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Faculty of Psychology :
Developmental Psychology
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 in Developmental Psychology (75% position, E13 TV-L salary scale) – Starting January 1, 2027
The Chair of Developmental Psychology at Ruhr-Universität Bochum invites applications for a position as a research associate (m/f/x) within a research project on the development of episodic memory in early childhood. The project will be conducted in close collaboration at two locations: Bochum and Dortmund. The successful candidate will contribute to the planning, execution, analysis, and publication of a longitudinal study involving children aged 3 to 5 years at the research site in Bochum. The project is embedded in a Collaborative Research Centre (CRC). The CRC “Episodic Memory” 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 member 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 childcare area (which includes, e.g., an outside play area, bedroom), parent child offices, common rooms to foster networking, etc. The position offers the opportunity for scientific qualification through a cumulative PhD. Employment is subject to final approval and funding by the third-party funding provider.
Scope: part-time
Duration: fixed-term, until 31.12.2030 (end of project)
Start: from 01.01.2027, pending funding approval
Apply by: 2026-10-26
Your tasks:
- Design, implementation, analysis, and publication of studies on the development of episodic memory in early childhood
- (Co-)supervision of student assistants and research students
- Proactive interdisciplinary collaboration and exchange within and beyond the CRC throughout the research process
- Presentation of study results at internal and external events and scientific conferences
- Active participation in CRC events
- Regular contribution to public relations and science communication
Your profile:
Required:
- A Master’s degree in Psychology or a closely related field
- A strong interest in developmental psychology research on memory and enthusiasm for scientific work
- A highly motivated team player who enjoys collaborating with researchers from various disciplines, particularly in the areas of modeling, philosophy, and neuroscience
- Proactive problem-solver in daily work
- Enjoyment of interacting with parents and children in a research context
- Fluent proficiency in German and English (written and spoken)
- Excellent methodological, programming, and statistical skills
Desired
- Practical experience working with infants and young children in a research context
- Prior experience in interdisciplinary research settings
We offer:
- A stimulating research environment
- Opportunities for collaboration with researchers from various disciplines
- Challenging and varied tasks with a high degree of autonomy
- Cooperative work in an engaged, international, and collegial team
- Opportunities for science communication
- The possibility for scientific qualification through a cumulative PhD
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 E 13 TVL 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.
Information on the developmental psychology lab can be found here: https://www.epsy.psy.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/epsy/index.html.en
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:
Prof. Dr. Sabine Seehagen , Tel.: +49 234 32 22672
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 2026-10-26. Please make sure to mention the reference number ANR 6187.
RUHR-UNIVERSITÄT BOCHUM
44801 Bochum
Universitätsstraße 150
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