We are inviting applications for a fully funded 3-year position as a PhD candidate to join our research group in Evolutionary Animal Ecology at the University of Bayreuth (65% TV-L E13, DFG-funded). This position is co-supervised by Sandra Steiger and Max Körner.
The project aims to uncover how cooperation between mothers and fathers evolves and is maintained despite ongoing conflict over parental investment. To address this question, we will use burying beetles (Nicrophorus) as a model system.
These fascinating insects provide extensive parental care and are uniquely suited to study family interactions because thegenus exhibits substantial interspecific variation in offspring dependency, making them an ideal system for studying theevolution of parental cooperation.
The successful candidate will investigate how parents coordinate care and resolve conflicts over investment. The project combines behavioral ecology,chemical ecology, and evolutionary biology and focuses on questions such as how parents monitor and respond to each other's effort. Do pheromones,larval signals, or acoustic communication facilitate cooperation between parents? Is increased male care a plastic response to offspring need in moredependent species? And to what degree is biparental cooperation a response to adverse environmental conditions?
These questions will be answered through several behavioral experiments analyzing parental and offspring behavior, chemical analyses of pheromonalsignals, and automated video tracking to quantify activity and parental care. These studies will be conducted using the unique advantage of multiple different species with known differences in offspring behavior and dependency. Our projectoffers opportunities to develop skills in experimental design, animal behavior, chemical ecology, statistical analysis, andscientific writing. The position offers funding for conference participation and professional training, as well as opportunities for national and international collaboration.
Applicants should hold (or soon obtain) a Master's degree in Biology or a related field.
A strong interest in evolutionary biology, behavioral ecology, animal behavior, or insect ecology is essential. Experience with experimental work and statistical analyses in R is advantageous, although highly motivated candidates willing to acquire these skills are encouragedto apply. The successful candidate will have the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team, and have good written and spoken English skills.
The Department of Evolutionary Animal Ecology offers a modern, dynamic, and supportive research environment with extensive expertise in experimental design, behavioral ecology, chemical ecology, and insect-rearing techniques. (link). TheUniversity of Bayreuth (link) features a strong interdisciplinary framework for research and has recently been ranked in thetop 5 percent of young universities worldwide (link). Bayreuth is a bustling University town with a rich history nestled inscenic Upper Franconia, featuring numerous opportunities for outdoor activities and cultural exploration (link).
For more information, feel free to reach out informally: sandra.steiger@uni-bayreuth.de or maximilian.koerner@unibayreuth.de
Interested candidates are asked to send applications (in English) as single-file .PDF attachments containing a letter of motivation (max. 1 page), a curriculum vitae (with grades of B.Sc and M.Sc or equivalent), a summary of the Master thesis(max. 500 words), and the e-mail addresses of 2-3 potential referees. Send your application to Max Körner atmaximilian.koerner@uni-bayreuth.de
The application deadline is 15.12.26. Ideal starting date is April 2027 but later starts are possible!