Doctoral researcher in Biological, Clinical & Health Psychology

About us

The University of Luxembourg is an international research university with a distinctly multilingual and interdisciplinary character.

The Faculty of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences (FHSE) at the University of Luxembourg brings together expertise from the humanities, linguistics, cognitive sciences, social and educational sciences. People from across 20 disciplines are working within the Faculty. Along with the disciplinary approach a very ambitious interdisciplinary research culture has been developed. The faculty's research and teaching focuses on social, economic, political and educational issues with the common goal of contributing to an inclusive, open and resourceful society.

This PhD position will be located in the project "Deploying a Mobile Interoceptive Training to Reduce Somatic Symptom Distress" (DEPLOY), funded by the Fonds National de la Recherche Luxembourg (FNR). The objectives of the DEPLOY project are to investigate the mechanisms of interoception-based trainings to reduce somatic symptom distress and to translate these trainings to a mobile application. The PhD candidate will join the Research Group "Brain-Body-Interaction" and the Clinical Psychophysiology Laboratory (Head: Prof. Dr. André Schulz) within the Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences. Enrolment in the Doctoral School of Social Sciences is obligatory for the candidate. The DEPLOY project is hosted by an interdisciplinary research team consisting of André Schulz (PI) and Philip Santangelo (both Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences), Inès Chihi (Department of Engineering) and Jochen Klucken (Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine).

Your role

• Recruitment, and clinically-psychological and psychophysiological assessment of participants from the general public and patients with somatic symptom disorders in five independent studies, in collaboration with a postdoctoral researcher, three in the laboratory, two in ambulatory setting using a mobile application
• Assessment and analysis of psychophysiological, e.g., ECG, photoplethysmography, behavioural, e.g., interoception, and self-report data, e.g., interoception, somatic symptoms, mental health, from different sources
• Co-development of a mobile application, in collaboration with a postdoctoral researcher, the senior PIs and external service providers, to assess and to train interoception
• Writing a doctoral thesis in Biological, Clinical and Health Psychology based on original manuscripts published in high quality, peer-reviewed journals

Your profile

The candidate should have experience in or at least be interested in several of the following areas:

• Stress, interoception and mental disorders with somatic symptoms medically-unexplained symptoms/somatic symptom disorder
• Psychological assessment using structured clinical interviews
• Psychophysiological methods - ECG, photoplethysmography
• Ambulatory assessment of psychological and psychophysiological data
• Digital/mobile health technology
• Theories, models and current international research in Biological, Clinical and Health Psychology, and their overlapping concepts

Language Requirements:

Applicants must demonstrate at least B2-level proficiency in the language of their thesis. For details and accepted certificates, please visit the Application for admission - Doctoral Candidates.

We offer

• A modern, dynamic university with a personal and inclusive atmosphere. Multilingual and international character. Staff coming from more than 90 countries. Member of The Guild of European Research Intensive Universities
• An exceptional research environment, supported by skilled staff and high-quality equipment. Strong links to professional sectors and the Luxembourg labour market. A unique urban campus with excellent infrastructure
• A partner for society and industry. Cooperation with European institutions, innovative companies, the Financial Centre and a wide range of non-academic partners including ministries, local governments, associations, and NGOs

How to apply

Applications should include:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover letter presenting your motivation for this doctoral thesis topic, and explaining how your qualifications and aspirations align with its academic focus
• Transcript of all modules and results from university-level courses taken

Early application is highly encouraged, as the applications will be processed upon reception. Please apply ONLINE formally through the HR system. Applications by Email will not be considered.

All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. In line with our values, the University of Luxembourg promotes an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and are dedicated to upholding equality and respect for our employees and students.

General information:

• Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract 36 Month
• Work Hours: Full Time 40.0 Hours per Week
• Location: Belval Campus
• Internal Title: Doctoral Researcher
• Job Reference: UOL08186

The yearly gross salary for every Doctoral researcher at the UL is EUR 43445 (full time).