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Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology :
Cognitive Neurobiology
In order to fill a fixed-term position in full-time (39.83 hours/week = 100%) at the earliest possible date, we are looking for 1
Postdoctoral researcher in statistical learning and predictive processing (intracranial EEG)
The lab seeks to understand the cortical basis and computational principles of perception and experience-dependent plasticity in the brain. To this end, we use a multimodal approach including fMRI-guided electrophysiological recordings in rodents and non-human primates, and fMRI and intracranial EEG (iEEG) in humans. See https://doi.org/10.64898/2025.11.30.691163, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-51543-y, and https://doi.org/10.64898/2025.12.17.694881 for recent examples of our work. The postdoc will play a key role in our research efforts in this area. The lab is located at Ruhr University Bochum (https://www.rub.de) and the German Primate Center in Göttingen (http://www.dpz.eu). At both locations, the lab is embedded in interdisciplinary research centers with international faculty and students pursuing cutting-edge research in cognitive and computational neuroscience. The main site for this part of the project will be Bochum. The project will be conducted in close collaboration with the lab of Lucia Melloni at Ruhr University Bochum. Intracranial EEG data will be acquired in collaboration with clinical partners in Bochum as well as at other collaborating clinical sites. Several relevant datasets already exist and will be available for analysis. Ruhr University Bochum provides a vibrant and stimulating neuroscience community with strong expertise in both computational and experimental neuroscience. Through THINK – Center for Theoretical and Integrative Neuroscience and Cognitive Science (THINK) at Ruhr University Bochum (https://www.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/think/index.html.en), the postdoc will have access to dedicated computing infrastructure, including high-performance computing clusters, as well as to a state-of-the-art imaging center providing facilities for 3T MRI, EEG, virtual reality, and behavioral experimentation.
The Department of Cognitive Neurobiology led by Caspar Schwiedrzik is seeking an outstanding postdoctoral researcher to study statistical learning and predictive processing in the human brain using intracranial EEG recordings from epilepsy patients. The project investigates how the brain learns regularities in the environment and uses them to generate predictions about future events, with a particular focus on hippocampal–cortical predictive processing. It uniquely combines human intracranial recordings with causal perturbation using intracortical microstimulation, allowing direct investigation of these mechanisms in the human brain. The successful candidate will design and implement experiments using intracranial EEG recordings and intracortical microstimulation in collaboration with clinical partners and analyze these data using advanced electrophysiological and statistical approaches.
Scope: full-time
Duration: fixed-term, 2 Jahre
Start: at the earliest possible date
Apply by: 2026-05-05
Your tasks:
- Design and implementation of experiments investigating statistical learning and predictive processing using intracranial EEG and intracortical microstimulation in human epilepsy patients
- Analysis of intracranial electrophysiological recordings using modern computational and statistical approaches
- Development of experimental paradigms for studying predictive processing and experience-dependent learning
- Visualization, interpretation, and presentation of results
- Preparation of manuscripts for peer-reviewed scientific journals
- Collaboration with clinical and basic neuroscience partners
- Development of independent research ideas and contribution to grant proposals
- Opportunities to supervise PhD and master’s students and contribute to mentoring within the research group
Your profile:
- PhD in neuroscience, psychology, cognitive science, biomedical engineering, or a related field
- Experience with electrophysiological data analysis (e.g., EEG, ECoG, or single-unit recordings) and statistics
- Strong programming skills (e.g., Python or MATLAB)
- Interest in statistical learning and/or predictive processing
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills
- Fluency in spoken and written English (a good command of English is a requirement, fluency in German is beneficial for communication with patients. The working language in the group is English)
We offer:
- Challenging and varied responsibilities with a high degree of autonomy
- Team-oriented collaboration within a dedicated, international, and supportive team
- A dynamic work environment
- An open and inclusive work atmosphere
- Fair and flexible working hours
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 should submit their curriculum vitae, a description of their scientific interests (with a particular focus on the topic of the project), a representative publication, and the names and contact information of two references who are able to comment on your academic background and who have agreed to be contacted.
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:
Prof. Dr. Caspar Schwiedrzik +49 234 32 15220; Caspar.Schwiedrzik@ruhr-uni-bochum.de
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 2026-05-05. Please make sure to mention the reference number ANR 5567.
RUHR-UNIVERSITÄT BOCHUM
44801 Bochum
Universitätsstraße 150
SOCIAL MEDIA