Doctoral Researcher (m/f/d) in Predictive Cognition
Dein Job
Faculty of Psychology:
Predictive Cognition
In order to fill a fixed-term position in part-time (29.8725 hours/week = 75%) 01.09.2025, we are looking for 1
Doctoral Researcher (m/f/d) in Predictive Cognition
The Department of Predictive Cognition is a newly established research unit within the Faculty of Psychology. After the completion of the new THINK research building on the former Opel site Mark 51°7, the team will move there https://www.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/think/index.html.en
Your tasks:
We are seeking a highly motivated PhD student to join our research group exploring the interplay between prior expectations and perception in the human brain.
This interdisciplinary project combines eye tracking, neuroimaging (fMRI, EEG), behavioural experiments, and computational modelling to investigate how the brain learns, updates, and applies prior knowledge during speech and face perception. Key research questions include:
- How do our expectations shape the way we sample and interpret sensory information?
- How are prior beliefs formed, maintained, and revised in dynamic environments?
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work at the intersection of cognitive neuroscience, machine learning, and perceptual science, contributing to cutting-edge questions in predictive coding, Bayesian inference, and adaptive behaviour. More information on our research can be found here: https://www.predcog.psy.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/pred/index.html.en
- Participation in the execution and organization of research projects
- Guided, but also independent execution of experimental research work in the aforementioned subject area, from programming experimental setups, data acquisition, and data analysis, to the dissemination of the results
- Presentation of research results at national and international conferences
- Publication of research results in scientific journals
- Application of Open Science Practices
- Contribution to university education in psychology (e.g., teaching a seminar, co-supervision of exercises, and student work)
Dein Profil
Your profile:
- A Master of Science or an equivalent degree in neuroscience, cognitive science, psychology, or a related discipline
- Strong experience in programming (e.g., Python, MATLAB)
- Keen interest in experimental approaches to study predictive processing, learning, and communication
- Experience in conducting experiments with humans
- Experience and/or strong interest in using eye tracking and neuroimaging methods, such as 3T and 7T MRI, and EEG
- Strong organizational skills
- A high level of spoken and written English (C1/C2)
- Highly self-motivated and eager to learn
- Ability to work both independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team
We offer:
- Challenging and varied tasks with a high level of independence
- Employment at one of the largest universities in Germany within the University Alliance Ruhr
- Collaboration in a committed and appreciative team
- A modern, well-equipped workplace with a research-dedicated 3T MR scanner, eye-tracking, and EEG laboratories, excellent infrastructure for behavioural testing, as well as access to a 7T MR scanner
- A friendly and collegial environment
- Opportunity to get hands-on supervision for learning various data acquisition and analysis techniques (e.g., representational similarity analysis (RSA))
- A dynamic, interdisciplinary, and international research environment within THINK
- Multiple training opportunities within the University (e.g., https://www.research-school.rub.de/)
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 E13 TV-L.
Further information can be found at https://oeffentlicher-dienst.info/ (in German).
The place of work is Ruhr University Bochum.
The load of teaching will be calculated according to § 3 of Lehrverpflichtungsverordnung (state of North Rhine-Westphalia).
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/sbgk/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. Helen Blank +49 234 32 28213
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 2025-06-18. Please make sure to mention the reference number ANR 4623.
Deine Benefits
Stellenmerkmale
Dein Beschäftigungsumfang
Teilzeit (befristet)
Dein Gehalt
Nach Vereinbarung
Dein Arbeitsplatz:
vor Ort
Dein Büro:
Raum Bochum