Follow the leader—propagation and resolution of incomplete social cues in insects

Supervisor: Dr. James Foster

We are currently looking for an interested doctoral student who would be available to join our team within the coming year. The research program will allow the student to work at the forefront of methods for animal tracking, polarization imaging and modelling of social groups.

Can insects trust the information they receive from conspecifics? Social cues often contain incomplete information, with strong components of uncertainty and ambiguity. Using the insect polarization compass as our model system, we are investigating the transformation of directional information between physical, biological and social states, and how it may be recovered at each stage.

Funding: 3 years 65% TV_L13 

Requirements:

  • MSc in Biology, Neuroscience or a related field.
  • Proficiency in a programming language (R, Matlab, Python), or willingness to learn one.
  • Must be comfortable handling insects.
  • Experience in behavioural experiments or computational modelling would be preferable

Start date: 03.04.2023

Supervisor: James Foster, Department of Neurobiology, University of Konstanz

more information you find here (link to University of Konstanz)

The University of Konstanz and the Max Planck Society are equal opportunity employers that are committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability. They seek to increase the number of women in those areas where they are under represented and therefore explicitly encourage women to apply (Equal opportunity). Persons with disabilities are explicitly encouraged to apply. They will be given preference if appropriately qualified (contact +49 7531 88 4016).

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