We are looking for a highly motivated candidate for a fully funded PhD project, studying active sensing
strategies in cockroaches.
Active exploratory antennal movement is involved in a range of sensory
guided behaviors. This project will employ computer vision to track the
motion of antennae, and body posture, as cockroaches make movement
decisions across a range of ecologically relevant
contexts, and in the face of uncertainty, perceived risk and time
constraints. Integrate behavioral experiments, electrophysiology,
calcium imaging and computer simulations, the project aims to study the
neural basis of active antennal sensing and decision-making
in cockroaches.
We welcome candidates from a wide range of backgrounds (biology,
engineering science, physics, computer science), but it is essential
that candidates are motivated to understand biological phenomena.
Candidates also ideally already hold a Masters degree.
The research will be undertaken in the department of Neurobiology, University of Konstanz (http://neuro.uni-konstanz.de/01intro/default.html) and
the Max-Planck Institute for Ornithology (http://www.orn.mpg.de/wikelski) advised
by Dr. Einat
Couzin-Fuchs and Prof. Dr. Martin Wikelski. It is anticipated that the
successful candidate will be part of the International Max Planck
Research School (IMPRS) of Organismal Biology, a competitive doctoral
training program offering laboratory courses and
workshops in the fields of behavior, ecology, evolution, physiology and
neurobiology with other 64 Ph.D. international student fellows from 27
countries.
The University of Konstanz and the Max Planck Society are equal
opportunity employers that try to increase the number of women in
research and teaching. As family-friendly institutions, they are
committed to further the compatibility of work and family life
and prefer disabled applicants when qualification is equal.
Interested candidates should send their CV, contact information for 2,
or more, referees, and a short description of their research interests
to Einat Couzin-Fuchs Ph.D. at einat.couzin@uni-konstanz.de with
subject “PhD application”.
For further information about the position and the application procedure, Please contact: einat.couzin@uni-konstanz.de and visit the IMPRS website https://www.orn.mpg.de/2574/Program