PhD position (f / m / d) in a cognitive neuroscience of bilingualism research project (w / m / d)

PhD position (f/m/d) in a cognitive neuroscience of bilingualism research project (w/m/d)

Operational area: Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics

Working hours: Part-Time 75% (currently 28.9 hours / week)

Duration / Term of employment: the position is limited for 4 years in accordance with the WissZeitVG (German Academic Fixed-Term Contract Act)

Start date: as soon as possible

Remuneration / Rates: EG 13 (TV-L)

Project

The project “Bilingual Flexibility : The Neurocognitive Basis of Language Control and Adaptation” (PI : Prof. Dr. Stefan Heim; Co-PI : Prof. Dr. Iring Koch, Dept. of Psychology) investigates the neurocognitive mechanisms of short-term, reactive, and medium-term, proactive, language control and adaptation processes. At the centre of the project, the neural basis of these behavioural effects of language control and adaptation is then investigated with functional and structural MRI data.

The position is embedded in the new DFG-funded Research Unit (RU) “Bilingual Flexibility — The Psychology of Language Control” at RWTH Aachen University and is hosted by the Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics (Prof. Dr. Stefan Heim; Chair : Prof. Dr. Thomas Frodl). The RU investigates how bilingual speakers adapt their language balance flexibly to task and social demands. Research in the RU combines cognitive-behavioural and neuroscientific methods (behavioural experiments, EEG, fMRI) and links mechanisms of language control, learning and social interaction. The RU brings together several principal investigators across RWTH and beyond, providing a highly collaborative environment with strong national and international networks and many opportunities for co‑authorship and career development.

Tasks

The tasks of the successful candidate include the planning and implementation of experimental behavioural and neuroimaging studies in adults, their analysis, and their international publication.

• Developping and programming behavioural and fMRI experiments with language stimuli from German and English
• Recruiting participants
• Collecting and analysing behavioural (reaction time; accuracy; verbal picture naming utterances) and MRI / fMRI data (including structural, functional, and effective conncetivity)
• Publishing the results in international journals with strict peer-review
• Collaborating with other doctoral and post‑doctoral researchers and professors in the DFG Research Unit

Your profile

Master’s degree in psychology, psycholinguistics, neurolinguistics, clinical linguistics / speech and language therapy, or cognitive (neuro)science, or and a very strong background in experimental psychology

Experience with experimental research and programming (e.g., Presentation, Python, PsychoPy, R).

Very good English written and spoken (Level C1)

Desirable

Practical experience with the acquisition and analysis of functional and structural MRI data is strongly recommended; candidates without prior (f)MRI experience but with relevant experimental and programming skills are encouraged to apply

Familiarity with data management and data repository workflows are advantageous

German not required at