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 (This is an unpaid position and is intended as a Master’s thesis project within your academic program.) Location: Jena, Germany. Start: Flexible between May- August 2026. 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.