155 FB 8 Research Associate (m/f/d)

The Cognitive Modelling research group (Prof. Dr. Lilian Weber) of the Institute of Cognitive Science is seeking to appoint a

Research Associate (m/f/d),
(Salary level E 13, TV-L 65%)

to commence work at the earliest possible date. This is a temporary, three-year position.

Your duties:

• The successful candidate will complement existing research of the Cognitive Modelling group, in particular in connection with the group’s past and ongoing research into the neurocognitive mechanisms supporting adaptive learning and decision-making and the interoceptive basis of reward and motivation

• The successful candidate will contribute to the group’s academic activities, including the active acquisition of third-party funding, presenting in lab meetings and journal clubs, and co-supervising and acting as a source of advice to less experienced group members conducting other research projects

• The position involves teaching Cognitive Science courses at B.Sc. and M.Sc. level (2.6 hours/week)

• Opportunity to work towards a PhD or Habilitation (venia legendi) during working hours

Requirements:

• Strong academic background (Master’s degree or equivalent) in cognitive science, computational neuroscience, physics, mathematics, statistics, psychology, or other related fields
• Strong quantitative and programming skills (e.g., Matlab or Python) to design experiments, analyse data, and to conduct computational simulations and/or advanced statistical analysis
• Excellent communication skills in English
• A collaborative mindset and the ability to work responsibly within a team
• At least one of the following:
  • Evidence of prior experience in running neuromodulation studies including TMS and TUS in human participants
  • Evidence of prior experience in the collection and analysis of EEG data in human participants
  • Evidence of prior experience in developing and applying cognitive models (e.g., Bayesian learning models, reinforcement learning, drift diffusion models) to data from human participants
  • Evidence of prior experience in developing and applying biophysical models (e.g., dynamic causal models, dynamical systems theory) to data from human participants

Additional Qualifications:

• A research project that can be connected to either flexible cognition in changing environments or to research on the interoceptive basis of reinforcement learning is especially appreciated.

Osnabrück University is a family-friendly university and is committed to helping working parents balance their family and working lives.

Osnabrück University is committed to equal opportunities, diversity, and the professional equality of the genders. We promote a culture of science and work that enables fair opportunities and a discrimination-free environment for learning, teaching, and working. In doing so, we strive for fair representation of all social groups among our staff and work to counteract underrepresentation.

Applications from people with severe disabilities and those treated as equivalent under applicable law will be given preferential consideration where candidates are equally qualified.

Please submit your application with the usual supporting documentation by e-mail in a single PDF file to the Director of the Institute of Cognitive Science () to arrive by October 14, 2026.

We look forward to receiving your application.

For further information regarding this vacancy, please contact Prof. Dr. Lilian Weber ().