The department of Systems Neuroscience and Neuroengineering at the Max Planck Institute forBiological Cybernetics is launching a new multi-year interdisciplinary project to understand the mechanisticbasis of spatial cognition. The department is jointly led by Max Planck Research Group leaders - Drew Robson and Jennifer Li. This pioneering research program will combine brain-wide neuralrecording in freely moving zebrafish during naturalistic spatial navigation and learning (e.g. Yang et al, Nature,2024),synapse-level reconstructions of brain-wide cognitive networks in collaborationwith the Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, and brain-wide molecular profiling of spatial cellsin collaboration with the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence. We aim to discover principles ofcognitive processing that can broadly impact our understanding of both biological and artificial intelligence.

This project will be supported by an ERC Synergy Grant (2025-2031), and the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics. We are recruiting for multiple positions (bothpostdoctoral and PhD) to begin in 2025 and 2026.

Application requirements

• Candidates should have substantial research experience and a record of publications in 1) experimental or computational neuroscience, or 2) optical engineering or robotics.
• Expertise in a programming language (e.g. Julia, Python, MATLAB, or C++) is required
• The ideal candidate is highly motivated, creative, and collaborative, with a strong computationalbackground.

Application materials

• CV
• Cover letter
• Contact information of three references

Applications

Applications are considered on a rolling basis. Please send application material to jennifer.li@tuebingen.mpg.dewith the subject heading: Cognectomics-App.

The Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics aims to understand information processing in the brain through an interdisciplinary research program bridging experimental, theoretical, and computational neuroscience.

Remuneration is based on qualifications and professional experience in accordance with the collective agreement for the public service (TVöD Bund) plus various social benefits
and additional old-age pensions.

The Max Planck Society encourages diversity in its work culture. People from all backgrounds and genders are invited to apply.