PhD (65%) or Post Doctoral Position (100%) in Cognitive Science at Frankfurt University

Johann Wolfgang Goethe University Frankfurt am Main is one of the largest universities in Germany with around 44,000 students and with about 5,700 employees. Founded in 1914 by Frankfurt citizens and since 2008 once again proud of its foundation status Goethe University possesses a high degree of autonomy, modernity and professional diversity. As a comprehensive university, the Goethe University offers a total of 16 departments on five campuses and 154 degree programs along with an outstanding research reputation. Furthermore, the Goethe University is part of the Group of Rhine-Main-Universities (RMU).

The Department of Psychology and Sports Science at the Goethe University invites applications for the position of a research assistant in the working group General Psychology II (Learning & Memory, Emotion & Motivation) starting 01.10.2025 for a

Research Assistant(m/f/d)

(doctoral candidate or post-doctoral position)

(E 13 TV-G-U, 65% part-time/full-time)

initially for a limited period of three years. Employment as a doctoral candidate is with a regular weekly working time of 65%; the post-doctoral position is to be filled full-time. The salary grade is based on the job characteristics of the collective agreement applicable to Goethe University (TV-G-U).

The future post holder should conduct research on decision-making under ambiguity, conflict or uncertainty, e.g. in the context of social dilemmas. She*he should provide teaching services in the field of Cognitive Psychology II (Motivation & Emotion, Learning & Memory) and gain further academic qualifications.

The tasks are:

• Collaboration in experimental research at the level of the candidate's qualification
• Joint publication of the results in international, peer-reviewed journals
• Teaching to the extent of 4 LVS (post-doctoral candidate) or 65 % proportional (doctoral candidate)
• Collaboration in self-administration and examination supervision

Recruitment requirements are

• very good academic degree (Master's/Diploma) in Psychology or a related subject
• programming skills for the preparation of experiments (Python, PsychoPy) and analysis of empirical data (R)
• excellent written and spoken English skills
• Knowledge of recent statistical analyses (e.g. linear mixed effect models, Bayesian modeling, etc.) and analyses of behavioral data, e.g. with signal detection theory, drift diffusion models or multinomial modeling
• routine application of Open Science practices
• high analytical thinking and excellent presentation skills
• interdisciplinary research enthusiasm.

Additional requirements for employment as a post-doctoral researcher are

• Completed PhD in the field of cognitive/social psychology/neuroscience
• Research excellence, demonstrated by high-ranking publications
• Leadership skills to supervise students and doctoral candidates
• Willingness to participate in the acquisition of third-party funding

Theoretical and/or technical experience in the field of social neuroscience and/or behavioral economics is an advantage, but not a requirement.

We offer supportive supervision and productive discussions in a small but highly reflective and broadly interested research and teaching team, supported by student assistants. We are open to a wide range of research approaches, including neuroscientific and behavioral methods (e.g. economic games), qualitative methods (e.g. narrative interviews), online studies and questionnaire development. We encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and participation in international conferences.

The Goethe University is committed to a policy of providing equal employment opportunities for both men and women alike, and therefore encourages particularly women to apply for the position/s offered. Individuals with severe disability will be prioritized in case of equal aptitude and ability.

Please send your application with the usual documents (letter of motivation, CV, certificates, teaching experience and publication list if applicable), ) and a Research Statement about your primary research interests, preferably by e-mail, to Prof. Dr. Sabine Windmann, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Institute of Psychology, Theodor-W.-Adorno-Platz 6, 60323 Frankfurt/Main, Germany, by 12.07.2025; e-mail: s.windmann@psych.uni-frankfurt.de. Please do not send original documents, as these cannot be returned. Costs incurred during the application process will not be reimbursed by Goethe University.