PhD position in Behavioral Biology (w/m/d)

The German Primate Center (DPZ) - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research in Göttingen conducts basic research in primate biology, infection research and neuroscience. It maintains four field stations and is a competence and reference center for research on and with primates. The DPZ is one of the 97 research and infrastructure facilities of the Leibniz Association.

As part of the DFG SPP 2205 “Evolutionary Optimization of Neuronal Processing”, we advertise here a

This is a 65% position (payment E13 TV-L) initially for one year, with the possibility for an extension for up to three years. The project is expected to start on December 1st 2024, but is flexible.

In this project “From Branch to Branch: Unravelling Primate Vision in Arboreal Leaping and Navigation”, we aim to investigate the role of vision on navigational strategies in wild nocturnal grey mouse lemurs (Microcebus murinus) at the field site of the German Primate Center (DPZ), Kirindy Forest in Western Madagascar. To gain a better understanding of how visual conditions and visual processing affect small- and large-scale navigational strategies, we will not only set up a novel tracking system to study how wild mouse lemurs navigate throughout their habitat, but also conduct cognitive experiments on spatial cognition with automated testing devices in the wild. This project is embedded in a cooperation with Fred Wolf, Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, Göttingen and Daniel Huber, Geneva University, Switzerland.

By combining the expertise of these three laboratories, behavioral ecology and cognition in wild grey mouse lemurs (Fichtel), theoretical and computational neuroscience and computer vision (Wolf), and neural recording in free-ranging mouse lemurs in the laboratory (Huber), we aim to investigate key features characteristic of early primate vision.

Your profile:

• M.Sc. degree or equivalent in Biology, Cognitive Sciences, Neurosciences, Computer Sciences or Engineering.
• Experience conducting observational or experimental studies with animals
• Strong programming, analytical and statistical skills
•  Experience in field work would be an advantage
• Excellent English language skills; additional French skills would be an advantage
• Excellent critical thinking and communication skills

What we offer:

• A highly interdisciplinary and collaborative research environment
• Regular field work with primates in their natural habitat in the Kirindy Forest (Madagascar) using cutting edge technical and computational tools
• Enrolment in one of the programs of the Georg August Graduate School of Science comprising of courses suited to individual needs and careers goals, as well as regular retreats and summer schools
• Close supervision by an interdisciplinary Thesis Advisory Committee

We welcome diversity and therefore welcome applications from qualified people, regardless of their ethnic, cultural and social background, gender, religion, ideology, disability, age or sexual identity. Registered disabled applicants with equal aptitude and qualifications will be given preferential consideration. We kindly ask you to indicate any disabilities in your application.

Employment at the DPZ is based on the civil service rules and regulations. The salary scale is in accordance with TV-L, with VBL pension scheme.

Please send in your written application as a pdf including a cover letter, CV, all certificates and the contact information of two referees until 15.10.2024 under the key word “PhD Primate Navigation” to bewerbung(at)dpz.eu .

For further information about the position, please contact Dr. Claudia Fichtel (claudia.fichtel(at)gwdg.de )