PhD positions in cognitive neuroscience of human verbal communication

The Oganian Lab at the Werner Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience (CIN) in Tübingen invites applications for fully funded PhD positions (65 % TVL-13), with a flexible starting date in November 2021 or later.

The CIN is an interdisciplinary research institution at the Eberhard-Karls-University Tübingen funded by the German Excellence Initiative program. The CIN strives to deepen our understanding of brain function and its impairment by disease. It seeks to make use of newly acquired insights to help people with brain disorders and to launch new mind- and brain-inspired applications in many areas of engineering and computer science.

Research topics in our group include auditory cognition, speech perception, and bilingual communication. We are interested in understanding the contributions of general sensory networks and language-specific networks to these cognitive functions. To study these topics, we use intracranial electrophysiology recordings in clinical settings (iEEG/ECoG), scalp electrophysiology (EEG and MEG), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and psychophysics, as well as advanced computational methods to map those signals onto cognitive processes. Lab members will have the opportunity to train in all these methods, including research design, data acquisition and analysis. Successful candidates will join a vibrant neuroscientific research community. They will have the opportunity to participate in existing local and international collaborations and to develop new ones. They can also join one of the local graduate schools (Graduate School of Neural & Behavioural Sciences or Graduate School of Neural Information Processing).

• Candidates should have a background in cognitive science, psychology, neuroscience, psycholinguistics, neuroengineering or a related discipline (and hold an MA/MSc in their field by the time the position commences).
• Prior experience with scientific coding (MATLAB, python, or R) and experience with electrophysiology are advantageous but not a prerequisite.
• We seek highly motivated candidates that are passionate about science and human cognition, aim to develop their theoretical thinking as well as their data analytic abilities, and strive to conduct rigorous research.
• We are looking to build a diverse and inclusive research team and are supportive of members’ personal and professional development.

We offer remuneration in accordance with TV-UK (Collective Agreement of the University Clinics of Baden-Württemberg) in addition to all the customary benefits granted to employees working in Public Services. Severely handicapped persons with equal qualifications are given preferential consideration. The University of Tübingen is anxious to increase its quota of female scientific staff, and therefore encourages women to apply for this position. The Administration of the University Hospital is responsible for all employment matters. Personnel appointments will be made pursuant to the fundamental stipulations of the legal statutes for universities in Germany. Before taking up employment, proof of sufficient vaccination against measles or immunity against measles in accordance with § 23a in conjunction with § 20 Para. 9 of the Infection Protection Act must be provided (scope of application birth cohorts as of 01.01.1971).

Interview expenses are not covered. Positions are funded for 3 years with the possibility of extension.

For informal inquiries about the positions, as well as regarding opportunities at M.A. and postdoctoral levels, please contact Dr. Yulia Oganian at OganianLab@posteo.de.

Applications (including a CV, a brief statement of research interests, and a cover letter outlining the motivation to join the lab) should be sent to OganianLab@posteo.de.

Applications will be considered until positions are filled.

Please click here to apply.