The Postdoctoral Fellow will primarily work to further the SERI/ERC project aims by conducting research on cognitive ecology in wild sulphur-crested cockatoos. This will include close observation of habituated birds, recording social networks, examining foraging behaviour across urban landscapes, and undertaking social learning experiments. The research will also involve coordinating with, and expansion of, our citizen-science networks. To successfully carry out this work, they will be expected to work collaboratively and collegiately within the CULTURES ADAPT research team, including by managing field teams, supervising students at the undergraduate and honours levels, and by assisting with supervision of PhD students and research support staff. The postdoctoral fellow will be expected to publish the findings of this work in refereed journals, as well as present at academic seminars and at national and international conferences.

To be successful in this position, we are looking for someone with experience of relevant field research in the following areas: social decision making, social networks, and of experimental approaches to social learning and animal culture. Previous experience of conducting behavioural observations on habituated animals is an advantage, as is field experience in urban and peri-urban areas. Previous research experience working with parrots is also highly desirable. The successful applicant must be willing to undertake intensive fieldwork as part of a small team, and be able to demonstrate that they can work collaboratively as part of a research team.

**The School**

The Research School of Biology is home to ~50 continuing academic staff and a large number of postdoctoral and postgraduate researchers from around the world. Our research is supported by outstanding equipment, infrastructure and professional staff, and is funded by an extensive range of external grants. The School conducts research, research training (MPhil and PhD), Masters and undergraduate education in a wide range of biological and biomedical sciences.

**The College**

The ANU College of Science encompasses the disciplines of: Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Environment and Society, Mathematics, Physics, and Science Communication and is also home to a number of cross-disciplinary and specialist Institutes and Centres. Staff and students within the ANU College of Science conduct research and deliver a research-led education program that encompasses the breadth of the sciences, supported by extensive international networks and by world-class facilities.

To find out more about the **Science at ANU** community, follow us on social media at Instagram and Facebook

ANU values diversity and inclusion and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to people of all backgrounds and identities.

**Application information**
- A statement addressing the selection criteria.

**Applications which do not address the selection criteria may not be considered for the position.