MSc thesis project
Has Distance to Family Historically shaped Human Survival?
The influence of geographic distance to core kin on adult human survival over the last three centuries
In humans and other animals, social integration and support from kin are important drivers of reproduction and survival. Recent economic and demographic transitions in human societies have transformed human social networks—from multi-generational, kin-centered structures of our evolutionary past to smaller, more dispersed and less kin-oriented networks that characterize modern societies. Our research team (Lummaa lab) investigates how these changes in social/kin networks since the 18th century have shaped reproduction and survival patterns. We are now looking for a MSc student to lead a project to look specifically at the question:
How does geographic distance to kin influences adult survival?
Needed skills
– Coding in R
– Statistics (ideally, experience in linear models and/or survival analysis)
– Fluency in English
– Interest in evolutionary biology and life-history
You will learn to:
– Handle very large datasets (>100.000 individuals; ~300 years)
– Analyze longitudinal data
– Write scientific articles
– Work in an international and interdisciplinary team
Supervisors:
– Nikolaos Smit (nismit@utu.fi)
– Veera Schroderus (vischr@utu.fi)
– Virpi Lummaa
We respect work-life balance, and value equality and diversity in our work community and encourage qualified applicants, regardless of background, to apply for our open positions!
We can support you in applications for Erasmus/ mobility grants.
Apply by October 31st sending an email to both addresses above with a cover letter (1 page max; summarizing motivation and research interest) and CV (including education, positions, professional experience, and contact details of two academic referees).
Start date: between November 2025 and January 2026
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