PhD Position in Theoretical and Computational Neuroscience

University of Göttingen

At the University of Göttingen -Public Law Foundation-, Graduiertenkolleg 2906 Neugier, there is a position as

PhD position in Theoretical and Computational Neuroscience [B1]
Entgeltgruppe 13 TV-L/65%

to be filled. Starting date is 8/1/2026. The position is limited to 7/31/2029.

As part of a research network that has been established at the University of Göttingen in 2024 - Research Training Group (RTG) 2906 Curiosity- we advertise here a PhD position for an initial period of three years, with a very strong possibility of extension for a further year. The project is expected to commence on August 1st, 2026.

Across eleven projects, scientists in the second cohort of the RTG 2906 will investigate the neuropsychological, biological, and computational underpinnings of curiosity. The network comprises a highly interdisciplinary consortium of psychologists, biologists as well as systems and computational neuroscientists who will work together to answer three broad research questions: (A) When are we curious? (B) Why are we curious? and (C) How are we curious? The PhD project advertised here will investigate how curiosity impacts the information sampling processes humans use to enrich and extend their internal models of the world. The PhD researcher will use EEG/MEG data and information-theoretic approaches, to establish how curiosity influences what information we select, and how we subsequently integrate it into our internal models. One potential additional focus of the project could be to explore inter-individual differences in the types of information-sampling strategies people employ.

Your profile:

• An excellent M.Sc. degree (or equivalent) in Physics, Psychology, Neuroscience or a related field
• Experience conducting experimental studies with human participants is a plus
• Advanced statistical and analytical abilities (experience with R/Python/Julia/MATLAB or a similar programming language is a plus)
• Excellent command of the English language (Level C1); German language skills are desirable
• Excellent critical thinking and communication skills

What we offer:

• A highly interdisciplinary and collaborative, team-oriented research environment
• Close supervision by an interdisciplinary Thesis Advisory Committee
• Enrolment in a training programme comprising compulsory and elective courses suited to individual needs and careers goals, as well as regular retreats and summer schools
• Ample funding for conferences and external laboratory visits

RTG 2906 is based in Göttingen, a university town with 28,000 students across all disciplines. The Göttingen Campus has its overarching research foci in living networks, sustainability, and dynamics of change, and includes four Max-Planck Institutes, the German Primate Center, the Campus Institute for Data Science, and the Campus Institute for Dynamics of Biological Networks. The eleven doctoral projects are spread across these Göttingen Campus institutes.

How to apply:

Detailed information on the application process, the research project and the training programme are available on the RTG webpage. As part of the online application process you will be asked to upload a motivation letter and certified copies of your degree and language certificates. There will be a total of eleven open PhD positions in RTG 2906; in case you are applying for more than one position, please indicate this in your cover letter (n.b. applying for more than one position is in no way detrimental to your application). Please note that you must apply to each position separately.

• For questions about the position, please contact Prof. Michael Wibral (michael.wibral@uni-goettingen.de)
• If you have any questions about the application process, you can write to rtg2906@uni-goettingen.de

Please upload your application in one pdf file including the usual documents until 3/15/2026 on the application portal of the university using this link: http://obp.uni-goettingen.de/de-de/OBF/Index/76193. For more information get in touch with Aleksandra Bovt directly via E-Mail: abovt@uni-goettingen.de, Tel. +49 5513927963.