Doctoral position (m,f,x) in Computational Neuroscience (Project A10)

Ruhr University Bochum; Bochum; On-site; EUR 37,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working (mobile/teleworking)

Family-friendly arrangements

Training and development opportunities

Childcare support

Job summary

Ruhr University Bochum invites applications for a fixed-term Doctoral position (m,f,x) in Computational Neuroscience (Project A10) at the CRC 1844. The part-time appointment (29.87 hours/week, 75%) starts 01.01.2027, pending funding approval, and runs until 31.12.2030.

You will build computational models of episodic memory and spatial navigation, implement simulations, collaborate with psychologists, philosophers and neuroscientists, and present results at international conferences.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in neuroscience, physics, computer science, mathematics, psychology, or a related field.
• Ability to work independently and in interdisciplinary settings.
• Experience in mathematical modeling and computational work.
• Excellent programming skills and strong English communication.

Responsibilities

• Develop computational models of episodic memory and spatial navigation.
• Conduct simulations of experimental tasks and interpret results.
• Collaborate with experimental groups and computational neuroscientists, psychologists and philosophers.
• Present results in international conferences and journals.

Skills

Programming

Math modeling

Independent work

English communication

Team spirit

Education

Master's degree in related field

Job description

Faculty of Computer Science : CRC 1844

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

Doctoral position (m,f,x) in Computational Neuroscience (Project A10)

The Collaborative Research Center “Episodic Memory” (CRC 1844) is an interdisciplinary consortium consisting of researchers from psychology, computational neuroscience, philosophy and neuroscience. The basis for our research is the Scenario Construction Framework which conceptualizes scenarios as mental simulations of past episodes, constructed from episodic memory traces and semantic information.

We are looking for a talented graduate student who will work on computational models of the functional role of episodic memory in spatial navigation, in an interdisciplinary setting in close collaboration with experimental groups in psychology and neuroscience. The modeling project will use techniques from modern artificial neural networks and deep reinforcement learning.

Key Details

• Scope: part-time
• Duration: fixed-term, until 31.12.2030 (end of project)
• Start: from 01.01.2027, pending funding approval
• Apply by: 2026-11-02

Your tasks:

• Developing and investigating computational models of episodic memory and of spatial navigation
• Conducting simulations of experimental tasks and interpreting the results
• Engaging in interdisciplinary collaboration with experimental groups and computational neuroscientists, psychologists, and philosophers
• Presenting your results and findings in international conferences and scientific journals

Your profile:

• A master’s degree in neuroscience, physics, computer science, mathematics, psychology, or a related field
• Ability to work independently
• Motivation to work in an interdisciplinary setting
• Experience in mathematical modeling
• Excellent programming skills
• Excellent communication skills in English
• Team spirit

We offer:

• Challenging and varied tasks with a high level of independence
• Options for flexible working (mobile working and teleworking)
• Collaboration in a committed and appreciative team
• Support in combining family life and work (including childcare arrangements/holiday offers/mobile playroom)
• Extensive training and professional development opportunities

As a part of this team, you will be trained in interdisciplinary research and have access to a broad spectrum of initiatives to support you in your academic journey. The CRC will be housed at the new research building THINK in Bochum, which is not only equipped with cutting edge technology, but also houses a childcare area (which includes, e.g., an outside play area, bedroom), parent child offices, common rooms to foster networking, etc.

We are committed to providing a supportive work environment for female researchers and those with young children. Our university provides mentoring and coaching opportunities specifically aimed at women in research. We have a strong research network with female role models and will provide opportunities to meet with them. Wherever possible, events will be scheduled during regular childcare hours. Special childcare can be arranged if events must be scheduled outside of regular hours, in case of sickness and during school or daycare closures. Where childcare is not an option, parents will be offered a home office solution. We strongly encourage applications from qualified women and persons with disabilities.

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.

If the position is funded by third-party funds the employee has no teaching obligation.

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

Please contact [e-mail].

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:

Dr. Sandhiya [e-mail]

Travel costs, accommodation costs and loss of earnings or other application costs for job interviews can unfortunately not be reimbursed.