About this role
In order to fill a fixed-term position in part-time (25.89 hours/week = 65%) as of January 1st, 2027 (flexible), we are looking for one Research associate (m/f/x) for the FOR 6027 "Layers of Memory", Subproject P6 "The laminar basis of hippocampal hyperactivity in Alzheimer's disease" The Department of Neuropsychology investigates the neural basis of learning, memory, and spatial navigation in humans. We combine state-of-the-art methods of cognitive neuroscience (fMRI at 3T and 7T, intracranial EEG, human single cell recordings) with approaches from AI. A particular focus is the analysis of event-specific memory traces using multivariate analysis methods (e.g., representational similarity analysis and deep neural network models). Our long-term vision is to identify the neural traces of memories for specific events, their transformation during learning and memory consolidation, and their impairment in neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases. More information on our group can be found here: http://www.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/neuropsy/indexE.htm A PhD position is available in the Department of Neuropsychology (head: Prof. Dr. Nikolai Axmacher) at the Faculty of Psychology, starting 01.01.2027 or when position is filled. This position is part of the Research Unit “Layers of Memory” (FOR 6027). The overarching aim of the Research Unit is to unravel the mesoscale organization of the human medial temporal lobe using laminar 7T MRI in order to obtain a more mechanistic understanding of the neural processes underlying human memory and spatial navigation. The Research Unit comprises eight projects across eight sites in Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands, bringing together complementary expertise from cognitive and clinical neuroscience and MR physics. The specific subproject of the open position will be jointly led by PIs Anne Maass (Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg) and Nikolai Axmacher (Ruhr University Bochum). In We will investigate the laminar basis of medial temporal lobe (MTL) hyperactivity in aging and early Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We will measure 7T ultra-high resolution functional and structural network connectivity and activity in young and plasma-biomarker characterized older adults across the AD spectrum. More specifically, layer-specific fMRI activity will be investigated in amyloid-positive MCI patients during spatial learning as compared to cognitively normal older adults with or without amyloid biomarkers and young adults. We will thus assess the relationship between impaired neural signatures of spatial navigation in entorhinal cortex and hippocampus, pattern separation deficits in CA3 and CA1, and AD-related hyperactivity. We are looking for an enthusiastic researcher with a Master's degree in psychology, cognitive science, or a related field and strong programming and statistical skills to carry out the proposed project. Scope: part-time Duration: fixed-term, 4 Years Start: as of January 1st, 2027 (flexible) Apply by: 2026-10-19 Your tasks: - Development of experimental paradigms - Acquisition of MRI data - Analysis and publication of MRI data - Close collaboration with PIs and ECRs from other subprojects Your profile: - Master's degree in psychology, cognitive science or a related field - Strong programming and statistical skills - Prior experience with fMRI is an advantage - Working independently, in a structured manner, and with a focus on results - Joint supervision by two PIs in Magdeburg and Bochum - Enjoy working as part of an interdisciplinary team of researchers https://jobs.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/jobposting/ee156f8b2302ae35edb01a1d7c3c96f818f4bcee0?ref=AfA ( https://jobs.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/jobposting/ee156f8b2302ae35edb01a1d7c3c96f818f4bcee0?ref=AfA ) Ergänzende Informationen: Anforderungen an den Bewerber: Erweiterte Kenntnisse: Statistik, Programmieren