Neurobiology of Swarm-Forming Locusts

Supervisor: Dr. Einat Couzin-Fuchs, University of Konstanz
Starting date: spring/summer 2025
https://imprs-qbee.mpg.de/69117/neurobiology-of-swarm-forming-locusts-doctoral-position

The Couzin-Fuchs group (https://www.couzin-fuchs-lab.com/) is seeking a motivated PhD candidate to join our research on the neural basis of social plasticity and swarm formation in locusts.

Locusts are notorious plague insects that in plague years threaten the food security of millions. The
unpredictability of locust outbreaks is largely rooted in their adaptive nature: Locusts have evolved to
thrive in both isolated and gregarious conditions and can rapidly change their behavior accordingly. The
rapid transitions between solitarious and gregarious phenotypes offers an exciting model for studying
social plasticity and the emergence of collective behavior. We recently found that this transition is
accompanied by significant changes in olfactory processing, aiding the detection of sparse food sources
in crowded environments. We are now continuing to study how and why this occurs, delving into the
cellular mechanisms mediating these changes and their behavioral implications.

We are seeking for a candidate with strong interest in neurobiology to join this project. Prior
experience with functional imaging, patch clamp, and virtual reality technology is a plus but not required.
In this role, you will employ cutting-edge techniques, including 2-photon functional imaging,
electrophysiology, VR and quantitative behavior, to advance our understanding of locust neurobiology.

Join our interdisciplinary team at the neurobiology department and the Excellence Centre for the
Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour (CASCB). As part of our team, you will have the opportunity to
implement new technologies developed in our lab and CASCB and be part of a highly international,
interdisciplinary and collaborative team. The University of Konstanz and the Max Planck Society are equal
opportunity employers that are committed to provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants
without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender identity, national origin, or disability.

Interested candidates should apply via the IMPRS application system: https://imprs-qbee.cloud.opencampus.net/

For further information regarding the position, please contact Einat Couzin-Fuchs (einat.couzin@uni-konstanz.de)