Doctoral Position (m,f,x) in Computational Neuroscience (Project Z02)

Ruhr University Bochum; Bochum; Hybrid; EUR 50.000 - 60.000; Teilzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Flexible working

Childcare support

Mobile working

Holiday offers

On-boarding

Zusammenfassung

Ruhr-Universität Bochum invites applications for a Doctoral Position (m,f,x) in Computational Neuroscience within CRC 1844. The fixed-term, 75% position runs from 01.01.2027 to 31.12.2030.

Tasks include analyzing behavioral data from gamified episodic memory tasks and translating lab experiments into a serious-game framework. German and English proficiency are valued, with strong collaboration across disciplines.

Qualifikationen

• A master’s degree in computational neuroscience, physics, mathematics, or computer science.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Strong mathematical modeling and statistics skills.
• Excellent English communication.
• Experience in neuroscience research.

Aufgaben

• Analyze behavioral data from gamified EM tasks and develop new analyses.
• Adapt lab experiments into a serious game setting with Cologne Game Lab.
• Validate collected EM data with experimental CRC projects.
• Assist outreach coordinator with participant recruitment.
• Correlate memory data with demographic and psychological data with DZPG.
• Present results at international conferences and journals.

Kenntnisse

Python

Independent work

Mathematical modeling

Statistical analysis

Neuroscience experience

English communication

Team player

Ausbildung

Master’s degree in computational neuroscience

Equivalent degree in related field

Jobbeschreibung

Faculty of Computer Science :

CRC 1844

Prof. Dr. Sen Cheng

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 Z02)

Are you curious about how the human brain stores and retrieves memories? You want bridge the gap between academia and the wider public? 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 actively seeking a talented PhD student to join our science communication project within the CRC 1844, which develops a digital serious game for citizen science, establishing a bidirectional bridge between episodic memory (EM) research and the general public. On the one hand, the game facilitates dissemination and intervention studies, with the public being involved in game design and extensions. On the one hand, the game allows for large-scale EM data collection from a diverse population. It also enables longitudinal research on EM, as well as prospective studies of EM changes preceding psychopathology.

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

Your tasks:

• The primary task will be the analysis of the behavioral data from gamified EM tasks, development of novel analyses, and interpretation of the results
• Help adapt laboratory experiments into a serious game setting in collaboration with the Cologne Game Lab
• Help validate the collected EM data in collaboration with experimental projects in the CRC 1844
• Assist the outreach coordinator associated with this project with player recruitment and outreach activities
• Correlate memory performance data from the game with demographic and psychological data in collaboration with the DZPG (German Center for Mental Health)
• Engage in interdisciplinary collaborations with experimental and computational neuroscientists, psychologists, and philosophers
• Present your results and findings in international conferences and scientific journals

Your profile:

• An excellent master’s degree, or equivalent, in computational neuroscience, physics, mathematics, computer science, or a related field
• Ability to work independently
• Competence in mathematical modeling and statistical analysis
• Excellent programming skills, e.g., Python
• Relevant research experience in neuroscience or a related field
• Excellent communication skills in English
• Team spirit
• Experience working within a collaborative research group (optional)

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)
• A qualified on-boarding and induction process

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

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 [e-mail].

Contact persons for further information:

Dr. Nicolas Diekmann [e-mail]

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

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.