The German Primate Center (DPZ) - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research in Göttingen conducts basic research in primate biology, molecular biomedicine and neuroscience. It maintains four field stations and is a competence and reference center for research on and with primates. The DPZ is one of the 96 research and infrastructure facilities of the Leibniz Association.

**We are in search of**

## PhD position in Behavioral Biology (all genders welcome)

This is a 65% postion (E13 TV-L) for a period of 3 years. The project ist expected to commence on August 1st, 2026.

The project aims to identify the behavioral mechanisms of parochialism - how cooperation and conflict emerge within and between primate groups. The Ph.D. researcher will study red-fronted lemurs at the German Primate Center (DPZ)'s field site in Kirindy Forest, Madagascar. The researcher will conduct behavioral observations of within group social interactions as well as intergroup conflicts. In addition, behavioral experiments will be conducted to measure prosociality, social tolerance, and cooperation to assess how these behaviors relate to ingroup parochialism. This project is embedded in a DFG/NWO Weave Grant collaboration. Together with a postdoctoral researcher, as well as with Dr. Jorg Massen of the Animal Behavior and Cognition Group at Utrecht University and Prof. Carsten de Dreu of the University of Groningen we will address form and function of primate parochialism in primates. 

**Your profile**:

- A good M.Sc. degree in Behavioral Biology or a related field e.g., Cognitive Science
- Experience conducting observational and experimental studies with animals
- Experience in working in the field would be an advantage
- Advanced statistical and analytical abilities (experience using R is a plus)
- Excellent command of the English language; basic French skills but would be an advantage
- Excellent critical thinking and communication skills
What we offer:
- A highly interdisciplinary and collaborative, team-oriented research environment
- Close supervision by an interdisciplinary Thesis Advisory Committee
- Enrolment in one of the Göttingen PhD programs offering compulsory and elective courses suited to individual needs and careers goals
- subsidy for the Germany Ticket to promote sustainable mobility

We welcome diversity and therefore welcome applications from qualified people, regardless of their ethnic, cultural and social background, gender, religion, ideology, disability, age or sexual identity. Registered disabled applicants with equal aptitude and qualifications will be given preferential consideration. We kindly ask you to indicate a disability in your application.

Employment at the DPZ is based on the civil service rules and regulations. The salary scale is in accordance with TV-L, with VBL pension scheme.

**How to apply:**

Applications are due on 15.04.2026. We ask you to submit your written application as a single PDF file containing the usual documents (motivation letter, CV, and certified copies of your degree and language certificates) via email bewerbung@dpz.eu or via post: Deutsches Primatenzentrum GmbH – Leibniz Institut für Primatenforschung – Personnel Office – Kellnerweg 4 – 37077 Göttingen. Please take care to include the keyword “Behavioral Biology” in your submission. For questions about the position,please contact Dr. Claudia Fichtel (claudia.fichtel@gwdg.de). For further information please contact phone: +49 (0)551-3851-105 or see [http://www.dpz.eu.](http://www.dpz.eu/) For more information about the Leibniz Association see [www.leibniz-gemeinschaft.de](http://www.leibniz-gemeinschaft.de/)