Postdoctoral Researcher (f/m/d) | Small-Animal MRI and Cross‑Species Neuroimaging

Stellenbeschreibung:

Overview

The Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence (MPI-BI) is one of more than 80 independent research institutions within the Max Planck Society. The Institute operates at two locations southwest of Munich: Seewiesen and Martinsried. Approximately 500 staff members from over 50 countries investigate the fundamentals of how organisms adapt to changing environments and achieve complex goals, which we refer to as "biological intelligence".

Postdoctoral Researcher (f/m/d) in Small-Animal MRI and Cross‑Species Neuroimaging

The Technical University of Munich, TUM University Hospital, and the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence (MPI‑BI) are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher with expertise in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), biological/physiological sciences, and a strong interest in experimental work with small animals. The position is part of the interdisciplinary project WildBrain, which investigates how environmental transitions shape neural plasticity and behavioural individuality across mice and humans.

The successful candidate will join a collaborative team spanning TUM, MPI‑BI (Martinsried/Seewiesen), the Max Planck Institute for Human Development (Berlin), and Technische Universität Dresden, and will work closely with experts in neuroimaging, behavioural neuroscience, and cross-species data integration.

Responsibilities

Lead the acquisition, optimisation, and analysis of high‑field small-animal MRI data (structural MRI, diffusion imaging, spectroscopy) across experimental cohorts.
Develop, maintain, and harmonise MRI acquisition protocols across species, ensuring comparability between rodent and human imaging pipelines.
Contribute to cross-species methodological integration, linking rodent MRI, behavioural readouts, and cellular plasticity markers with human MRI data.
Work closely with behavioural and neurobiology teams, particularly those conducting two‑photon imaging, neurogenesis assays, and longitudinal tracking in semi-naturalistic and naturalistic mouse environments.
Support the design and execution of animal experiments in confined, semi-naturalistic, and open‑environment settings (Mouse City and Seewiesen).
Co-supervise students and assist in maintaining data quality, documentation, and reproducibility across sites.

Profile / Qualifications

A PhD in neuroscience, biomedical engineering, physics, biology, or a related discipline.
Strong practical experience in MRI, ideally including small‑animal or high‑field MRI.
Familiarity with biological experimentation, neuroanatomy, or in vivo methods.
Demonstrated interest in animal research, particularly rodent models (experience with mouse handling or physiology is an advantage).
Experience with MRI data processing, image reconstruction, pipeline development, or quantitative MRI (e.g., Python, MATLAB).
Strong motivation to work in an interdisciplinary, cross‑species framework.
Excellent communication skills and the ability to work within an international research team.

What we offer

An interesting, multifaceted and rewarding job in a scientific, modern and international environment
Opportunities for regular professional exchange, individual training and further qualification
Remuneration according to TVöD Bund, depending on qualifications, activities and experience
Social benefits of the public service (company pension scheme (VBL), annual bonus, subsidized MVV job ticket, group accident insurance)
Modern workplaces and active company health management with health and sports facilities
Work-life balance (cooperation with a family service)
A diverse working environment where equal opportunities and diversity are actively promoted

The Max Planck Society strives for gender equality and diversity. Women are expressly encouraged to apply, and the Society aims to increase the representation of underrepresented groups, including more disabled people who are explicitly encouraged to apply.