Postdoc in Analysis of Collective Movement & Communication 713 views

The Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, the Max Planck Ecology of Animal Societies Department is offering a Postdoc position from January 2020 (some flexibility on start date is possible).

Tasks:

• The selected candidate will take part in a new HFSP-funded project bringing together behavioral field biology with emerging movement and acoustic tracking technologies and quantitative analysis tools.
• The selected candidate will be based at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior / University of Konstanz (Dr. Ariana Strandburg-Peshkin) in collaboration with San Diego State University (Dr. Marie Roch), University of Zurich (Dr. Marta Manser), James Cook University (Dr. Ben Hirsch), and Michigan State University (Dr. Kay Holekamp).
• The post doc will focus on quantitative analysis of simultaneous tracking data (movement, acoustic, and behavioral) recorded from entire social groups across three social species.

Duration: initially for a period of 1 year; with extension by 2 additional years

Qualifications:

• PhD in a relevant area
• Demonstrated publication record
• Enthusiasm for tackling biological questions with computational approaches
• Demonstrated competency in many of the below areas: Analyzing and interpreting large datasets; analysis and modeling of time series, spatial, and/or network data; ability to construct complex programs in languages used for scientific programming such as Python, R, or Matlab
• Strong critical thinking and writing skills
• Ability to conduct research semi-autonomously
• Strong communication skills and enthusiasm for working as part of an interdisciplinary team
• Experience with developing theoretical / simulation models
• Knowledge of statistical mechanics / information theory
• Experience with machine learning
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity

Application:

Application to be submitted via email to either to Ariana Strandburg-Peshkin (astrandburg@ab.mpg.de) and compile all documents into a single PDF and email as an attachment named YourSurname_application.pdf:

• Cover letter addressing interest in the position and qualifications (1-3 pg)
• CV
• Unofficial transcripts
• A sample publication
• Names and contact information for three references
• Contact information