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 Department of Collective Behavior at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior would like to fill the following position as soon as possible and preferably before October 1, 2026. The workplace will be in Konstanz, Germany.

Research Manager (m/f/d) 100 %

Our group

The Department of Collective Behavior, directed by Prof. Dr. Iain Couzin FRS, is an interdisciplinary research environment that combines experimental and theoretical approaches to uncover the principles of intelligence in nature. The department develops and applies advanced technologies, including virtual reality for animals, automated tracking, visual field reconstruction, biomimetic robotics, and computational and experimental neuroscience. The main study organisms are ants, locusts, and juvenile zebrafish.

Your tasks

The Research Manager will be responsible for maintaining the highest standards of hygiene, organization, documentation, and regulatory compliance in a small zebrafish holding facility, and invertebrate holding. This includes oversight of permits, support with permit applications, communication with authorities, maintenance of documentation systems, budget management, and oversight of purchases related to animal holding and facility operations.

The role also involves coordination between Prof. Couzin, technical assistants, animal caretakers, researchers, facility management, animal welfare officers, and veterinary authorities.

Additional Responsibilities

• Coordinate and/or deliver facility safety briefings, including annual refresher training
• Support import and export processes for animal species
• Advise department members on permits, Nagoya Protocol requirements, and fieldwork preparation
• Support documentation for temporary export of facility equipment
• Coordinate tasks of technicians and animal caretakers
• Support quality management, occupational safety, and infection control
• Serve as a key liaison between researchers and regulatory and veterinary authorities, including at the MPI-AB and University of Konstanz.

Your profile

• Proficiency in both German and Englisch is essential
• A completed degree in the natural sciences, veterinary medicine, or a related field
• At least four years of relevant professional experience (e.g., through a PhD or work in laboratory animal science)
• Experience with animal facility management, regulatory compliance, documentation, and communication with authorities. Experience with aquatic facilities would be desirable
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• The ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary environment

Our offer

We offer an interesting job in an open-minded team, a responsible and varied workplace in a growing interdisciplinary and international research institute.

The successful candidate will work in a dynamic and highly international research environment. The payment for the position is made in accordance with your experience and qualification of the collective agreement for the public service (TVöD-Bund).

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.

Your application

Are you interested? Then we are looking forward to receiving your application until July 23, 2026 with your CV and contact information from three references and a brief motivation letter through our application portal.

Questions about this position will be answered by Michael Mende.