For our long-term
project on reversible individual size changes in small high-metabolic
mammals we have an open position for a 3-year PhD starting as soon as
possible but hopefully before June this year. You
would be working with captive shrews and study them as they go through
the size changes in the brain using a combined approach of repeated
state-of-the-art MRI imaging and behavioural assays of the same individuals. The MRIs will be done in the group of Dominik von Elverfeldt in Freiburg, where you will spend part of your time (https://www.uniklinik-freiburg.de/mr-en/members/current/elverfeldt.html).
This is a HSFP-funded collaborative project with LilianaDavalos from Stony Brook University (looking at the molecular basis of this phenomenon) and John Nielandfrom Aalbord University (looking at the lipid metabolism) and their students.
What we are looking for:
If
you are fascinated by evolution and questions such as how seasonal
change affects animals, how the brain is shaped by evolutionary
pressure, or how brain size is linked to behaviour and cognitive abilities this may be the right position for you. You need to be enthusiastic about working in a team and sharing data.
Ideal would be if you are a biologist with also a background in or inclination for physics or bioimaging as the MRI (which we will be the first to do with shrews) will be a large and important part of the project. Good English skills are also a requirement.
What you will find:
The Max Planck Institute for Ornithology is a thriving center for research on animal behaviour and
our group has been working on these shrews for years, working out many
(but not all) of the potential kinks of working with the sensitive
shrews. Our graduate school IMPRS forOrganismal Biology provides added background where you can profit from a large spectrum of courses and support.
Interested? Please send your CV, a motivation letter and a research statement to ddechmann@orn.mpg.de by the end of April.
more info on us and the project: https://www.orn.mpg.de/641895/Sociality-and-Movement