Call for a KLI postdoc fellowship on “Urban Evolution”
The Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research (KLI) in Klosterneuburg, Austria, is an international center for advanced studies in the life sciences, with a focus on conceptual, philosophical, historical, and mathematical approaches in evolutionary biology and biomedicine. Embedded in a vibrant research community in the Vienna area, the KLI typically hosts about 20-25 fellows, visiting scholars, faculty, and students.
The KLI offers a postdoc fellowship in a research project on "urban form evolution,” led by Prof. Sergio Porta at University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, and Prof. Philipp Mitteroecker at Univ. of Vienna. The project is a collective effort supported by an international network of scientists also including Prof. Monika Kuffer at Univ. of Twente; Prof. Licia Capra and Prof. Stephen Marshall at University College London; Dr. Martin Fleischmann at Charles Univ. in Prague, and Prof. Wowo Ding at Nanjing University. This highly interdisciplinary project aims to understand the formation and transformation of urban morphology structures by applying concepts and models from organismal and cultural evolution. This includes the morphometric analysis of urban form and the modelling of “phylogenic relationships” between urban form taxa.
The successful candidate will show a good combination of all essential and one or more desirable skills. Essential skills are required in the domain of evolutionary and morphometric modelling, and at least basic programming skills. Desirable skills are appreciated in the domains of geo-spatial analysis, evolutionary theory, cultural evolution, and the philosophy of biology.
For application, please send a letter of motivation with a summary of research experience and interests, an academic curriculum vitae, and a list of publications to recruiting@kli.ac.at until February 28.
Details of the fellowships
Duration: two years, with a possible extension for a third year
Starting date: 2025
Eligibility criteria: Applicants must hold a PhD degree in a field relevant to the project.
Stipend: The monthly gross stipend is EUR 3,850.- or EUR 4,200.- (for 8 or more years of postdoc experience) before tax and social insurance.
Relocation Allowance: The KLI will cover travel costs for the move to Vienna or Klosterneuburg. The KLI will provide accommodation in the vicinity of the institute for the first two weeks of the fellowship.
Benefits of working at the KLI: The successful applicant will work in a highly interdisciplinary environment and have a desk in the beautiful facilities of the KLI. The KLI supports resident fellows with travel allowance that can be used for trips related to the project as well as a library allowance to purchase books related to the project. All fellows are invited to participate in the activities of the KLI, such as the KLI Colloquia and the KLI Lab.