Postdoc position (m/f/d) | Understanding the eco-evolutionary dynamics of seasonal migration in songbirds

The Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior at its sites in Constance 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.

The Department of Animal Migration at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior would like to fill the following position starting as soon as possible and preferably during spring 2025. The workplace will be in Radolfzell.

Postdoctoral position (m/f/d) 100% - Understanding the eco-evolutionary dynamics of seasonal migration in songbirds

The Position is initially limited for 3 years.

The project

This project is part of an ongoing research program understanding the decision rules of a migratory live in songbirds within the Partecke lab.

The study species is the Common blackbird (Turdus merula) which is either stationary year- round, partial, or full migratory. The clear-cut behavioral dichotomy of migrant versus resident phenotypes enables us to investigate both proximate and ultimate causes of migration within the same species. Using newest IoT biologging technology, we monitor, in a collaborative effort, blackbirds from various populations across entire Europe with an unprecedented high spatial and temporal resolution. In addition, we also study migration strategies of birds originating from full resident, partial or fully migratory populations that are bred under common garden conditions in our breeding facilities but then released into the wild. In addition to where individuals roam, onboard processed acceleration data allow us to estimate the energetic cost of living during the annual cycle and to determine when and where individuals die.

The aim of this project is to elucidate the decision rules that animals use to move across landscapes. What factors determine whether, when and where to migrate? Do these rules differ between populations. To what extent are these rules hard-wired, within individuals and populations, and/or plastic responses to environmental conditions. Do migrants experience different energetic costs compared to full residents during the annual cycle? Besides analysing data and writing manuscripts, the successful candidate will do field work as well.

Job requirements

Job requirements: Applicants must have a PhD degree at the start of this position. A background in animal behavior and/or ecology, experience with handling large data sets, and the analysis of animal movement data are required. Because the successful candidate will have large amounts of tracking data available strong statistical analytical and computational skills are critical. Practical experience with field work is advantageous, but not necessary. The successful candidate is also expected to have good collaborative skills and proven abilities to publish and present at a high international level.

We offer

The position will start as soon as possible, preferably during spring 2025 and is initially limited for 3 years. 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 of severely disabled persons are expressly welcome. The Max Planck Society strives for gender and diversity equality. We welcome applications from all backgrounds. For details see Diversity & Inclusion.

Your application

Interested applicants should submit

• a CV
• names and contact information for 3 references and
• a cover letter. The cover letter should include
• (1) a summary of the applicant’s research so far,
  (2) their experience with the analyses of movement and spatial data and
  (3) 1-3 research questions and approaches that the applicant would like to pursue within in the blackbird project.

by January 7, 2025 under this link: Online application.

For questions about the position please contact Dr. Jesko Partecke (partecke@ab.mpg.de).