Seven Doctoral Research Positions in a Multidisciplinary Research Training Group on Self-Regula[...]

Doctoral Research Position (m/f/x)

Reference number W2843

Salary in accordance with the German TV-L salary scale (TV-L = collective agreement on remuneration of public sector employees in the German Länder), pay grade: E13 TV-L, duration of employment: 4 years, volume of employment: 75 % of standard working time.

Position commences on 01 October 2026.

Workplace / Department

The Research Training Group 2988 “Flexibility and Balance as Characteristics of Adaptive Self-Regulation” (RTG 2988) is located in the Departments of Psychology and Educational Sciences in the Faculty of the Empirical Humanities and Economics. The RTG investigates the roles of flexibility and balance in self-regulatory behavior and well‑being. It includes 11 distinct research projects. PhD students are integrated into the workgroup of their primary supervisor and participate in RTG meetings and events.

Research Projects and Primary Supervisors

• F1. Self-regulatory flexibility between daily dynamics and personality characteristics (Malte Friese)
• F2. A longitudinal perspective on self‑regulated learning: Do students adjust self‑regulated learning strategies flexibly over one school year? (Laura Dörrenbächer‑Ulrich & Franziska Perels)
• F5. The impact of childhood maltreatment and neglect of infants on the ability to cope flexibly with new traumatic experiences (Anselm Crombach)
• F6. Flexible self‑regulation in the context of real‑life goals: Do you get what you really want? (Frank Spinath)
• B2. Using breaks to balance goals at work (Cornelius König)
• B3. Exploring (im)balances between reward‑ and control‑related brain activity: An EEG/ERP‑based brain‑as‑predictor approach (Axel Mecklinger)
• B5. Balance in attentional processes on competing goals – The role of working memory (Dirk Wentura)

Job Requirements and Responsibilities

Your job will be to carry out research with international impact in the research fields of the RTG. You will develop your doctoral project in cooperation with your supervisors within the research program of the RTG. The position is designed to enable you to obtain a PhD within four years or faster.

Applicants must either live within commuting distance of the Saarbrücken campus or be willing to move to the area. Remote working is allowed, but regular on‑site presence is essential.

Your Academic Qualifications

• Completed university studies in psychology or a related discipline (a completed Master’s degree).
• Language skills (according to GER): English C1.

Candidate Expectations

• Enthusiasm for psychological research and interest in at least one research focus of the RTG.
• Very good methodological skills.
• Joy in working reliably, independently and with commitment.
• Interest in developing and implementing research ideas in a team.
• Willingsness to implement criteria of open and transparent research in their own research (e.g. preregistrations, open materials, code and data).
• Language skills (according to GER): Only for project F5: French – B2.

Benefits

• A flexible work schedule allowing you to balance work and family, including teleworking.
• Secure and future‑oriented employment with attractive conditions.
• A broad range of further education and professional development programmes (for example language courses).
• An occupational health management model with numerous attractive options, such as our university sports programme.
• Supplementary pension scheme (RZVK).
• Discounted tickets on local public transport services (‘Job‑Ticket’ of the saarVV).
• Job bike leasing (JobRad).

Equal Opportunity and Disability Considerations

We welcome applications regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion/belief, disability, age, and sexual orientation and identity. In accordance with its policy of increasing the proportion of women, the University actively encourages applications from women. Applications from severely disabled persons will be given preferential consideration in the event of equal suitability.

Additional Information

Pay grade classification is based on the particular details of the position held and the extent to which the applicant meets the requirements of the pay grade within the TV-L salary scale. Part‑time employment is generally possible.