304/2025 PhD student in Cognitive Neuroscience

Vacancy Notice 304/2024

Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg (OVGU) is an internationally oriented and regionally networked university with a strong research profile.

The Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Biological Psychology seeks to fill the following vacancy:

PhD Student (m/f/d) as part of the Collaborative Research Centre 1436 "Neural Resources of Cognition"

Salary scale:

13 TV-L

Date commencing:

next possible date

Fixed term (until):

Contract status:

65 %

We are a university with a focus on engineering and natural sciences as well as economics, human sciences and medicine. We offer excellent study and working conditions to 13,000 students from Germany and abroad as well as approx. 3,000 employees.

Job description:

The colloborating research groups of Prof. Dr. Toemme Noesselt, Prof. Dr. Janelle Pakan and Prof. Dr. Eike Budinger at

Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg

and Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology

are seeking a PhD Student (f/m/d) as part of the Collaborative Research Centre 1436 "Neural Resources of Cognition" (Project B06; see

for more information)

The project investigates how neural resources are allocated for temporal attention across the senses, using fMRI in humans and mice, two-photon calcium imaging in mice, and cognitive modelling in humans. You will work primarily on the human fMRI part and examine how different aspects of temporal attention facilitate motor responses and memory recall, and how learning dynamics during temporal processing may act as a cognitive reserve mechanism across ageing in humans. As part of the project, you will have the opportunity to build your own expertise in developing behavioral and fMRI study designs, analyzing data using cutting edge scientific methods (MVPA, RSA), and applying cognitive modelling techniques.

You will be part of our research team and based at the Department of Biological Psychology at Otto von Guericke University

). In addition you will also be participating in a vibrant multidisciplinary and international collaborative research center aiming to uncover neural resource mobilization from cells to humans with a wide range of techniques and ample network opportunities within the neuroscience community here in Magdeburg (see for details). Our integrated graduate program (IRTG

) will provide you with a structured program for your PhD, comprising workshops and professionalism courses that stimulate your personal and professional development

Requirements profile:

• Master Degree in psychology, neuroscience, engineering, or a related field
• Experiences with human fMRI and behavioral experiments are an advantage
• Programming skills in MATLAB, Phython and R are a plus
• High scientific motivation

For further information about the position, please contact Prof. Toemme Noesselt:

You will benefit from our structures and offerings in the fields of sustainability, diversity, family support and staff development. Our location in the center of a thriving, lively and family-friendly state capital guarantees a high quality of life and a wide range of leisure activities. For more information, please visit

Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg is a signatory of the German Diversity Charter. We welcome your application, regardless of gender, cultural and social background, age or sexual orientation. Applications from severely disabled people or people with an equivalent impairment will be given priority in the case of equal suitability, ability and professional expertise. Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg strongly promotes gender equality in all professional areas.

Please note the information for storage of personal data:

Please send your complete application (motivation letter, curriculum vitae, graduation certificates, references) by December 15, 2025 using the online application portal.

Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg

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