Open Position
The IRTG 2773, the International Research Training Group “Risks and Pathomechanisms of Affective Disorders” between the TU Dresden and King’s College London, offers a position as
PhD student (f/m/x)
The position (75%, E13 according to the Collective Agreement for the Public Service of the States (TV-L)) is available from October 01, 2024 and limited to three years.
The IRTG 2773 is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and is a structured international graduate programme established between the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden and the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology (IoPPN) King’s College London. It investigates risk factors and pathomechanisms of affective disorders to improve prevention, early detection and treatment.
Within the unique environment of the transcampus®, young scientists are trained in the field of translational research on affective disorders, have access to an outstanding scientific infrastructure and will work in an interdisciplinary and international environment.
The position is to be filled at the Neuroimaging Centre. The Neuroimaging Center is equipped with a research-only 3T Siemens MRI scanner, MRI-compatible EEG and eye tracking, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and transcranial direct current stimulation (TDCS) units. The Neuroimaging Centre also encompasses several rooms for computerized behavioural experiments outside the scanner. All experimental facilities are supported by experienced physics and IT staff.
The candidate will work in the project ‘Learning, motivation, and cognitive control as trans-diagnostic mechanisms in addiction and depression’, a collaboration between the Systems Neuroscience Lab (Prof. Michael Smolka) and the Chair of General Psychology (Prof. Thomas Goschke). The project aims to investigate the role of Pavlovian-to-instrumental-transfer (PIT) as a trans-diagnostic mechanism for mood and substance use disorders. One specific goal is to understand how sensitivity to the conflict between Pavlovian and instrumental control during PIT is related to interference control at the stimulus and the response level, as well as to response inhibition. These questions will be experimentally tested in behavioural and fMRI experiments. The position is ideal to work as a cognitive neuroscientist in an interdisciplinary group of researchers, and an excellent opportunity to work together with some of the leading addiction and mood disorder researchers in Germany.
Your tasks:
- Taking responsibility for the above project
- Preparing and conducting behavioural and imaging (fMRI) experiments
- Analysing fMRI data under supervision of experienced postdocs
- Attending regular meetings for cross-disciplinary exchange of research finding
- Actively taking part in the IRTG curriculum
Your profile:
- University degree (master or diploma) in psychology, cognitive neuroscience, computational neuroscience, or related disciplines
- Experience in conducting and analysing behavioural experiments
- Pre-existing experience in fMRI would be a plus
- Basic programming skills in MATLAB, R, or Python
- excellent written and spoken language skills in English (C1) and German (at least A2)
- Keen interest in experimental approaches to study complex human behaviour
We offer you:
- Working in a highly interdisciplinary team that will support you
- A well-structured curriculum comprising behavioural and developmental neuroscience, psychiatry, clinical and cognitive psychology and key competencies
- Close collaboration with and exchange at IoPPN, King’s College London
- Arranging for flexible working hours to find a balance between work and family life
Application of women is appreciated. Disabled persons with equal qualification will be preferred.
We kindly ask you to apply preferably via our online form to make the selection process faster and more effective. Of course, we also consider your written application without any disadvantages.
We are looking forward to receiving your comprehensive application (including a cover letter with a brief summary of research interests, full CV, two references, copy of degree certificate and transcript of grades and proof of proficiency in English (IELTS or equivalent)) in one PDF until August 25th, 2024 online with registration number PSY0924535. For further information, please contact: Mrs. Kerstin Schlese (kerstin.schlese@tu-dresden.de) or .
Please apply online here!