Job Description

Position: PhD position

Deadline: 28.02.2026 (earlier applications will be preferred)

Employment Start Date: To be discussed (not before May 2026)

Contract Length: 36 months

Description:

Your responsibilities

We invite applications for two PhD projects on network neural mass modeling in neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer’s Disease) and in healthy participants.

Position 1: The PhD candidate will preprocess large-scale neuroimaging data in patients with neurodegenerative diseases and apply network neural mass models to the resulting neuroimaging data, create advanced statistical models linking neuropsychology and neuroimaging data, and apply control theory to the resulting models. The goal here is to create realistic neural mass models to simulate treatment effects.

Position 2: The PhD candidate will preprocess large-scale neuroimaging data of healthy participants and apply network neural mass models to the resulting neuroimaging data. The goal of the project here is to enhance parameter inference through Bayesian inference and deep neural networks.

PhD candidates will be enrolled either as PhD candidates at the Computer Science Faculty or the International Graduate School for Neuroscience.

Your profile

• You are genuinely curious and interested in exploring how the brain works and what can be done to fix it in case of disorders. You can solve problems in a creative way and like to define research gaps by looking across applied and theoretical research. You have experience in interaction both with experimental and theoretical scientists.
• We are looking for highly motivated candidates with a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in either 1) mathematics, physics, computer sciences, computational neurosciences and related fields and proof of previous experience in applied biomedical research, or 2) medicine, neuroscience, psychology, biology, with additional proof of a strong programming background (esp. Python) or knowledge about dynamical systems, thus candidates with interdisciplinary experience are highly encouraged to apply.
• Necessary prerequisites are prior experience in programming with Python, demonstrable interest in quantitative research (e.g., statistics or machine learning), strong analytical skills, ability for independent, creative and critical thinking, and excellent communication and writing skills in the English language. Prior experience with neuroimaging, neural networks, or computational neuroscience (esp. nonlinear dynamics) is advantageous. Also, German language skills are a plus but not a requirement.

We offer

• Intensive training in both computational neuroscience and clinical research and advancement of your interdisciplinary skills, making you competitive on the academic and industrial job market.
• A structured PhD position in an interdisciplinary and international research group, with close supervision, regular feedback, and individualized mentoring throughout the doctoral project. Your opinion and needs will be taken very seriously, hierarchies are very flat in our group.
• Formal integration into RUB’s university-wide doctoral support structures via the RUB Research School and International Graduate School for Neuroscience, including training in research methods, scientific writing, presentation skills, and career development.
• An inspiring research environment with strong clinical and interdisciplinary connections at the Institute for Neural Computation and Science Hub Neuroscience, fostering independent scientific thinking while providing continuous academic and career support, providing regular seminars with other members of the institute and a yearly retreat.
• Employment according to German public sector standards (TV-L), including social security benefits, paid leave, and a stable framework that enables focused, high-quality doctoral research.
• A family-friendly working environment that actively supports the reconciliation of academic work and family life, including flexible working arrangements and institutional support structures in line with RUB’s commitment to equal opportunity and diversity. We actively work against scientific misconduct by fostering an open environment and a focus on reproducible science.

Application

Interested candidates are asked to send their applications including cover letter, CV with transcripts or degree certificates, a brief (max. 1/2-1 page) motivational statement of research interests and career perspectives (“Why do you want to do a PhD with us? What are your strengths vs. skills you would like to further develop during the PhD project?”), followed by a brief (½ page) research statement (“What would you like to do research on, if you could develop your own topic?”), as well as contact details of one or two referees (ideally your former project supervisor) in a single PDF file to Prof. Dr. Xenia Kobeleva (xenia.kobeleva@rub.de). If you have not published a research paper yet, we would appreciate if you could send us your master thesis as a PDF for evaluation of scientific skills. Incomplete application materials will be considered at a lower priority. Deadline for all applications is 28.02.2025 (earlier applications are strongly encouraged). Further questions can be addressed to Prof. Dr. Xenia Kobeleva.

Ruhr University Bochum is committed to equal opportunity in employment and gender equality in its working environment. To increase gender distribution in all job categories and at all levels, we strongly encourage applications from qualified women. Female applicants will be given preferential consideration when their level of qualification, competence and professional achievements equals that of male candidates, unless arguments based on the personal background of a male co-applicant prevail. Applications from appropriately qualified handicapped persons are also encouraged.