The project seeks to understand how the cognitive and emotional foundations for providing care to the sick evolved in humans. It is a cross-species study of how humans and chimpanzees respond cognitively and emotionally to sickness cues in members of their own species.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are currently recruiting for someone to conduct the first half of the project in collaboration with the Budongo Research Unit (BRU), a University of St Andrews research facility based at RZSS Edinburgh Zoo. The postholder will conduct experiments in which we will measure the responses of chimpanzees when they view images of healthy and sick individuals. Training on site at Edinburgh Zoo will be provided by staff at the BRU. Depending on COVID-19 restrictions, there is the potential for this post to be extended to allow the postholder to conduct a similar study on humans.

Informal enquiries can be made to Dr Sharon Kessler, email: sharon.kessler@stir.ac.uk.