PhD student (m/f/d) | Cultural grooming and social bonds in Great Apes

PhD student (m/f/d) | Cultural grooming and social bonds in Great Apes

Young Researchers Radolfzell / Constance Developmental and Evolutionary Biology & Genetics Behavioral Sciences Microbiology & Ecology

Job Code: 176

Job Offer from September 29, 2026

The Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior at its sites in Konstanz and Radolfzell offers an international, interdisciplinary, and collaborative 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 Minerva Fast Track Group “Culture and Social Behavior” at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior would like to fill the following position with an expected starting date on January 1, 2027, and no later than March 1, 2027. This position is fully funded for a period of 3.5 years. The workplace will be in Constance, Germany.

PhD student (m/f/d) 100 % “Cultural Grooming and Social Bonds in Great Apes”

Our group

We are seeking a curiosity-driven, collaborative PhD student to join the Minerva Fast Track Group “Culture and Social Behavior”, led by Dr. Zoë Goldsborough. The overall focus of the group is on the feedback between cultural practices and social relationships in non-human primates, combining existing observational data, quantitative modeling, and fieldwork.

Project details

The PhD project will largely focus on a cultural grooming practice, the grooming handclasp, in captive and wild apes. This behavior is one of few known cultural traditions in animals that involves two participants, making it an ideal study system for understanding how culture may affect social interactions. Grooming handclasps are flexible and dynamic exchanges, for which comparatively little is known about their functions and the mechanisms through which individuals coordinate and communicate (see also this paper). This project will combine existing (video) data with behavioral fieldwork to uncover the functions, coordination mechanisms, and social consequences of this rare interactive social custom.

The successful candidate will develop their own project and have a large degree of independence in determining their specific research focus (for example, communication, social learning, cumulative cultural evolution, or other related themes).

Your qualifications

This call is open to candidates who have completed a Master’s degree (by the start date) in biology, ecology, psychology, evolutionary anthropology, or another relevant field. Desirable experience includes observational data collection and behavioralvideo coding, skills in statistical data analysis (especially social network analyses), and programming (e.g., in R). More important than specific prior experience is enthusiasm for learning and the demonstrable motivation to conduct independent, collaborative research. The working language of the group is English, and German language skills are not a requirement.

Our offer

The student will join the Minerva Fast Track Group “Culture and Social Behavior” and be integrated within the Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies. The handclasp component of the project will be conducted in collaboration with Prof. Edwin van Leeuwen and Prof. Raphaela Heesen, who will also provide guidance to the student. The successful candidate will have access to regular mentorship in academic and career development, the ability to participate in methods courses and conferences, as well as logistical support and training for fieldwork and quantitative analysis.

The student will also join the International Max Planck Research School for Quantitative Behaviour, Ecology and Evolution from lab to field (IMPRS-QBEE), a cooperative doctoral program between the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior and the University of Konstanz. The University of Konstanz and the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior together form a dynamic and interdisciplinary research environment. The position is fully funded for 3.5 years (TVöD salary scale E-13, 65%). 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.

How to apply

Are you interested? Then we look forward to receiving your application until October 23, 2026, through IMPRS application system.

Please include the following documents:

• Research statement (max. 2 pages) addressing the following points: Describe your main research interests, how they developed, and how they relate to the proposed research project (approx. 1 page). Describe one or two biological questions or hypotheses you would like to explore regarding the grooming handclasp or other intersections of culture and social behavior. Briefly outline the analytical approach(es) you might use to address them. Please also include a simple mock figure (hand-drawn is fine) illustrating what your results might look like, and how you would interpret these results (approx. 1 page).
• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• One letter of recommendation and contact information for 1 further personal reference.
• Academic transcripts for your BSc and MSc degrees (can be unofficial at this stage – official records will be required before acceptance)

Questions about this position should be addressed to Zoë Goldsborough, zgoldsborough@ab.mpg.de.