[Hiring] PhD researcher @Forschungsgesellschaft für Arbeitsphysiologie u. Arbeitss chutz e. V.

Role Description

For a project in the research group “Neuroimaging and Interindividual Differences” (Department of Psychology and Neuroscience) we are seeking from early 2027 a PhD researcher (m, w, d) (65 %). The position is initially limited to a period of 4 years.

Project: Layers of imagination: Layer‐specific pathways for constructing mnemonic and fictitious experiences. Subject to the funding agency’s approval, we are seeking a doctoral-level researcher for an exciting project on imagination, autobiographical memory, and the construction of internal scenes in the human medial temporal lobe (MTL).

• Investigate the extent to which the laminar microstructure of the medial temporal lobe (MTL) is related to interindividual differences in imagination, memory performance, and functional MTL activity.
• Use ultra-high-resolution 7T imaging to characterize laminar microstructure and connectivity in the hippocampus and adjacent cortical areas.
• Collaborate closely with Prof. Dr. Cornelia McCormick (Universitätsklinikum Bonn).
• Conduct data collection at the 7 Tesla research infrastructure in Bonn.

Your tasks:

• Contribute to the planning, conduct, and analysis of multimodal 7T MRI studies.
• Analyze laminar microstructure and connectivity in the medial temporal lobe.
• Integrate qMRI, diffusion, and functional imaging data.
• Develop and apply suitable analysis strategies for laminar data.
• Contribute to publications, presentations, and scientific reporting.
• Work in close collaboration with the project team in Dortmund and Bonn.

Qualifications

• A master´s degree in neuroscience, psychology, biology, physics, engineering, computer science, or a comparable field.
• Proven experience in the conduct and analysis of structural and functional MRI data.
• Experience with high-resolution 7T imaging, diffusion imaging, qMRI, or laminar analysis would be desirable.
• Programming skills, preferably in Python, Matlab, or comparable environments, would be an advantage.
• A high level of independence, team spirit, scientific diligence, and enthusiasm for methodologically demanding research.

Benefits

• This is a part-time position with currently 25.89 working hours per week.
• Remuneration according to TV-L E 13, EUR 3.093,59 to EUR 4.397,05 per month, depending on personal qualifications.
• All benefits associated with public service employment, e.g. an annual bonus and the payment of capital-forming benefits.
• Flexible working hours to facilitate the reconciliation of family and career.
• Support for professional development.
• Integration into an international and interdisciplinary research environment.

Company Description

The Forschungsgesellschaft für Arbeitsphysiologie und Arbeitsschutz e.V. is an institutionally funded research organization supported by the German Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.

It is the sponsoring institution of the Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors in Dortmund (IfADo), which investigates the risks and potentials of modern work using interdisciplinary approaches, combining the disciplines of ergonomics, immunology, toxicology, psychology, and neuroscience.