Create an account and submit the application through the IMPRS-QBEE application system. The portal says email applications will not be considered.
Open step linkUpload a CV; names and contact details (email and phone) for two referees; and a research statement of no more than two pages following the advert’s instructions.
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The Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior is recruiting a PhD researcher for “Cultural Grooming and Social Bonds in Great Apes,” within the IMPRS for Quantitative Behaviour, Ecology and Evolution. The project examines grooming handclasps among apes and how cultural practices relate to social interactions. It combines existing video data, quantitative analysis and behavioural fieldwork.
The position is funded for 3.5 years, with a flexible start between January and March 2027. The employment arrangement is 65% of TVöD salary scale E13.
Applicants must have completed a Master’s degree by the start date in biology, ecology, psychology, evolutionary anthropology or another relevant field.
The project welcomes applicants from different backgrounds. Experience with observational data collection, behavioural video coding, statistical analysis, social network analysis or programming such as R is desirable, but the advert emphasizes motivation and willingness to learn.
English is the group’s working language. German is not required.
The advert does not give a single salary amount. Actual pay depends on the applicable employment details; applicants should confirm these with the employer.
Submit through the official application portal:
The research statement must describe the applicant’s research interests and how they relate to the project. It must also outline one or two research questions or hypotheses, proposed analytical approaches, a simple mock figure, and how the results might be interpreted.
The Master’s degree must be completed by the start date. The project is based in Konstanz and includes behavioural fieldwork.
The advert does not state an application fee or list applicant-paid costs. I cannot confirm these from the official sources reviewed.
The project advert does not explicitly confirm visa or work-permit assistance. Employment or selection does not guarantee visa approval.
The official project page confirms the project, 3.5-year funding, 65% TVöD E13 employment, qualifications, application documents and deadline. The application portal specifies 23:59 CET and says applications must be submitted through the portal; email applications are not considered.
The portal’s timezone label should be clarified before publication because the deadline falls during German daylight-saving time. No fixed salary amount, application fee, applicant-cost breakdown or visa assistance is stated in the sources reviewed.
