About this role
In order to fill a fixed-term position in part-time (29.87 hours/week = 75%) as of January 1st, 2027 (flexible), we are looking for one Research associate (m/f/x) for the FOR 6027 "Layers of Memory", Subproject P4 "Reference frames in spatial navigation and the impact of cerebellar projections on layer-specific entorhinal processing" 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 major aims of our subproject within the consortium are twofold: (1) to disentangle the laminar activity profiles of the entorhinal cortex using two complementary spatial navigation tasks that preferentially engage allocentric and egocentric reference frames, respectively; and (2) to investigate the impact of cerebellar pathology on spatial navigation and laminar activity of the entorhinal cortex by testing patients with cerebellar degeneration. To achieve these aims, PI Nikolai Axmacher, an expert in spatial navigation, and PI Dagmar Timmann, an expert in cerebellar research, have joined forces, supported by specialists in laminar-resolution magnetic resonance imaging methods within the Research Unit and in close collaboration with Laure Rondi-Reig (Sorbonne Université, Paris, France). All experiments will be conducted in human participants using the 7T MRI scanner at the Erwin L. Hahn Institute for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (ELH) in Essen, Germany. 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 - Acqusition 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 - Enjoy working as part of an interdisciplinary team of researchers https://jobs.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/jobposting/e954b2769e59a47360ca125ab96f85714897584f0?ref=AfA ( https://jobs.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/jobposting/e954b2769e59a47360ca125ab96f85714897584f0?ref=AfA ) Ergänzende Informationen: Anforderungen an den Bewerber: Erweiterte Kenntnisse: Statistik, Programmieren