PhD student (m/f/d)
Leibniz-Institut für Resilienzforschung (LIR), Mainz
The Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research (LIR) gGmbH is a non-university research institute with the aim of researching the phenomenon of resilience, i.e., the maintenance or rapid recovery of mental health during or after acute or chronic stressful life circumstances. It investigates the mechanisms that mediate resilience, develops interventions that promote resilience and implements effective interventions in healthcare in companies, schools and universities.
The Research Group of Prof. Dr. Raffael Kalisch is looking for a
PhD student (m/f/d)
65 % job scope, limited to 3 years. A possible extension is being sought.
Your tasks include:
- Acquisition of data for a combined electroencephalography–functional magnetic resonance imaging (EEG-fMRI) study investigating the effect of autonomic arousal on the long-term success of fear extinction.
- Analysis of multimodal datasets (EEG, fMRI, ECG, EDA, stress hormones)
- Publication of results
- Participation in collaborative activities of the research group
Your profile:
- Completed scientific university studies in psychology, biology or related disciplines (diploma/master's degree)
- Great interest in the topic of fear extinction, neuroimaging and resilience research
- Willingness and openness to interdisciplinary collaboration with areas of neuroscience and clinical psychology in the scientific project and with other scientists in the research group
- Experience in acquiring EEG, fMRI, or other physiological data
- Basic programming skills in Matlab and/or Python
- Experience in statistical analysis and data management. Knowledge of the statistical software R is desirable.
- Scientific writing skills
- Very good written and spoken English
- Ability to work independently and autonomously
- High level of communication skills, strong team spirit, flexibility, precise, systematic and proactive working style
We offer:
- a challenging, highly dynamic and science-driven working environment with flat hierarchies, responsibility and a great deal of creative freedom
- flexible working hours
- a wide range of training and development opportunities
- an employer-financed pension scheme for non-civil servants in the public sector (VBL)
The fixed-term appointment is governed by the provisions of the German Act on Fixed-Term Employment Contracts in Academia (WissZeitVG). Remuneration is based on pay grade 13 of TV-UM (the framework collective agreement of the University Medical Center Mainz).
The project is funded via a DFG research grant to Drs. Benjamin Meyer and Raffael Kalisch. Either will be happy to answer any technical questions you may have by e-mail (benjamin.meyer(at)lir-mainz.de; raffael.kalisch(at)lir-mainz.de).
Have we appealed to you? Then please send us your detailed application by e-mail only, as a single PDF file, including a letter of motivation, a CV, relevant certificates, the names and contact details of two to three referees, and your earliest possible starting date, to recruiting(at)lir-mainz.de by December 13, 2026. Please enter the reference number LIR_141 in the subject line.
Women are given preferential consideration for recruitment in the case of equivalent suitability, qualifications and professional performance, insofar and as long as there is an under-representation. This does not apply if there are such serious reasons in the person of an applicant that they outweigh the requirement for equal opportunities for women. Severely disabled applicants with equal qualifications will be given preference (proof required).
www.lir-mainz.de