PhD position in social neuroscience (75%, 4 years; project in the CRC 1844 "Episodic Memory")

Scope: part-time
Duration: fixed-term,

31.12.2030
(end of
project)

Start: from
01.01.2027,
pending
funding
approval

Apply by: 2026-11-16

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

PhD position in social neuroscience

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 Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) 1844 "Episodic
Memory" research environment.

Your tasks:

Your profile:

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

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■

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■

We offer:

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

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.

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■

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

■

https://oeffentlicher-dienst.info/
https://oeffentlicher-dienst.info/

RUHR-UNIVERSITÄT BOCHUM
44801 Bochum
Universitätsstraße 150

https://uni.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/de/stellenangebote

procedure. Please contact wpr@rub.de.

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
2026-11-16. Please make sure to mention the reference number ANR 6193.

https://einrichtungen.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/de/familiengerechte-hochschule
https://einrichtungen.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/de/familiengerechte-hochschule