Masters Thesis | Chemical Ecology

The Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology are offering a Master’s thesis project for motivated students (m/f/d) interested in insect behavior, olfaction, and chemical ecology .

Project overview

You will work with Drosophila Suzukii and Drosophila Melanogaster to study how flies respond to complex odor environments. Your work will include:

• Testing behavioral responses to odor combinations
• Comparing odor preferences across different experimental settings
• Performing odor collection and GC‑MS analysis to investigate the temporal stability of odor blends

Project details

This project offers a unique opportunity to:

• Gain hands‑on experience with behavioral assays in Drosophila
• Learn chemical analysis techniques (GC‑MS)
• Work at a leading research institute in chemical ecology
• Contribute to a project with applied relevance (e.g., pest management)
• Duration: 4–6 months
• Type: Independent Master’s thesis (unpaid position intended as a Master’s thesis project within your academic program)
• Location: Jena, Germany
• Start: Flexible between May - August 2026

Ideal candidates

This project is ideal for students who:

• are looking for a Master’s thesis project
• have an interest in neuroscience, behavior, ecology, or chemical biology

Application deadline is May 20, 2026.