M2 paid internship (up to 6 months, early 2026)
Decoding visual communication in cuttlefish
Laboratory
EthoS UMR6552, CNRS, Université de Caen, Université de Rennes
Internship location
The internship will take place at the CREC marine station of the University of Caen based in Luc-sur-
mer (France).
Supervisors
Dr Bastien S. Lemaire and Christelle Jozet-alves.
Anticipated start date
January or February 2026 (with some flexibility), up to 6 months.
Project description
Understanding how animals communicate is a central challenge in ethology, particularly for species with sensory modalities different from our own. Cuttlefish are a prime example: they rely on rapid, dynamic changes in body patterning, posture, and movement to communicate, especially during reproductive and agonistic interactions. These signals are primarily visual and can be expressed in milliseconds through complex skin displays and arm configurations. This project aims to investigate whether the visual signals used by cuttlefish are context-dependent, combinatorial, and whether they show features akin to a basic syntax. We will focus specifically on male–male and male–female interactions during the reproductive period, where signalling is rich and socially meaningful. To go beyond the limitations of passive observation in the laboratory, the project aims to use a biomimetic cuttlefish—a model capable of displaying realistic movements and dynamic skin patterns. This allows for controlled, interactive experiments where specific visual signals can be presented to live cuttlefish in a systematic and repeatable way. By comparing cuttlefish responses to different signal types across social contexts, the project aims to decode their visual communication system and contribute to broader questions about the evolution of signalling complexity in animals.
Candidate’s missions
The intern will contribute to both experimental and analytical work.
The main responsibilities will include the following.
Experimental design & preparation:
● Perform a literature review on cuttlefish communication and visual signaling.
● Participate in refining the experimental protocol using 2-year-old cuttlefish.
● Learn to operate and control a biomimetic robotic cuttlefish in a laboratory setting.
Data collection:
● Conduct interactive experiments with live cuttlefish and the biomimetic model.
● Record and document behavioural interactions during male–male and male–female trials.
Data analysis:
● Extract and annotate cuttlefish behaviours from video recordings using manual (e.g., BORIS) and computational tools (e.g., DeepLabCut, Segment Anything Model).
● Process and analyze data using Python and R (scripts will be developed or adapted as needed).
● Conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis of visual signaling dynamics.
Candidate’s profile
We are seeking a highly motivated and autonomous Master’s student (M2) with the following profile.
Background:
● Training in neurosciences, ethology, animal behaviour, cognitive or computer science, or a related discipline.
● A strong interest in animal communication, multimodal signaling, or biologically inspired robotics.
Technical skills:
● Experience in video annotation and behavioural analysis is a plus.
● Proficiency (or a strong willingness to develop skills) in Python and R for data processing and statistical analysis.
● Familiarity with tools such as BORIS, DeepLabCut, or computer vision frameworks is advantageous.
Personal qualities:
● Scientific rigor, curiosity, and critical thinking.
● Autonomy, organizational skills, and a capacity to work in an interdisciplinary environment.
Salary
The candidate will be paid 4.35 euros/hour (around 630 €/month depending on the number of working days in the corresponding month).
How to apply
Interested candidates should send a cover letter and CV to Bastien S. Lemaire (bastien.lemaire@unicaen.fr) and Christelle Jozet-Alves (christelle.alves@unicaen.fr) before October 15, 2025. For questions, feel free to contact us.
Literature linked to the project
Adamo, S. A., Brown, W. M., King, A. J., Mather, D. L., Mather, J. A., Shoemaker, K. L., & Wood, J. B. (2000). Agonistic and reproductive behaviours of the cuttlefish Sepia officinalis in a semi-natural environment. Journal of Molluscan Studies, 66(3).
Boal, J. G. (1997). Female choice of males in cuttlefish (Mollusca: Cephalopoda). Behaviour, 134(13-14), 975-988. https://doi.org/10.1163/156853997X00340
Cartmill, E. A. (2023). Overcoming bias in the comparison of human language and animal communication. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 120(47), e2218799120.
Hanlon, R. T., & Messenger, J. B. (2018). Cephalopod behaviour. Cambridge University Press.
Schnell, A.K., Smith, C.L., Hanlon, R.T. et al. Cuttlefish perform multiple agonistic displays to communicate a hierarchy of threats. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 70, 1643–1655 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-016-2170-7
Lin, C. Y., Tsai, Y. C., & Chiao, C. C. (2017). Quantitative analysis of dynamic body patterning reveals the grammar of visual signals during the reproductive behavior of the oval squid Sepioteuthis lessoniana. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 5, 30.