About this role
Start Date: 1 March 2026 Fixed Term: for 36 Months
Applications are sought for a committed Post-doctoral Research Fellow to work with Catherine Hobaiter conducting research for a Volkswagen Stiftung funded project entitled The Zoomorphology of Gestures: Interspecies Learning and Technical Invention in Early Human Evolution. The ZOOGESTURES project aims to challenge the ‘species island’ model of gesture-oriented research; it investigates whether observation and learning of gestures from nonhuman species and their incorporation into human behavioural and cultural domains constitutes a currently overlooked dynamic in the evolution of humans as technological beings.
The advertised PDRA role will contribute to the project as a whole, but will be focused on WP3: Sympatric primate ecologies and human-primate co-attention, which integrates primatological fieldwork and controlled experiments to test whether observation of other species’ gestures shapes the attentional field of humans and wild primates in different ecosystems. We are seeking an independent researcher with the qualifications and experience to conduct interdisciplinary research with human and nonhuman primate communities, and to facilitate the research being conducted by post-graduate students associated with the wider project.
The successful applicant will have (or be near to completion of) a PhD in Comparative Psychology with expertise in the study of non-human primates, cross-cultural psychology, and fieldwork-based studies of communication and social learning.
The post is available for 36 months starting March 1st 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.
St Andrews offers more than just a place to work—it is a place to belong. We value collegiality, inclusion, and wellbeing, and we are committed to creating a workplace where staff can thrive and perform at their best.
In addition to the salary on offer for this position, there are a wide range of benefits for staff working at the University of St Andrews. The package for the Research Fellow in ZooGestures includes:
Financial contribution to relocation. Membership of the USS Pension Scheme with a generous employer contribution of 14.5%. A hybrid working environment, including partial homeworking where appropriate and a range of family friendly policies, supporting work-life balance. Staff discount scheme for local and national goods and services. Free staff parking, employee Carshare and Cycle to Work Schemes and subsidised local bus travel. Subsidised sports membership, reduced tuition fees on degree programmes for staff, access to training and development opportunities including LinkedIn Learning, access to library facilities, salary sacrifice scheme. 34 Days Annual Leave plus 5 Public Holidays.
Closing Date: 8 December 2025
Interview Date: 15 December 2025
Please quote ref: AR3218LS
Job Description: AR3218LSFPs.pdf