PhD title: Taxonomy and phylogeny of the hominins from Fejej (Ethiopia): a comparative analysis of cranio-dental remains Background Since 1992, the Fejej Paleoanthropological Research Project has been conducting field surveys in the Fejej area, located in the Omo-Turkana Basin in the far south of Ethiopia. These surveys have led to the discovery of several dozen Pliocene hominin remains, mainly isolated teeth and a few mandibular fragments. Given their age, but above all their morphology, these remains likely correspond to Australopithecus anamensis (4.3–3.8 Ma). Their analysis will help to expand the existing body of knowledge on this species, and in particular on its variation. This study will enable a broader discussion of the origins of the genus Australopithecus, its possible relationship with Ardipithecus ramidus (4.8–4.3 Ma), the links between Au. anamensis and Au. afarensis (3.8–3 Ma), and the possibility of intraspecific variation within Au. anamensis across the Omo-Turkana basin. Aims of the thesis 1. I n-depth and comprehensive morphological and morphometric analysis of the craniodental remains from the Fejej area. 2. Analysis of the contribution of Pliocene specimens from the Fejej region to the morphological and metric variation in the teeth of Au. anamensis, in comparison with dental variations in Ar. ramidus and Au. afarensis. 3. Intra-basin comparisons of fossils from the Omo-Turkana (specimens from the south-west of the basin versus specimens from the north-east). 4. Cladistic analyses. 5. Interpretation of all the results, whether intraspecific (including any intra-basin differences) or interspecific, from an evolutionary perspective, incorporating available palaeoenvironmental data (fauna, isotopic analyses, sedimentology, etc.) available, either through intra-team discussions within the Fejej Paleoanthropological Research Project, or via the literature for other sites, particularly those
The PhD student will be based at UMR 7268 ADES in Marseille, within the Bones team. Several periods of mobility will take place at UMR 5288 CAGT in Toulouse. International mobility will be necessary for data collection (Ethiopia and Kenya at a minimum), potential fieldwork (Ethiopia) and presentations at international meetings. Please note that funding for this PhD is not yet guaranteed at this stage. It will be subject to a competitive selection process within Doctoral School 251 at Aix-Marseille University (https://ecole doctorale-251.univ-amu.fr/fr). The candidate must submit an application comprising a written dossier, followed by an oral interview (20 candidates for 10 funding places), which will take place on 1 and 2 July 2026. Up to and including 3 May: submission of applications Second half of May: video conference interviews with supervisors End of May: selection of a candidate June: preparation of the application and the oral presentation with supervisors. Submission of the application to the DS 251 (exact date to be confirmed) 1 and 2 July: Oral presentation before the DS 251 panel Applications CV To apply, please send the following to the three supervisors (francois.marchal@univ-amu.fr; jose.braga@utoulouse.fr; anna.echassoux@fondationiph.org) - - - - - Cover letter Transcripts for your Bachelor’s, M1 and M2 degrees, if available Research dissertation, if already completed Letters of support from your research dissertation supervisors (optional)
🚩 #PhD #joboffer #Taxonomy and #phylogeny of the #hominins from Fejej (Ethiopia): a comparative analysis of #cranio-dental remains at the UMR 7268 ADES in Marseille @univ-amu.fr
Submission of applications before 3 May
Please note that funding for this PhD is not yet guaranteed (see details ⏬)
