Postdoctoral position (m/f/d) | Bonobo life history including database management

Postdoctoral position (m/f/d) | Bonobo life history including database management

Scientist Radolfzell / Konstanz Developmental and Evolutionary Biology & Genetics Behavioral Sciences Microbiology & Ecology

Job Code: 174

Job Offer from September 09, 2026

The Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior at its sites in Konstanz and Radolfzell offers an international, interdisciplinary, and cooperative 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.

For the Bonobo Behavioral Ecology Research Group at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, we are looking for a highly motivated Postdoc. The workplace will be in Konstanz, Germany.

Postdoctoral position (m/f/d) 100 % “Bonobo life history incl. database management”

The project

We are looking for a postdoc to work on our long-term database, establishing an accessible framework that allows access to our core bonobo project and its multiple accompanying projects. The bonobo project focuses on behavioral, ecological and physiological data of wild bonobos, collected over more than two decades. These data make it possible to investigate and answer proximate and ultimate questions at an individual level.

In addition, data from multiple related projects focus on the ecosystem in which the species is embedded. This includes the availability and choice of food, as well as the role of bonobos as both hunters and prey within this complex system. Line transect, camera trap, acoustic, and other survey data are available to obtain a deep understanding of the animal and plant communities in which bonobos are embedded.

The candidate will be responsible for incorporating long-term data available on various analog and digital storage media into a continuously growing relational database. Two technicians, as well as a team of experienced project members, will contribute to allow this database to grow in a meaningful way. The candidate will be expected to make use of the growing database by analyzing the project’s existing long-term data and, ideally, contributing to the project’s scientific output.

Our Group

The “Bonobo Behavioral Ecology Research Group” is an international research group led by Prof. Dr. Barbara Fruth. At the moment, our group consists of two senior researchers, one postdoc, three PhD students, several independent scientists, one database manager, several MSc students, as well as a team in the host country, DRC. We are embedded within the stimulating research environment of the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior. Remote work is possible after an initial on-site phase. Field trips are not planned in the frame of the position but can be discussed. Aside from offering promising planned projects, the vast existing datasets offer opportunities to implement and develop the candidate’s own research ideas according to their existing expertise and future research goals.

Job requirements

We are looking for a candidate with a PhD in Natural Sciences, ideally Biology, Ecology, Primatology, or a related field. Our team is highly collaborative and aims to create a friendly and jointly productive research environment. We are looking for a team player and an enthusiastic scientist. Applicants should bring:

• Proficiency in R, including the ability to understand, execute, and extend existing scripts, as well as develop new ones; and to analyze and visualize data
• Experience with relational databases (proficiency in SQL and with MS Access is an advantage)
• Experience in handling and processing large datasets, including analytical skills (Frequentist and Bayesian statistical frameworks)
• Experience in collecting and/or analyzing observational data on animal behavior, including ‘focal and party follow’ studies, as well as ‘ad libitum’ data.
• Experience in collecting and/or analyzing survey data (CT, PAM, Telemetry)
• Experience in remote sensing
• Organization skills, reliability, and a thorough work style with attention to detail
• Ability to work independently
• Strong problem-solving skills, including openness to learning new tools, software, and methods
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English; proficiency in French is a plus
• Experience in writing and publishing manuscripts (including published or accepted first-author papers)

We offer

The department offers a position for 2 years with the possibility of extension, starting in December 2026.

We offer an interesting job in an open-minded team, a responsible and varied workplace in a growing interdisciplinary and international research institute. The payment is made in accordance with your experience and qualifications and the collective agreement for the public service (TVöD-Bund).

The Max Planck Society endeavors to employ more severely disabled people. Applications from persons with severe disabilities are expressly welcome. The Max Planck Society strives for gender and diversity equality. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

How to apply

Are you interested? Then we look forward to receiving your application until October 31, 2026 via our application portal.

Please include the following documents:

• Letter of motivation (introduction of yourself and briefly outline how your research background matches the requirements of the position)
• Curriculum vitae (CV) containing your academic track record
• The contact information of two references

Questions about this position will be answered by Barbara Fruth, bfruth@ab.mpg.de.