Each year billions of animals navigate with pinpoint accuracy over vast distances and move millions of tonnes of biomass across the globe. To find their way, animals use many senses including vision, olfaction, and a magnetic sense, seemingly based on quantum mechanical effects at ambient temperature. The Cluster of Excellence “NaviSense”, funded since January 2026, provides a thorough, interdisciplinary understanding of the senses and mechanisms used by animals to navigate, and how these mechanisms can inspire technology and impact society, ecology, and biodiversity.
To achieve our mission, we unite internationally leading scientists from different branches of biology, physics, chemistry, computer sciences, and social sciences from the University of Oldenburg, Institute of Avian Research (Wilhelmshaven), University of Bayreuth, University of Groningen, Lund University and University of Oxford. As a team, we will carry out uniquely interdisciplinary research that goes far beyond what the individuals and disciplines could have achieved working alone.
(Planned) Support Activities for Postdocs
Career Development Program & Career Symposia | Workshops on Grant Writing, Transferable Skills, etc. | Mentoring Scheme | Individual Coaching | Networking Events | Funding Possibilities for Postdoctoral Fellowships and Independent Junior Research Group Leaders | Annual Retreats | Writing Retreats | Support of Expectant and New Parents and Researchers with Disabilities and Care Duties | Seed Funding for Interdisciplinary Pilot Projects | Postdoc Representative in the Cluster Board
Recruiting
Open positions are listed on the cluster’s website and on LinkedIn. In addition, the positions will be advertised at the website of the respective participating institution where the position is located. Most of the positions are available at the University of Oldenburg as managing university of NaviSense, others at the Institute of Avian Research “Vogelwarte Helgoland” or the University of Bayreuth.
Find out more
