https://imprs-qbee.mpg.de/80964/towering-behaviour-in-nematode-groups-doctoral-project
https://imprs-qbee.cloud.opencampus.net/
Supervisor: Dr. Serena Ding (MPI-AB)
The Genes and Behaviour research group (https://www.serenadinglab.com/) 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 (manuscript in review). For this PhD project, we aim to address some of the following questions:
- How does strain sociality influence the decision to disperse collectively (in towers) versus solitarily?
- How are individuals positioned within the tower over time, and how is the tower structural integrity maintained?
- 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 (https://www.ab.mpg.de/) and benefit from close interactions with the Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour (https://www.exc.uni-konstanz.de/collective-behaviour/) at the University of Konstanz.
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 position is fully funded for three years, with the possibility of a one-year extension (TVöD salary scale 13, 65%). Starting date is flexible in 2025. The Max Planck Society is an equal opportunities employer (https://www.mpg.de/diversity-inclusion) and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds.
