PhD position (f/m/d) in a cognitive neuroscience of bilingualism research project (w/m/d)
The Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics is looking for a
Operational area: Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics
Working hours: Part-Time 75% (currently 28,9 hours/week)
Duration/Term of employment: the position is limited for 4 years in accordance with the WissZeitVG (German Academic Fixed-Term Contract Act)
Start date: as soon as possible
Remuneration/Rates: EG 13 (TV-L)
Project:
The project “Bilingual Flexibility: The Neurocognitive Basis of Language Control and Adaptation” (PI: Prof. Dr. Stefan Heim; Co-PI: Prof. Dr. Iring Koch, Dept. of Psychology) investigates the neurocognitive mechanisms of short-term, reactive, and medium-term, proactive, language control and adaptation processes. At the centre of the project, the neural basis of these behavioural effects of language control and adaptation is then investigated with functional and structural MRI data.
The position is embedded in the new DFG-funded Research Unit (RU) “Bilingual Flexibility — The Psychology of Language Control” at RWTH Aachen University and is hosted by the Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics (Prof. Dr. Stefan Heim; Chair: Prof. Dr. Thomas Frodl). The RU investigates how bilingual speakers adapt their language balance flexibly to task and social demands. Research in the RU combines cognitive-behavioural and neuroscientific methods (behavioural experiments, EEG, fMRI) and links mechanisms of language control, learning and social interaction. The RU brings together several principal investigators across RWTH and beyond, providing a highly collaborative environment with strong national and international networks and many opportunities for co-authorship and career development.
Why choose us?
We offer…
- 30 days of vacation
- A bonus of 3,000 euros for employees who help recruit employees in the care sector
- An attractive company pension scheme from VBL
- Education opportunities, including updating and upgrading
- Access to public transport
- In-house kindergarten (places subject to availability)
- Staff residences (places subject to availability and by arrangement)
- An onboarding app for new employees
- Extended opening hours in the staff restaurant
Tasks:
The tasks of the successful candidate include the planning and implementation of experimental behavioural and neuroimaging studies in adults, their analysis, and their international publication.
- Developping and programming behavioural and fMRI experiments with language stimuli from German and English
- Recruiting participants
- Collecting and analysing behavioural (reaction time; accuracy; verbal picture naming utterances) and MRI/fMRI data (including structural, functional, and effective conncetivity)
- Publishing the results in international journals with strict peer-review
- Collaborating with other doctoral and post-doctoral researchers and professors in the DFG Research Unit
Your profile:
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Master’s degree in psychology, psycholinguistics, neurolinguistics, clinical linguistics/speech and language therapy, or cognitive (neuro)science, or and a very strong background in experimental psychology
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Experience with experimental research and programming (e.g., Presentation, Python, PsychoPy, R).
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Very good English written and spoken (Level C1)
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Desirable:
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Practical experience with the acquisition and analysis of functional and structural MRI data is strongly recommended; candidates without prior (f)MRI experience but with relevant experimental and programming skills are encouraged to apply
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Familiarity with data management and data repository workflows are advantageous
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German not required at application but candidates should be willing to acquire basic German within two years (training support available)
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- Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills
- Commitment to inclusive, cooperative research culture
Application:
The application deadline for the advertised position GB-P-53912 is 31.12.2025.
Contact:
University Hospital of the RWTH Aachen, Director of the department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Thomas Frodl, M.A., Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Prof. Dr. Stefan Heim
E-Mail: sheim@ukaachen.de
Phone: +49 (0)241 80 35889
We look forward to receiving your application!
This job advertisement is aimed at all genders.
The RWTH Aachen University Hospital promotes equal opportunity and diversity. Applications from women are expressly sought and, in accordance with relevant laws, will be treated preferentially.
We welcome applications from people with disabilities and they will be given priority if they are equally suitable.
Employment at a fraction less than the weekly full-time working hours stated above is generally possible.
It is preferable to use our digital application portal at www.karriere.ukaachen.de to apply. The portal allows you to upload your documents to an electronic application folder, which is protected from unauthorized access. Applications received by email are transferred to our application portal and then deleted in accordance with data protection regulations. (Transmission by email is usually inadequately protected.) If you do not agree to the transfer of your data to our portal, we unfortunately cannot consider your application. The data in the portal will be deleted after the retention period has expired.