Share page
Faculty of Medicine :
Neurostimulation
Computational Neurology
In order to fill a fixed-term position in part-time (29.87 hours/week = 75%) from 01.01.2027, pending funding approval, we are looking for 1
PhD position (f/m/d) in TMS-EEG of episodic memory
The Collaborative Research Center “Episodic Memory” (CRC 1844) is an interdisciplinary consortium consisting of researchers from psychology, computational neuroscience, philosophy and neuroscience. The basis for our research is the Scenario Construction Framework which conceptualizes scenarios as mental simulations of past episodes, constructed from episodic memory traces and semantic information. As a part of this team, you will be trained in interdisciplinary research and have access to a broad spectrum of initiatives to support you in your academic journey. The CRC will be housed at the new research building THINK in Bochum, which is not only equipped with cutting edge technology, but also houses a child care area (which includes, e.g., an outside play area, bedroom), parent child offices, common rooms to foster networking, etc. Within the CRC1844, the Computational Neurology group led by Prof. Dr. Xenia Kobeleva, investigates clinically relevant questions in neuropsychiatry and neurodegenerative diseases using advanced computational approaches, neuroimaging, and neurostimulation. The group is situated in the Institute for Neural Computation and is part of the Bernstein Node Bochum of the Science Hub Neuroscience. Our group works at the interface of clinical neuroscience (neurostimulation and neurodegenerative diseases) and computational neuroscience, with a strong focus on translational research that connects computational methods to real-world clinical data and patient-oriented questions. Our team is young, motivated, international, and genuinely interdisciplinary, bringing together expertise from medicine, neuroscience, psychology, and quantitative sciences. Besides a direct connection to clinical neurology, we are intensively collaborating with world-leading experts for mathematics, psychology, and computer science. The proposed PhD position will focus on the following project: Regions within the cortico-hippocampal network display interactions with the prefrontal cortex during episodic memory. To understand network effects, we will conduct an EEG memory task modulated by transcranial magnetic stimulation, studied by Bayesian modeling and EEG oscillatory analysis.
Scope: part-time
Duration: fixed-term, until 31.12.2030 (end of project)
Start: from 01.01.2027, pending funding approval
Apply by: 2026-10-19
Your tasks:
- Independently conduct fMRI and TMS-EEG experiments to better understand and modulate episodic memory
- Preprocess and analyze the resulting neuroimaging data (including oscillatory analysis)
- Presentation of research results at national and international conferences
- Publication of research results in scientific journals
Your profile:
- You are genuinely curious and interested in exploring how the brain works and what can be done to fix it in case of disorders. You can solve problems in a creative way and like to define research gaps by looking across applied and theoretical research. You have experience in interaction both with experimental and theoretical scientists and you have ability to work both independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team.
- We are looking for highly motivated candidates with a Master’s degree in medicine, neuroscience, cognitive science, psychology, biology, biomedical engineering, and related fields.
- Necessary prerequisites are prior practical experience in executing neuroscientific neuroimaging or neurostimulation experiments, preferably using TMS, fMRI, or EEG.
- It is a plus if you are experienced with neuroimaging analysis tools (e.g., MNE-Python, EEGLAB) and statistical tools (R, Stata or similar) or programming (ideally Python).
- We also expect strong analytical skills, ability for independent, creative and critical thinking, and excellent communication and writing skills in the English language. Also, German language skills are a plus but not a requirement.
We offer:
- Intensive training in both experimental neuroscience and computational neuroscience with advancement of your interdisciplinary skills, making you competitive on the academic and industrial job market.
- A structured PhD position in an interdisciplinary and international research group and collaborative research center, with close supervision, regular feedback, and individualized mentoring throughout the doctoral project. Your opinion and needs will be taken very seriously; hierarchies are very flat in our group.
- Formal integration into RUB’s university-wide doctoral support structures via the RUB Research School and International Graduate School for Neuroscience, including training in research methods, scientific writing, presentation skills, and career development.
- An inspiring research environment with strong clinical and interdisciplinary connections at the Institute for Neural Computation and Science Hub Neuroscience, fostering independent scientific thinking while providing continuous academic and career support, providing regular seminars with other members of the institute and a yearly retreat.
- Employment according to German public sector standards (TV-L), including social security benefits, paid leave, and a stable framework that enables focused, high-quality doctoral research.
- A family-friendly working environment that actively supports the reconciliation of academic work and family life, including flexible working arrangements and institutional support structures in line with RUB’s commitment to equal opportunity and diversity. We actively work against scientific misconduct by fostering an open environment and a focus on reproducible science. We are committed to providing a supportive work environment for female researchers and those with young children. Our university provides mentoring and coaching opportunities specifically aimed at women in research. We have a strong research network with female role models and will provide opportunities to meet with them. Wherever possible, events will be scheduled during regular childcare hours. Special childcare can be arranged, if events have to be scheduled outside of regular hours, in case of sickness and during school or daycare closures. Where childcare is not an option, parents will be offered a home office solution, as long as the experiments permit. We strongly encourage applications from qualified women and persons with disabilities.
Further information:
The position is salaried and based on the collective agreement of the Länder (TV-L). If the personal and collective agreement requirements are met, the employee will receive pay grade E13 TV-L.
Further information can be found at (in German).
The place of work is Ruhr University Bochum.
If the position is funded by third-party funds the employee has no teaching obligation.
Interested candidates are asked to send their applications including cover letter, CV with transcripts or degree certificates, a brief (max. 1/2-1 page) motivational statement of research interests and career perspectives, in a single PDF file.
RUB sees itself as a university with an international presence. The campus languages are German and English. Competence in at least one of the two languages and the willingness to learn the other are a prerequisite. RUB provides corresponding free courses for employees.
German language courses are offered by the University Language Center (ZFA) in the field of German as a Foreign Language (DaF). https://www.daf.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/daf/mitarbeitende/index.html.en
The Staff Council has the right to participate in all selection interviews. At the request of a candidate (m/f/x), it will ensure its participation in the entire procedure. Please contact wpr@rub.de.
The Ruhr-Universität Bochum is one of Germany’s leading research universities, addressing the whole range of academic disciplines. A highly dynamic setting enables researchers and students to work across the traditional boundaries of academic subjects and faculties. To create knowledge networks within and beyond the university is Ruhr-Universität Bochum’s declared aim.
The Ruhr-Universität Bochum stands for diversity and equal opportunities. For this reason, we favour a working environment composed of heterogeneous teams, and seek to promote the careers of individuals who are underrepresented in our respective professional areas. The Ruhr-Universität Bochum expressly requests job applications from women. In areas in which they are underrepresented they will be given preference in the case of equivalent qualifications with male candidates. Applications from individuals with disabilities are most welcome.
Contact persons for further information:
Sven Liebthal , Tel.: +49 234 32 26733
Travel costs, accommodation costs and loss of earnings or other application costs for job interviews can unfortunately not be reimbursed.
We look forward to receiving your application via our online application portal by 2026-10-19. Please make sure to mention the reference number ANR 6190.
RUHR-UNIVERSITÄT BOCHUM
44801 Bochum
Universitätsstraße 150
SOCIAL MEDIA