mercredi 5 avril 2017

PhD position in active sensing and decision-making in insects

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.htmland the Max-Planck Institute for Ornithology (http://www.orn.mpg.de/wikelskiadvised 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