PhD student position in Cognitive Computational Neuroscience of Language

The University of Potsdam, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Psychology, Cognitive Sciences Unit invites applications for the following position at the Cognitive Neurosciences Lab (led by Milena Rabovsky) limited to 3 years, to be filled as soon as possible:

PhD student position (f/m/d)
ID no. 322/2026

The goal of the project is to investigate the relationship between language model–derived surprisal measures and human language processing, combining EEG data, reading time measures, and linguistic analyses of semantics and syntax.

The position is funded as part of the project “Interpretable Surprisal: Language Models Between Linguistic Structure and Neural Evidence” (PIs Alessandro Lopopolo and Milena Rabovsky), within the DFG Priority Programme SPP 2556 “Robust Assessment & Safe Applicability of Language Modeling: Foundations for a New Field of Language Science & Technology” (LaSTing, https://www.lasting-spp.org/). The salary and benefits are determined by the collective bargaining agreement for public employees in Germany (TV-L 13 Ost; 75%). This is a temporary position initially limited to a term of 36 months.

The University of Potsdam hosts leading groups in cognitive sciences and linguistics, providing a vibrant interdisciplinary scientific environment (http://www.uni-potsdam.de/en/cognitive-sciences/index.html).  Potsdam is an attractive historical city, and its palaces are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Furthermore, Potsdam is at close commuting distance to Berlin, a culturally vibrant and progressive city.

Project and responsibilities

The aim of this project is to investigate the cognitive plausibility of language model–derived surprisal as a measure of human language processing. In particular, it examines how surprisal relates to linguistic structure (syntax and semantics) and to human behavioral and neural data (e.g., EEG). A central goal is to determine to what extent the relationship between surprisal and human responses is mediated or modulated by underlying linguistic information.

The successful candidate will develop and evaluate computational language models, derive surprisal-based measures, and conduct EEG and behavioral experiments on human language processing. Responsibilities include analyzing neural and linguistic data, working with large-scale computational infrastructure, collaborating within the research network, and publishing and presenting results internationally.

Your Qualifications:

• Very good Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Cognitive Science, Cognitive Neuroscience, Computational Linguistics, or related disciplines)
• Strong programming skills (e.g., Python, MATLAB, R), including familiarity with machine learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch)
• Experience with and interest in neuroscientific methods (preferably EEG)
• Excellent skills in advanced statistical analyses
• Excellent writing, communication, and presentation skills in English
• Strong interest in the lab’s research focus, including cognitive neuroscience, language processing, prediction, and event-related brain potentials (ERPs)
• High motivation and commitment
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We are also looking for the following competences:

• Experience in training and evaluating language models
• Familiarity with NLP tools and libraries (e.g., tokenizers, parsers such as spaCy, Stanza, or similar)
• Familiarity with linguistic theory (e.g., syntax, semantics, or formal linguistic frameworks)
• Familiarity with working on servers and high-performance computing (HPC) environments
• Experience in research on language processing, prediction, or related cognitive processes
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What We Offer:

As a university, we combine the strong potential for development of a teaching and research institution with the attractive working conditions of the public sector. The University of Potsdam is a reliable employer that supports its employees with a variety of offers and benefits: 

• Make the most of the various continuing education and networking opportunities offered by the University of Potsdam to refine your subject-specific and interdisciplinary competencies for professional as well as personal growth.
• All campuses have good transport connections. You can receive a monthly subsidy for the public transport job ticket and use our campus bicycles.
• Benefit from a company pension scheme, a special annual payment, and capital-forming benefits.
• Take advantage of the various offers from our Occupational Health Management unit as well as the Academic Sports Center.
• To improve employees’ work-life balance, the University of Potsdam offers family-friendly flexible working hours and a defined share of remote working hours (e.g. work from home).
• You have 30 vacation days per year (with a 5-day week) and are also exempt from work on December 24 and 31. 
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For further information about this position, please contact Dr. Alessandro Lopopolo by e-mail: lopopolo@uni-potsdam.de.

The University of Potsdam strives to maintain gender balance among its staff. Severely disabled applicants shall receive preference in case of equal qualifications. We expressly invite applications from people with migration backgrounds. 

Please send your application (including ID nr. 322/2026, letter of motivation, CV, at least 1 name of a potential referee, copies of academic certificates) as a single pdf file to Alessandro Lopopolo at lopopolo@uni-potsdam.de until June 30, 2026 for full consideration (late applications may be considered until the position is filled).