PhD scholarship within the GSU research training group “Task Switching Choices” starting July 1, 2026.

The scholarship amounts to 1550 € per month (1750 € for persons with children). It is limited to 3 years (01.07.2026 - 30.06.2029), but could be extended by six months, in case of successful evaluation. The PhD topic will be linked to the GSU research training group “Task Switching Choices” with a focus on “Judgment, Decision-Making” and aligned to a research unit from the German Research Foundation on Task Switching Choices led by Prof. Dr. Dr. Markus Raab. The Department of Performance Psychology belongs to the active research groups in the field of sport psychology. The department and lab language is English. The department puts its several laboratories and technical support at its disposal. Further, we offer an intensive training for post-graduates.

https://www.dshs-koeln.de/en/psychologisches-institut/performance-psychology/about-us/

Tasks:

• Completing a PhD program

• Implementation of the project

• Conducting experiments and publishing the results in peer-reviewed scientific journals

Required are:

• Completed university degree in science, which qualifies for a doctorate program, preferably in psychology or sport science, or any Master degree related to cognitive neuroscience, cognitive science, and modelling, with a link to the topic of Choices

• Experience in experimental methods

• Interest in scientific work and research

• English language skills (written and spoken)

Expected are:

• Competences in theory, experiments, and method that allow for running an experimentally-oriented PhD

• Motivated in scientific work within a research group

• Programming competences (e.g., Matlab, R)

• Specific qualification or interest in the areas linked to the research conducted at the Department of Performance Psychology

Upon equal qualification, applicants with a handicap will be given preference. The German Sport University Cologne aims to increase the proportion of women and therefore encourages applications from qualified female applicants. Women will be given preference unless there are compelling reasons in favor of a co-applicant.

The job interviews will take place on June 15, 2026 either in person or via online assessment. Travel costs are reimbursed under the regulations of the state. For preliminary content enquiries please contact Prof. Dr. Dr. Markus Raab (raab@dshs-koeln.de). For questions related to the scholarship itself, please contact Dr. Alexandra Pizzera (Tel. +49 221 4982-7580). Please send the application (motivation letter with your interest in Decision Making and Judgment Research, a CV that includes a list of competences, and the MA-thesis) by June 8, 2026 to Markus Raab (raab@dshs-koeln.de), quoting reference number 2026-TSC.