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Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior

Postdoctoral Position in Oceanic Collective Intelligence, Animal Behavior and Computational Ecology Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior in Germany

Degree Level

Postdoc

Field of study

Computer Science

Funding

Fully funded for 2 years, with salary/payment according to experience and qualifications and the TVöD-Bund collective agreement.

Deadline

Dec 20, 2026

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Country

Germany

University

Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior

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Keywords

Computer Science
Evolutionary Biology
Environmental Science
Biology
Oceanography
Collective Behavior
Bioacoustics
Statistics
Physics
ML

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About this position

Postdoctoral position in Oceanic Collective Intelligence at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior (Constance/Radolfzell, Germany). The project sits at the intersection of biology, environmental science, computer science, and statistics, with a strong focus on collective behavior, social foraging, animal movement models, bio-logging, bioacoustics, and oceanographic data analysis.

The Collective Ecology Group is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to study how oceanic predators use social information while foraging, especially in two predator-prey systems: blue whales and krill, and sperm whales and deep-sea prey. The work is part of the Oceanic Collective Intelligence project funded by the Carl Zeiss Stiftung Nexus Programme and involves integrating multiple data streams, including archival bio-logging devices, echosounders, and long-term seafloor hydrophones. The successful candidate may also collect additional data in the California Current Ecosystem.

This is a fully funded 2-year postdoctoral position with salary according to experience and the TVöD-Bund agreement. The working language is English, and German is not required. The institute offers an international, interdisciplinary, and collaborative environment with mentorship and conference opportunities.

Eligibility: applicants must have completed, or will complete before the start date, a PhD in the natural sciences (e.g., ecology and evolutionary biology, oceanography, physics, or a related field). Strong independence is important, and preferred experience includes machine learning, agent-based modeling, animal movement modeling, and analysis of bio-logging, bioacoustic, or oceanographic datasets. A strong publication record and science communication skills are also valued.

Deadline: 2026-12-20. Apply via the online portal and include a motivation/research statement with a mock figure, CV, references, a writing sample, and PhD certificate if available. Questions can be directed to Dr. William Oestreich.

Funding details

Fully funded for 2 years, with salary/payment according to experience and qualifications and the TVöD-Bund collective agreement.

What's required

Applicants must have completed or will complete before the start date a PhD in the natural sciences, such as ecology and evolutionary biology, oceanography, physics, or a related field. Strong independence is expected because the postdoc will lead computational and potentially fieldwork components. Desired experience includes machine learning, agent-based models, and/or animal movement models, plus prior work with bio-logging, bioacoustic, and/or oceanographic datasets. A strong publication record and enthusiasm for science communication are preferred. English is the working language; German is not required.

How to apply

Apply through the online portal by 2026-12-20. Submit a motivation/research statement with a mock figure, CV, contact details for 2-3 references, a sample of scientific writing, and PhD certificate if available.

More information can be found here

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