SCIENCE-JOBS-DE

PhD position in cognitive neuroscience

Subjects: Biology Medicine Psychology

Theme: Thesis: PhD position in cognitive neuroscience

Contact: Prof. Bianca Wittmann

Reply to: bianca.wittmann @ psychol.uni-giessen.de

Institution: Institute of Psychology and Sports Sciences

Location: D-35394 Giessen, Otto-Behaghel-Str. 10

The Biological Psychology group at the Department of Psychology and Sports Science invites applications for a PhD position in cognitive neuroscience. The position is available from 1st April 2014 (starting date is flexible) through December 2017 and is funded by the project grant “The interaction of visual and motivational salience in natural-scene perception” as part of the Collaborative Research Centre SFB/TRR 135 under the umbrella theme “Cardinal mechanisms of perception: Prediction, valuation, categorization”. In agreement with current regulations, the position is on the TV-H E13 scale (65%) for public employees.

The project will investigate the influence of visual object properties on motivational learning and decision-making using fMRI. The department offers a research-dedicated 3T MRI scanner with eye-tracking and peripheral physiology equipment. The successful candidate will be responsible for collecting and analyzing fMRI data using computational models of learning and decision-making and for writing scientific papers. We encourage research visits in collaborating research groups abroad (NYU, Computational Neuroscience of Learning and Decision Making, PI: Nathaniel Daw).

We are looking for highly motivated candidates with a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in neuroscience, psychology, biology or a related field and with a strong interest in cognitive neuroscience and the ability to work independently. Excellent programming skills and proficiency in English are essential; prior experience in computational neuroscience and experience with fMRI are of advantage.

The Justus Liebig University, Giessen seeks to support women in scientific research. Therefore we strongly encourage women to apply for the available position. As a family friendly institution of higher education, the Justus Liebig University, Giessen, welcomes applicants with children.

Please send your application (CV, transcripts or degree certificates, a brief statement of research interests and contact details of two referees) by 28 February 2014 to Prof. Dr. Bianca Wittmann, Department of Psychology, Otto-Behaghel-Str. 10F, 35394 Giessen, stating the application number 148/00198/06. Please send a copy by e-mail to bianca.wittmann@psychol.uni-giessen.de as a single pdf file. Preference will be given to disabled applicants with equal qualifications.

For further details, please contact Bianca Wittmann:
Phone +49-641-9926 160, E-mail bianca.wittmann@psychol.uni-giessen.de

Start Date: 1 April 2014

Estimated Duration: 3 years 9 months

Payment: 65% TV-H E13