We are inviting applications for three PhD positions within the newly established Collaborative Research Center CRC 1844 "Episodic Memory" at Ruhr University Bochum, Germany, pending final funding approval.

The CRC brings together researchers from computational neuroscience, psychology, neuroscience, and philosophy to investigate how episodic memories are encoded, reconstructed, and used in cognition and behavior.

The three positions focus on different aspects of episodic memory research:

1. Project A07 – Computational Modeling of Episodic Memory Development

Develop computational models to investigate how episodic memory develops in children, using modern artificial neural networks and deep reinforcement learning. The project involves close collaboration with experimental researchers in psychology and neuroscience.

https://jobs.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/jobposting/535055f07b13f29c9ad9ecf2809e56aea4d3a3960

2. Project A10 – Episodic Memory and Spatial Navigation

Investigate the functional role of episodic memory in spatial navigation through computational modeling, including artificial neural networks and deep reinforcement learning. The project combines theoretical modeling with simulations of experimental tasks.

https://jobs.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/jobposting/bb916076d7b6b55ac97d7e5b3a9872a019eb61c00

3. Project Z02 – Gamified Episodic Memory Research and Citizen Science

Investigate episodic memory using behavioral data collected through a digital serious game developed in collaboration with the Cologne Game Lab. The project focuses on computational and statistical analysis of large-scale memory data, connecting fundamental memory research with citizen science and public engagement.

https://jobs.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/jobposting/fec7155cf49f90ef54729f1412129f5b84aed4f70

General information:

• Application deadline: November 2, 2026

• Starting date: January 1, 2027 (subject to funding approval)

• Duration: Until December 31, 2030

• Salary: TV-L E13, 75% position

• Location: Ruhr University Bochum, Germany

We welcome applications from motivated candidates with a Master's degree in computational neuroscience, computer science, physics, mathematics, or related disciplines. Strong programming and quantitative skills, an interest in memory research, and enthusiasm for interdisciplinary collaboration are particularly valued.

For details about the positions, qualifications, and application procedures, please consult the respective job advertisements.

We would appreciate it if you could forward this announcement to interested candidates.

Best regards,