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Faculty of Psychology :
Chair of Social Cognition
In order to fill a fixed-term position in full-time (39.83 hours/week = 100%) October 1st, 2026, we are looking for 1
Postdoc (m,f,x) in ERC Project on Social/Cognitive Psychology (5 years)
The Social Cognition group (chair: Hans Alves), investigates the cognitive foundations of social psychological phenomena, including attitude formation, person perception, and stereotypes and prejudice. Other research foci include judgment and decision making, memory, perceptions of truth, and valence asymmetries. The group uses mostly experimental methods. The group members frequently collaborate and regularly participate in international conferences such as SPSP, SESP, EASP, and SPUDM, as well as research retreats.
This 5 year Postdoc (m/f/x) position is part of the ERC-funded project, "The Attribute-Frequency Model of Social Perception", which adresses biased perceptions of intergroup similarity, and social (in-)equality and the formation of biased attitudes towards social groups. Besides the ERC project work, you are also invited to develop new research ideas or continue some of your existing lines of research to further develop your profile as an early-career researcher. Teaching is optional.
Scope: full-time
Duration: fixed-term, 5 years
Start: October 1st, 2026
Apply by: 2026-06-01
Your tasks:
- Generate research ideas
- Design and carry out experiments
- Analyze data
- Write papers
- Present your findings at conferences
- Optional: teach seminars in social psychology and related fields
Your profile:
- PhD in Psychology or Economics
- Research experience in social psychology, cognitive psychology, or judgment and decision making
- Published research with an experimental focus
- Experience with data analysis in R, including multilevel models
- Interested in innovative research questions
- Team player, with a motivated and curious mind
We offer:
- A motivated and cooperation-oriented team
- Resources for study conduction and travels
- Possibility of partially working from home or remotely
- An international network of collaborators
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.
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/sbgk/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:
Hans Alves phone: +49 234 32 19543
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 2026-06-01. Please make sure to mention the reference number ANR 5642.
RUHR-UNIVERSITÄT BOCHUM
44801 Bochum
Universitätsstraße 150
SOCIAL MEDIA