Towering Behaviour in Nematode Groups

Vacancy Reference Number
https://imprs-qbee.mpg.de/80964/towering-behaviour-in-nematode-groups-doctoral-project
Closing Date
24 Nov 2024
Salary
The position is fully funded for three years, with the possibility of a one-year extension (TVöD salary scale 13, 65%).
Address
Konstanz/Radolfzell

The Genes and Behaviour research group headed by Dr. Serena Ding is seeking a doctoral student to join our team. We are broadly interested in how and why nematodes behave collectively. To address our research questions, we use a combination of genetic, behavioural, quantitative and modelling techniques to study a range of collective behaviours in groups of nematodes, including C. elegans.

We recently established ecological and functional relevance of towering behaviour as a mechanism for collective dispersal in Caenorhabditis nematodes (preprint). For this PhD project, we aim to address some of the following questions:

1. How does strain sociality influence the decision to disperse collectively (in towers) versus solitarily?

2. How are individuals positioned within the tower over time, and how is the tower structural integrity maintained?

3. Which sensory mechanisms are involved in tower formation and response to a dispersal vector?

The successful candidate will join our interdisciplinary team at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior and benefit from close interactions with the Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour at the University of Konstanz.

Application Process. Applicants should apply via the IMPRS application system (due November 24th, 2024), and are also required to include a CV and a research statement (see below for details).

Research Statement Instructions. Applicants should include a 1-2 page research statement that addresses the following points:

1. Describe your main research interests, how they developed, and how they relate to the proposed research project.

2. Read this article and describe 1-2 hypotheses you would like to test (or analyses you would like to perform) in the context of the described project, and indicate how you would address them using observational approaches, field experiments or analysis of biotelemetry data.

3. Explain why you want to pursue a Ph.D. and what you hope to gain through the process (including specific skills, experiences, perspectives—1/2 a page)

Further Information

Essential requirements:
· MSc in biology, behavioural ecology, neuroethology, quantitative behaviour, collective behaviour, or a related field
· Fundamental interest in biological phenomena and questions
· Experimental and analytical capability, critical thinking, literature awareness, and attention to detail
· Willingness and ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a scientifically and culturally diverse team
· Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English

Desirable experience:
Hypothesis-driven experimental design and implementation in animal behaviour
· Quantitative data analysis skills; proficiency in one or more programming languages (R, Matlab, Python)
· Competence with C. elegans and/or fluorescence imaging techniques is beneficial but not necessary

The Max Planck Society is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds

Contact Details

IMPRS@uni-konstanz.de