Environmental change and the emergence of human personality variation.

The extraordinary success of the human species as it expanded out of Africa to all the lands of the Earth occurred during periods of rapid environmental change. The ability of humans to adapt quickly to this changing environment and to thrive in climatic extremes could be due to the range of cognitive abilities available to small groups of humans as it allows for more problem solving and task specialisation.

In this PhD project you will combine the latest archaeological evidence along with ethnographic evidence from contemporary hunter-gatherer groups to build a picture of the range of cognitive abilities that a human social group might contain. You will also gather data on the climates of the late Pleistocene. These data will then be used to populate an individual-based simulation model of an expanding human population during periods of rapid environmental change. You will determine to what extent the success of our species might be due to the range of cognitive abilities that humans exhibit.

As our species is again facing rapid environmental change it is more important than ever to understand how we came to overcome the challenge in the past. This will also give insights into how other species might fare in a changing environment.

Suitable candidates will be excited by this research challenge. Some experience of programming, GIS or data analysis would be an advantage, but is not essential as training will be provided where required. The project will develop your skills and you will take part in the NERC ACCE training and career development activities. You will join a lively research environment of the departments of Archaeology and Biology at the University of York.

Supervisors: Dr Penny Spikins (Department of Archaeology, University of York), Professor Calvin Dytham (Department of Biology, University of York)

Additional Advisor: Professor Barry Wright (Department of Health Sciences, University of York)
FundingThis is a NERC ACCE studentship fully funded for 3.5 years and covers: (i) a tax-free stipend at the standard Research Council rate (£14,296 for 2016-2017, to be confirmed for 2017-2018), (ii) research costs, and (iii) tuition fees at the UK/EU rate.

The studentship is available to UK and EU students who meet the UK residency requirements.

To discuss your suitability for this project please email: [Email Address Removed]

Please read the 'How to apply' tab before submitting your application:
http://www.york.ac.uk/archaeology/postgraduate-study/research-postgrads/pgr-fees-funding/nercdtp/#tab-4

Deadline is Monday 9 January 2017 at 23h59min.