Post-doctoral Researcher in Comparative Psychology Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

Post-doctoral Researcher in Comparative Psychology

Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

Deadline:

30 June 2026

Contact:

Alexander Taylor

The Animal Minds Lab conducts comparative research with rats and humans to explore fundamental questions about intelligence, emotions, and animal welfare. A central aim of our work is to investigate whether the human mind is evolutionarily unique, or if it reflects a 'universal mind' shaped by convergent evolution. By comparing performance across species - rats, humans, and birds - we examine patterns of cognitive errors and biases to identify shared mechanisms.

We are seeking a self-motivated postdoctoral researcher with a passion for science and strong skills in behavioural experiment design. The successful candidate will play a key role in developing and programming experiments using PsychoPy/Python, and in maintaining our automated touchscreen testing systems ("Rat Villages," based on the Training Village design). They will gain hands-on experience in comparative cognition, experimental design, and behavioural data collection with both rats and humans.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and code behavioural experiments for rats and online human participants (e.g., via Pavlovia)

• Maintain and troubleshoot automated rat testing systems

• Contribute to the conceptual development of comparative research questions

• Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team

Essential Requirements:

• PhD in psychology, neuroscience, biology, or a related field

• Strong background in designing and executing comparative experiments

• Proficient in Python and PsychoPy

• Excellent communication and teamwork skills

• Proficient in data analysis

Desirable Experience:

• Working with rats

• Using automated testing systems

• Deploying online experiments with Pavlovia

The position is not currently funded, but we are actively seeking excellent applicants to collaborate on funding applications (e.g., Beatriu de Pinós (AGAUR – Postdoc), Juan de la Cierva – Formación, Juan de la Cierva – Incorporación, MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships, la Caixa Junior Leader (Incoming/Retaining).

Applications are accepted all year round.

Email Enquiries:

Emails should be sent to Alexander Taylor - alexanderharwood.taylor@uab.cat