Researcher in sensory biology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Subject description
This position is part of Professor Marie Dacke’s reserach project “Navigating the most challenging habitats on earth: unravelling the architecture of a universal compass system”. A quickly growing pool of studies indicates that neuronal networks are modulated in a context-dependent manner. Therefore, to truly understand how a compass works, and to formulate the core computational algorithms underlying this remarkable system, we need to study the neuronal compass networks compass of freely orienting insect. The large dung-beetles, with their easily manipulated orientation behavior, offers a unique opportunity to attain this.

Work duties

• Detailed comparative behavioural and neuronal analysis of the use of directional memories in different species of dung beetles navigating in different visual environments.
• Organisation and management of behavioural and neuronal studies both in the field (circa 5 weeks per year) and in the laboratory.
• Analysis of data collected and publication of articles in top-tier scientific journals.
• Supervision of degree projects and doctoral students.
• Actively seeking external research funding and administration related to the work duties listed above

Qualification requirements

Applicants must have

• A PhD or equivalent research qualification within the subject of the position.
• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Experience with the training, handling of different insect species, preferably beetle species.
• Good working knowledge of brain analysis using confocal microscopy and the 3D reconstruction program AMIRA (or similar).
• Postdoctoral studies corresponding to at least 3 years, together with at least 2 publications arising from this period of postdoctoral study.
• Experience of field behavioural experiments is preferable.

Assessment criteria and other qualifications
Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

Terms of employment
Fixed-term employment (100%), 24 months

Contact person: Professor Marie Dacke

Instructions on how to apply
Applications shall be written in English and be compiled into a PDF-file containing:

• résumé/CV, including a list of publications
• a general description of past research and future research interests (no more than three pages)
• contact information of at least two references
• copy of the doctoral degree certificate, and other certificates/grades that you wish to be considered