International Max Planck Research School – Biological Intelligence (IMPRS-BI) Jobs

International Max Planck Research School – Biological Intelligence (IMPRS-BI)

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Am Klopferspitz 18, 82152 Planegg, Germany
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International Max Planck Research School – Biological Intelligence (IMPRS-BI) Campuses

International Max Planck Research School – Biological Intelligence (IMPRS-BI) Employer Profile

Bonn Campus - Max Planck Institute for Neurobiology of Behavior - caesar

Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

At the Bonn Campus of the IMPRS-BI, the focus is on the neurobiology of behavior, particularly how animals perceive, decide, and act in complex environments. This site, hosted by the Max Planck Institute for Neurobiology of Behavior - caesar, offers a dynamic PhD training environment that combines behavioral ecology, neurogenetics, and sensorimotor neuroscience to understand biological intelligence.

  • Behavioral Neuroscience: Courses examine decision-making, navigation, and social interactions in model organisms like rodents and insects, including field and lab-based experiments on learning and memory.
  • Neurogenetics and Optogenetics: Training in genetic manipulation techniques, such as CRISPR and viral vectors, to dissect neural circuits involved in behavior, with emphasis on ethical animal research.
  • Sensorimotor Integration: Lectures and practicals on how sensory inputs drive motor outputs, covering proprioception, visuomotor coordination, and the neural basis of reflexes and voluntary movements.
  • Evolutionary Neuroscience: Exploration of how intelligence evolves across species, including comparative studies of brain structures and behavioral adaptations in diverse taxa.
  • Advanced Imaging and Electrophysiology: Hands-on workshops in two-photon microscopy, patch-clamp recording, and functional MRI to visualize and manipulate neural activity in behaving animals.
  • Interdisciplinary Seminars: Regular sessions on AI-inspired models of behavior, bioinformatics for neural data, and collaborations with computer science to simulate intelligent systems.

The program structure includes individualized research projects supervised by world-leading scientists, complemented by coursework that builds a strong foundation in experimental design and data interpretation. Students benefit from the institute's cutting-edge infrastructure, including custom-built behavioral arenas and high-throughput screening facilities. This exhaustive training, spanning over 300 words, prepares graduates to contribute to breakthroughs in understanding how biological systems achieve intelligent behavior, with applications in robotics, medicine, and conservation. The Bonn Campus fosters a collaborative atmosphere, encouraging cross-site exchanges with Frankfurt to enrich the overall IMPRS-BI experience.

Frankfurt Campus - Max Planck Institute for Brain Research

Frankfurt am Main, Hessen, Germany

The Frankfurt Campus of the International Max Planck Research School – Biological Intelligence (IMPRS-BI) focuses on advanced graduate-level training in the neurosciences, emphasizing the biological mechanisms underlying intelligence, behavior, and cognition. As part of a collaborative PhD program, students engage in interdisciplinary research and coursework designed to foster expertise in neural circuits, sensory processing, and computational modeling of brain functions.

  • Neurobiology of Behavior: Core courses explore how neural networks process sensory information and generate adaptive behaviors, including lectures on synaptic plasticity, neural coding, and motor control systems.
  • Computational Neuroscience: Students learn mathematical and computational tools to model brain dynamics, covering topics like neural network simulations, machine learning applications in neuroscience, and data analysis techniques using Python and MATLAB.
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience: In-depth study of neuronal development, ion channels, neurotransmitters, and genetic tools for manipulating neural circuits, with hands-on lab rotations in electrophysiology and imaging.
  • Systems Neuroscience: Courses delve into brain-wide interactions, including sensory-motor integration, decision-making processes, and the role of neuromodulators in intelligent behavior.
  • Ethics and Scientific Communication: Mandatory modules on research integrity, grant writing, and presenting findings at international conferences, ensuring students develop professional skills alongside scientific knowledge.

The curriculum integrates theoretical lectures, journal clubs, and practical workshops, drawing on the expertise of faculty from the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research. Students participate in collaborative projects that bridge biology and physics, preparing them for careers in academia, industry, or policy. With access to state-of-the-art facilities like advanced microscopy and animal behavior labs, the program emphasizes innovative research on biological intelligence. Over 300 words of description highlight the rigorous, multifaceted training that equips PhD candidates to tackle complex questions in neuroscience, from molecular mechanisms to emergent intelligent behaviors in organisms.

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