We seek an outstanding scientist for a
postdoctoral position to develop, and employ, immersive 3D closed-loop virtual
reality (VR) environments to investigate visually-mediated social behaviours in
fish. Like other group-living vertebrates fish must respond rapidly to changing
visual cues in order to effectively employ social information when making
movement decisions. Consequently they are an excellent system for investigating
the process by which complex, high-dimensional visual information is translated
into low-level movement decisions. Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in computer
science, robotics, biophysics, neuroscience, physics, or a related field. Expertise
in developing closed-loop VR environments is not essential, but applicants must
be skilled in C++ and/or Python and have experience with computer vision / 3D
computer graphics.
This project is a close collaboration
between Iain D. Couzin (MPIO and U. Konstanz, Konstanz), where the postdoctoral
fellow will be based, and Andrew Straw (IMP Vienna) an expert on closed-loop
VR. The position is available initially for 2 years from Feb 2015, with the
possibility of extension based on performance.
The new Department of Collective Behavior
is located on the campus of the University of Konstanz in the historic city of
Konstanz, by Lake Constance in southern Germany. It is approximately 50 minutes
(by train or car) from Zurich International Airport and closely affiliated with
the nearby Max Planck Department of Migration and Immuno-Ecology in Radolfzell.
The Max Planck Institutes and the
University of Konstanz focus on excellence in research and the successful
applicant will benefit from excellent infrastructure, opportunities for
training and a highly collaborative and international research environment. The
working language is English and consequently applicants must be fluent in this
language; knowledge of German is not necessary.
Applications, including a CV, and in
addition a 2-page description of past research activities should be sent, in
PDF format, to icouzin@orn.mpg.de with
subject line “MPI Fish VR”. In addition, applicants should arrange to have
three letters of recommendation sent separately to dpiechowski@orn.mpg.de. Review of
applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
The Max Planck Society and the University
of Konstanz are committed to increasing the number of individuals with
disabilities in their workforce and therefore we encourage applications from
such qualified individuals. Furthermore, we seek to increase the number of
women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly
encourages women to apply. We offer extensive support to help researchers
balance professional and home life, including assistance with childcare and
support of the elderly, and flexibility in how employees arrange working hours.
For details see http://www.mpg.de/equal_opportunities
For further information
regarding this position please contact Iain D. Couzin, Director and Chair. (icouzin@orn.mpg.de)