Postdoctoral position (m/f/d) | The social dynamics of collective dispersal Full-time NEW

Postdoctoral Position (M/F/D) | The Social Dynamics Of Collective Dispersal

Scientist Radolfzell / Konstanz

Job Code: 168

Job Offer from April 09, 2026

The Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior at its sites in Konstanz and Radolfzell offers an international, interdisciplinary, and cooperative environment that opens up unique research opportunities. The goal of our basic research is to develop a quantitative and predictive understanding of the decisions and movements of animals in their natural environment.

For the Genes and Behavior Research Group at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, we are looking for a highly motivated Postdoc. The position is initially offered for 2 years, with the possibility of extension. The position is located in Konstanz. The expected starting date is summer 2026, latest by August 1st, 2026.

Postdoctoral position (m/f/d) 100 % – “The social dynamics of collective dispersal.”

Our Group

The Genes and Behavior research group is headed by Dr. Serena Ding. We are broadly interested in understanding how and why nematodes behave collectively. To address our research questions, we use a combination of genetic, behavioral, quantitative, and modeling techniques to study a range of collective behaviors in groups of nematodes, including the model organism C. elegans.

The Project

We recently established that towering behavior is a mechanism for collective dispersal in Caenorhabditis nematodes. While we found no clear evidence for division of labour in clonal population towers, social dynamics may differ in heterogeneous populations with, e.g., mixed relatedness, sexes, life stages, and underlying states. We showed that population heterogeneity does not produce behavioral modulation in mixed C. elegans groups in food-abundance conditions, but suggest the effect may fundamentally differ under stressful food-scarcity where collective behavior can have direct fitness consequences.

For this project, we aim to understand how social mechanisms shape the behavioral and population dynamics of collective dispersal in heterogeneous populations. Research will involve designing, executing, and analyzing experiments to address this question. Potential research angles may include, but are not limited to: cooperation and altruism, competition and social cheating, and communication and coordination. This project will adopt a primarily laboratory-based approach and may incorporate field work in Landkreis Konstanz. Project specifics will be tailored based on the skills, experience, and ideas of the successful candidate.

Job Requirements

Essential

• PhD in ecology and evolution, animal behavior, collective behavior, or a related field
• Fundamental interest in biological phenomena and an open-minded approach to questions
• Literature awareness and conceptual strength
• 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

• Creativity and breadth with experimental approaches
• Prior experience with imaging-based behavioral analysis, sequencing-based genetic analysis, and with invertebrate study systems will be a plus, but is not necessary.

Our Offer

We offer an interesting job in an open-minded team, a responsible and varied workplace in a growing interdisciplinary and international research institute. The payment is made in accordance with your experience and qualification and the collective agreement for the public service (TVöD-Bund). The Max Planck Society endeavors to employ more severely disabled people. Applications from severely disabled persons are expressly welcome. The Max Planck Society strives for gender and diversity equality. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

How To Apply

We are looking forward to receiving your application by May 5, 2026. Please apply with

• a motivation letter, including a brief outline of your proposed approach to this project
• a CV
• contact details for two referees

Please submit your application documents through our application management system.

Questions about this position will be answered by Dr. Serena Ding at serena.ding@ab.mpg.de