Research Associate for the Project “Identifying early markers of aberrant cognition: oscillatory and aperiodic brain activity in adolescents at risk for schizophrenia” § 28 Subsection 3 HmbHG (2 positions)

Institution: Faculty of Psychology and Human Movement Science, Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy and Clinical Psychology and Neuroscience
Salary level: EGR. 13 TV-L
Start date: 01.02.2027 pending approval of external funding, fixed until 31.12.2030 (This is a fixed-term contract in accordance with Section 2 of the academic fixed-term labor contract act [Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz, WissZeitVG]).
Application deadline: 2026-11-15
Scope of work: part-time
Weekly hours: 75 % of standard work hours per week

Your responsibilities

Duties include academic services in the project named above. Research associates may also pursue further academic qualifications outside of their work responsibilities. They may also pursue doctoral studies outside of working duties.

The project is located within the Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) “Multiscale Neural Dynamics in Healthy and Disordered Cognition.” The interdisciplinary cluster composed of working groups from biology, medicine, psychology and neurosciences investigates the mechanisms of healthy and impaired cognition. It aims to identify new biomarkers, thereby improving the prediction of trajectories of impaired cognition and future therapeutic approaches.

The CRC follows a cross-scale and methodologically diverse research strategy that connects molecular and cellular models, animal models, and human studies. Being a member of the CRC will enable you to gain insights into different scientific approaches and methods, to network with scientists from a variety of disciplines, and to benefit from an excellent scientific environment. Your research and further qualification will be supported through a wide range of measures including methodological and content-related workshops, various support and grant funds, and scientific lecture series.

Within the CRC, you will be contributing to the piloting, implementation and further development of a research project on the topic: “Identifying early markers of aberrant cognition: oscillatory and aperiodic brain activity in adolescents at risk for schizophrenia.” The project focuses on adolescents at increased risk of developing schizophrenia and offers the opportunity to contribute to a highly relevant interface between basic and clinical research.

Key responsibilities include:

recruitment and cognitive assessment of adolescents

conducting experimental test sessions using EEG

carrying out clinical-diagnostic interviews

data analysis and evaluation, with a focus on EEG analysis

preparing English-language manuscripts for publication and presenting results at scientific conferences

close collaboration within the CRC, e.g., contributing to data integration

very strong Master’s degree in Psychology or Neuroscience

research enthusiasm, interest in the topic and willingness to dedicate yourself to ensuring the project’s successfulimplementation

prior research experience in conducting and analyzing physiological measurements (especially EEG)

advanced methodological and statistical knowledge

excellent spoken and written English skills and the willingness to publish project results internationally

strong organizational abilities (e.g., through prior project management experience)

advantageous: programming skills (e.g., in MATLAB, Presentation, E-Prime or similar tools), prior experience with computational modeling and publication experience (e.g., poster presentations and/or contributions to publications)

Your profile

A university degree in a relevant field.

We offer

close integration into an interdisciplinary Collaborative Research Centre (Psychology, Neuroscience, Biology, Psychiatry) on the topic “Multi-scale Neural Dynamics in Healthy and Disordered Cognition,” where research is conducted together with other PhD students or postdocs at the interface between basic science (from molecules to the system level) and clinical psychology

competent scientific supervision and mentoring, also beyond the primary supervisor

support in achieving your own scientific objectives and goals

access to laboratories and technical support for conducting the experimental studies

the opportunity to regularly participate in a variety of methods workshops, as well as workshops on scientific publishing

to attend regular talks in your field of research

for national and international networking (e.g., through lab rotations within the CRC)

to supervise Master’s and Bachelor’s students as part of your own research project

to pursue parallel training in psychological therapy

Reliable remuneration based on wage agreements Continuing education opportunities University pensions

Attractive location Flexible working hours Work-life balance opportunities

Health management, EGYM Wellpass

Educational leave 30 days of vacation per annum

Universität Hamburg—University of Excellence is one of the strongest research educational institutions in Germany. Our work in research,
teaching, educational and knowledge exchange activities is fostering the next generation of responsible global citizens ready to tackle the global challenges facing us. Our guiding principle “Innovating and Cooperating for a Sustainable Future in a digital age” drives collaboration with academic and nonacademic partner institutions in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region and around the world. We would like to invite you to be part of our community to work with us in creating sustainable and digital change for a dynamic and pluralist society.

The University of Hamburg is committed to equity. Diversity enriches our university life, whether in our studies, research, teaching, education, or workplace. We therefore welcome all applications, regardless of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic or social background, age, religion or belief, disability, or chronic illness.

Severely disabled and disabled applicants with the same status will receive preference over equally qualified non-disabled applicants.

Notice regarding the background check under Section 34a of the Hamburg security clearance act (Gesetz zur Regelung der Sicherheitsüberprüfungen, HmbSÜG): On behalf of the person chosen in the selection procedure, this office submits an inquiry to the state office for the protection of the constitution (Landesamt für Verfassungsschutz) regarding any available findings/information which meet the statutory requirements (background check and data protection information).

Instructions for applying

Contact

Tania Lincoln
klinische.psych@uni-hamburg.de

+49 40 2395-25360

Anja Riesel
anja.riesel@uni-hamburg.de

+49 40 2395-25763

Location

Von-Melle-Park 5
20146 Hamburg
Zu Google Maps

Reference number

268

Application deadline

2026-11-15

Use only the online application form to submit your application with the following documents:

The selection interviews are expected to take place between 26.11.-03.12.2026.
If you experience technical problems, send an email to bewerbungen@uni-hamburg.de.
More information on data protection in selection procedures.

cover letter

copies of degree certificate(s)