PhD position in social neuroscience

Faculty of Medicine :
Chair of Social Neuroscience
In order to fill a fixed-term position in part-time (29.87 hours/week = 75%;) from 01.01.2027, pending funding approval, we are looking for 1

The Department of Social Neuroscience at the Faculty of Medicine is part of the Research Center One Health Ruhr of the University Alliance Ruhr and investigates the neurobiological mechanisms underlying social processes in humans. Our laboratory combines neuroimaging methods, including fMRI, fNIRS, and mobile EEG, with psychophysiological recordings, hormonal assessments, and experimental behavioral approaches.

The PhD candidate will investigate the neural mechanisms of socially distributed episodic memory through experimental studies, data collection and analysis, and collaboration within the CRC 1844 research environment.

Your tasks:

• Conducting experimental studies on social interaction and episodic memory
• Collection and analysis of behavioral, fMRI, and fNIRS data
• Presentation of research findings at national and international scientific conferences
• Publication of results in international peer-reviewed journals
• Active participation in the scientific activities and training program of CRC 1844
• Co-supervision of research assistants and student theses

Your profile:

• A very good university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in psychology, cognitive neuroscience, neuroscience, or a related field
• Strong interest in social neuroscience, episodic memory, and neuroimaging
• Very good knowledge of research methods and statistics
• High level of commitment, reliability, and ability to work independently as well as collaboratively
• Very good command of written and spoken English
• Previous experience with one or more project-relevant methods, particularly fMRI or fNIRS, is an advantage but not mandatory
• Programming and data-analysis skills, for example in MATLAB, R, or Python, are an advantage but not mandatory
• Knowledge of German is an advantage but not mandatory

We offer:

• Intensive supervision and support throughout your doctoral qualification
• Integration into the interdisciplinary and international research environment of CRC 1844
• Close collaboration with researchers from psychology, neuroscience, computational neuroscience, and philosophy
• Funding and support for participation in national and international conferences, workshops, and research stays
• Training opportunities in neuroimaging, advanced statistical methods, programming, open science, transferable skills, and career development
• Excellent research facilities and access to state-of-the-art methods, including 3T fMRI, wireless fNIRS, mobile EEG, psychophysiology, and behavioral testing
• A stimulating scientific environment within the Department of Social Neuroscience and the broader neuroscience community at Ruhr University Bochum

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 TV-L E13 TV-L.

Further information can be found at https://oeffentlicher-dienst.info/ (in German).

The place of work is Ruhr University Bochum.
If the position is funded by third-party funds the employee has no teaching obligation.

The CRC will be located in the new THINK research building in Bochum, which offers state-of-the-art research infrastructure as well as facilities designed to support collaboration and family-friendly working conditions.
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/daf/mitarbeitende/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. Dirk Scheele , Tel.: +49 234 32 28696
Frau Iman Omeirat , Tel.: +49 234 32 15635

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 2026-10-26. Please make sure to mention the reference number ANR 6193.

Online application

Online application