Share page
Medical Faculty:
Institut für Neuroinformatik
Abteilung für Neurostimulation
In order to fill a fixed-term position in full-time (39.83 hours/week = 100%) as soon as possible, we are looking for a
PhD position (f/m/d) in Computational Neurology
The Computational Neurology group at Ruhr University Bochum (RUB), led by Prof. Dr. Xenia Kobeleva, investigates clinically relevant questions in neuropsychiatry and neurodegenerative diseases using advanced computational approaches, including machine learning, artificial intelligence, and brain modeling. The group is situated in the Institute for Neural Computation and is part of the Bernstein Node Bochum of the Science Hub Neuroscience . Our group works at the interface of clinical neuroscience (neurostimulation and neurodegenerative diseases) and computational neuroscience (whole-brain network neural modeling, parameter inference, control theory), with a strong focus on translational research that connects computational methods to real-world clinical data and patient-oriented questions. Our team is young, motivated, international, and genuinely interdisciplinary, bringing together expertise from medicine, neuroscience, psychology, and quantitative sciences. Besides a direct connection to clinical neurology, we are intensively collaborating with world-leading experts for mathematics and computer science.
Scope: full-time
Duration: fixed-term, 3 Jahre
Start: as soon as possible
Apply by: 2026-04-06
Your tasks:
- Preprocess large-scale neuroimaging data of healthy participants
- Apply network neural mass models to the resulting neuroimaging data
- Enhance parameter inference through Bayesian inference and deep neural networks
Your profile:
- You are genuinely curious and interested in exploring how the brain works and what can be done to fix it in case of disorders. You can solve problems in a creative way and like to define research gaps by looking across applied and theoretical research. You have experience in interaction both with experimental and theoretical scientists.
- We are looking for highly motivated candidates with a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in either 1) mathematics, physics, computer sciences, computational neurosciences and related fields and proof of previous experience in applied biomedical research, or 2) medicine, neuroscience, psychology, biology, with additional proof of a strong programming background (esp. Python) or knowledge about dynamical systems, thus candidates with interdisciplinary experience are highly encouraged to apply.
- Necessary prerequisites are prior experience in programming with Python, demonstrable interest in quantitative research (e.g., statistics or machine learning), strong analytical skills, ability for independent, creative and critical thinking, and excellent communication and writing skills in the English language. Prior experience with neuroimaging, neural networks, or computational neuroscience (esp. nonlinear dynamics) is advantageous. Also, German language skills are a plus but not a requirement.
We offer:
- Intensive training in both computational neuroscience and clinical research and advancement of your interdisciplinary skills, making you competitive on the academic and industrial job market.
- A structured PhD position in an interdisciplinary and international research group, with close supervision, regular feedback, and individualized mentoring throughout the doctoral project. Your opinion and needs will be taken very seriously, hierarchies are very flat in our group.
- Formal integration into RUB’s university-wide doctoral support structures via the RUB Research School and International Graduate School for Neuroscience, including training in research methods, scientific writing, presentation skills, and career development.
- An inspiring research environment with strong clinical and interdisciplinary connections at the Institute for Neural Computation and Science Hub Neuroscience, fostering independent scientific thinking while providing continuous academic and career support, providing regular seminars with other members of the institute and a yearly retreat.
- Employment according to German public sector standards (TV-L), including social security benefits, paid leave, and a stable framework that enables focused, high-quality doctoral research.
- A family-friendly working environment that actively supports the reconciliation of academic work and family life, including flexible working arrangements and institutional support structures in line with RUB’s commitment to equal opportunity and diversity. We actively work against scientific misconduct by fostering an open environment and a focus on reproducible science.
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).
PhD candidates will be enrolled either as PhD candidates at the Computer Science Faculty or the International Graduate School for Neuroscience. While we encourage flexible working conditions, the position is on-site, as we value the social component of research and mixing within our group a lot.
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:
Sven Liebthal , Tel.: +49 234 32 26733
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 2026-04-06. Please make sure to mention the reference number ANR 5557.
RUHR-UNIVERSITÄT BOCHUM
44801 Bochum
Universitätsstraße 150
SOCIAL MEDIA