博士研究生（不限性别，m/f/d）|海洋集体智能

该项目通过生物记录数据、声呐仪测量数据及水听器录音数据的计算分析，研究蓝鲸和抹香鲸等海洋捕食动物的社会觅食行为与集体行为。研究目的是了解这些动物在海洋独特环境中捕猎时如何利用社会信息。申请者应具备编程技能及自然科学背景。

Project details: This PhD project will be a part of the Oceanic Collective Intelligence project funded by the Carl Zeiss Stiftung Nexus Programme. The research will involve developing computational approaches to analyze, integrate, and interpret diverse, complex datasets which provide insights into the behavior of oceanic predators and prey. First, we use bio-logging devices (archival instrument suites attached to animals) to make detailed observations of predator behavior (3D movement, individual feeding events, acoustic behavior, etc.). Second, we use echosounders (“active” acoustic sensing) to quantify the prey resource landscape (density, abundance, and coarse taxonomic composition of prey aggregations). Finally, we leverage long-term seafloor hydrophone deployments (“passive” acoustic sensing) to quantify the social information available to predators. The PhD student will have access to existing datasets as well as the opportunity to collect additional data from these platforms in the California Current Ecosystem during the PhD. Using these data, the successful candidate will address questions regarding when, why, and how oceanic predators (blue and/or sperm whales) produce and use social information while foraging under the unique constraints and opportunities afforded by life in the pelagic ocean.

资格要求： 该学生需主动提出并实施研究思路以推动项目的进展；因此，高度的独立性至关重要。理想的申请者应热衷于运用定量方法解决生物学问题。拥有编程（如R、Python、MATLAB等）、科学写作及生态野外调查经验者更为理想。鉴于我们研究小组及该项目的高度合作性质，对国际性、跨学科合作的兴趣与能力均受到重视。我们的研究小组还重视社区推广与交流，因此对广泛的科学传播工作也充满热情。 该招生名额面向已完成自然科学领域（如生态与进化生物学、海洋学、物理学或其他相关学科）或数学专业的理学硕士课程的学生开放。该研究所的通用语言为英语（无需具备德语能力）。

我们提供的待遇： 该申请者将加入动物社会生态学系下的集体生态学小组，入职日期为2027年夏季/秋季。该项目的部分工作将与蒙特雷湾水族馆研究所及卡斯卡迪亚研究集体合作开展。成功的申请者将加入一个支持性、国际化的跨学科研究团队，能够获得优质的学术与职业指导，有机会参与课程学习与会议活动，并拥有作为计算生物学家和野外生物学家的成长机会。 该学生还将成为国际马克斯·普朗克定量行为、生态与进化研究学院（IMPRS-QBEE）的成员。该学院是马克斯·普朗克动物行为研究所与康斯坦茨大学联合举办的合作博士项目。康斯坦茨大学与马克斯·普朗克动物行为研究所共同构成了一个充满活力的跨学科研究环境。 该职位将获得全额资助，持续4年（根据TVöD工资标准，级别为E-13，占比65%）。马克斯·普朗克科学促进学会致力于雇佣更多残疾程度较重的人士。明确欢迎残疾程度较重的人员提交申请。 马克斯·普朗克科学促进学会致力于实现性别与多样性平等。我们欢迎来自不同背景的申请人申请。

How to apply: Are you interested? Then we look forward to receiving your application by November 15, 2026 through Online Portal . Please include the following application materials: Letter of motivation / research statement (2 pages) 1 page: Describe your main research interests, how they developed, and how they relate to the proposed research project. 1 page: Describe 1-2 biological questions you would like to ask or hypotheses you would like to test using the described dataset(s), and explain the analytical approach(es) you would use to address them. Please include a mock figure (preferably hand-drawn) of what your results might look like and a brief interpretation of your potential findings. Please note that this letter is an opportunity for you to develop your ideas and demonstrate how you would address scientific questions with quantitative approaches. This is not meant as a full-fledged PhD proposal, and you will not be expected to carry out the exact ideas you propose should you join our team! Curriculum vitae (CV) Contact information for 2-3 references Academic transcripts for your BSc and MSc degrees. Transcripts can be unofficial at this stage – official records will be required before acceptance. A sample of your scientific writing (e.g., publication or manuscript in prep, thesis, term paper, etc.)