Post-Doc (m/f/d) - Social and ecological decision-making during baboon dispersal
At the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Radolfzell / Konstanz
The
Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior is an international research
institute dedicated to achieving a quantitative and predictive
understanding of animal decision-making in the natural world. The
institute’s three departments and one independent research group are
home to over 150 employees focused on experimental, observational and
theoretical research in the fields of animal movement and migration,
behavioral ecology, and collective behavior, and maintain close academic
ties to the University of Konstanz and its Center for the Advanced
Study of Collective Behavior.
The
Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies seeks to fill the
position of Post-Doc (m/f/d) on social and ecological decision-making
during baboon dispersal.
The
position will start April 2020 (some flexibility on start date is
possible) and is offered for an initial period of 3 years. An extension
of up to 2 additional years is possible, contingent on performance.
Your tasks:
The
selected candidate will join a newly established research project
Navigating Dispersal: Social and Environmental Decision-Making of
Immigrating Baboons. In this project, we are leveraging innovations in
tracking technology, remote sensing and computational modeling to
determine how male baboons navigate the complex social and ecological
landscapes they must traverse when emigrating from their natal group.
The post doc will lead field-based behavioral and demographic data
collection and remote-tracking research on a population of olive baboons
(Papio anubis) at the Mpala Research Center in Laikipia, Kenya. In
addition, s/he will develop and apply analytical methods to investigate
how dispersing individuals acquire information about the social and
ecological landscape and make decisions about where to go across a range
of spatial and temporal scales. The post doc will be expected to
supervise and mentor graduate and undergraduate students, and to
participate in all aspects of the research project from field work,
including habituation and data collection, to managing and analyzing
data to writing manuscripts and grant proposals, and will be asked to
contribute to the development of research approaches and directions.
S/he will be based at the Mpala Research Center in Kenya and the Max
Planck Institute of Animal Behavior / University of Konstanz in Germany.
Your profile:
Required qualifications:
· PhD in a relevant area
· Demonstrated publication record
· Enthusiasm for tackling biological questions with data-driven approaches
· Demonstrated competency in many of the below areas:
o Field-based behavioral observation
o Organization and logistics of international field research
o Leadership of teams of research assistants
o Analyzing and interpreting large datasets
o Strong critical thinking and writing skills
· Ability to conduct research semi-autonomously
· Strong communication skills and enthusiasm for working as part of an interdisciplinary and international team
Desired qualifications:
· Scientific programming ability (Python, R, or Matlab)
· Experience with animal capture and biotelemetry/tracking
· Experience driving manual vehicles in off-road conditions
· Analysis and modeling of time series, spatial, and/or network data
· Demonstrated commitment to fostering and supporting a diverse and inclusive scientific community.
Our offer:
The
Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies embraces an explicitly
collaborative approach to scientific exploration. The successful
candidate will join a multi-disciplinary team working together to
develop new ways of measuring, analyzing and interpreting the behavior
of socially complex animal species in ecologically and evolutionarily
relevant field settings. Our working language is English and
consequently applicants must be fluent in this language; knowledge of
German is welcome but not required.
The
Max Planck Society endeavors to employ more severely disabled people.
Applications of severely disabled persons are expressly welcome. The Max
Planck Society strives for gender and diversity equality. We welcome
applications from all backgrounds. The payment is made in accordance
with your qualification and the collective agreement for the public
service (TVöD-Bund).
Questions about the position will be answered by Dr. Meg Crofoot (mcrofoot@ab.mpg.de)
Your application:
The position is available until filled. For full consideration, applicants should submit the following by 15 February 2020 via our online application portal . Please compile all documents into a single PDF and upload as an attachment named YourSurname_application.pdf.
1. cover letter addressing your interest in the position and qualifications (1 page)
2. statement of research and professional goals (1 page)
3. curriculum vitae
4. a sample publication
5. names and contact information for three references
6. contact information