PhD in Taxonomy and Phylogeny

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 yielding fossils of Au. anamensis within the Omo-Turkana Basin.

Location of the PhD research

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.

Supervision

Supervision will be provided by a team of three people:

François Marchal, CNRS Research Director, UMR 7268 ADES, Bones team

José Braga, University Professor, UMR 5288 CAGT, IDEA team

Anna Echassoux, Director General of the Institute of Human Palaeontology, Albert I, Prince of Monaco Foundation

Required profile

- A background in biological anthropology, paleoanthropology, or even primate palaeontology

- Excellent results at Master’s level (top 3 in the first year of the Master’s programme, and in the second year for candidates who have already completed the second year)

- Very good skills in classical morphometry and geometric morphometry

- Skills in cladistic analysis, hominin dental anatomy and methods for analysing the internal structure of teeth is desirable

- Good command of R and Avizo (or equivalent)

- Field experience is desirable

- Very good written and spoken English

- For international candidates, proficiency in French or a commitment to learn the language

Procedure and timetable

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

To apply, please send the following to the three supervisors (francois.marchal@univ-amu.fr; jose.braga@utoulouse.fr; anna.echassoux@fondationiph.org)

- CV

- 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)