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Faculty of Psychology :
Predictive Cognition
In order to fill a fixed-term position in part-time (29.87 hours/week = 75%) at the earliest possible date, we are looking for one
Doctoral Researcher (m/f/d) in Predictive Cognition, 75% TV-L E13, 3 years
The Department of Predictive Cognition is a newly established research unit within the Faculty of Psychology. After the completion of the new THINK research building on the former Opel site Mark 51°7, the team will move there (https://www.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/think/index.html.en).
The research focus is on combining neuroimaging and behavioural measurements with computational models to understand how the human brain learns and uses prior expectations during speech and face perception. More information can be found here: https://www.predcog.psy.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/pred/index.html.en
Scope: part-time
Duration: fixed-term, 3 years
Start: at the earliest possible date
Apply by: 2026-04-20
Your tasks:
- Participation in the execution and organization of research projects
- Guided, but also independent execution of experimental research work in the aforementioned subject area, from programming experimental setups, data acquisition, and data analysis, to the dissemination of the results
- Presentation of research results at national and international conferences
- Publication of research results in scientific journals
- Application of Open Science Practices
- Contribution to university education in psychology (e.g., teaching a seminar, co-supervision of exercises, and student work)
Your profile:
- Master in Neuroscience, Cognitive Science, Psychology, or a related discipline
- Experience in conducting, programming, and analysing (e.g., EEG/fMRI) experiments
- Experience and strong interest in using neuroimaging methods, such as 3T and 7T MRI, EEG, and/ or eye tracking
- Excellent experience in programming (e.g., Python, MATLAB)
- Keen interest in experimental approaches to study predictive processing, learning, and communication
- Strong organizational skills
- A high level of spoken and written English
- Highly self-motivated and eager to learn
- Ability to work both independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team
We offer:
Challenging and varied tasks with a high level of independence, Employment at one of the largest universities in Germany within the University Alliance Ruhr, Collaboration in a committed and appreciative team
- A modern, well-equipped workplace with a research-dedicated 3T MR scanner, eye-tracking, and EEG laboratories, excellent infrastructure for behavioural testing, as well as access to a 7T MR scanner
- Support from and cooperation with competent colleagues
- A friendly and collegial environment
- Opportunity to get hands-on supervision for learning various data acquisition and analysis techniques (e.g., representational similarity analysis (RSA))
- A dynamic, interdisciplinary, and international research environment within the Institute of Systems Neuroscience
- Multiple training opportunities within the University (e.g., https://www.research-school.rub.de/)
Further information:
The position is salaried and based on the collective agreement of the Länder (TV-L). If the personal and collective agreement requirements are met, the employee will receive pay grade E13 TV-L.
Further information can be found at (in German).
The place of work is Ruhr University Bochum.
The load of teaching will be calculated according to § 3 of Lehrverpflichtungsverordnung (state of North Rhine-Westphalia).
Please send your complete and informative application documents (informative cover letter, CV, motivation letter, contact information of two referees) as one pdf document with the specification “PhD PredCog”.
RUB sees itself as a university with an international presence. The campus languages are German and English. Competence in at least one of the two languages and the willingness to learn the other are a prerequisite. RUB provides corresponding free courses for employees.
German language courses are offered by the University Language Center (ZFA) in the field of German as a Foreign Language (DaF). https://www.daf.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/sbgk/index.html.en
The Staff Council has the right to participate in all selection interviews. At the request of a candidate (m/f/x), it will ensure its participation in the entire procedure. Please contact wpr@rub.de.
The Ruhr-Universität Bochum is one of Germany’s leading research universities, addressing the whole range of academic disciplines. A highly dynamic setting enables researchers and students to work across the traditional boundaries of academic subjects and faculties. To create knowledge networks within and beyond the university is Ruhr-Universität Bochum’s declared aim.
The Ruhr-Universität Bochum stands for diversity and equal opportunities. For this reason, we favour a working environment composed of heterogeneous teams, and seek to promote the careers of individuals who are underrepresented in our respective professional areas. The Ruhr-Universität Bochum expressly requests job applications from women. In areas in which they are underrepresented they will be given preference in the case of equivalent qualifications with male candidates. Applications from individuals with disabilities are most welcome.
Contact persons for further information:
Prof. Dr. Helen Blank , Tel.: +49 234 32 18463
Travel costs, accommodation costs and loss of earnings or other application costs for job interviews can unfortunately not be reimbursed.
We look forward to receiving your application via our online application portal by 2026-04-20. Please make sure to mention the reference number ANR 5582.
RUHR-UNIVERSITÄT BOCHUM
44801 Bochum
Universitätsstraße 150
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