Helmut Schmidt University in Hamburg, Germany, is offering a PhD Research Assistant position within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, specifically in the Professorship for Experimental Psychology led by Univ.-Prof. Dr. Jacobsen. The role is embedded in the Cluster of Excellence 'Understanding Written Artefacts: Material, Interaction and Transmission in Manuscript Cultures' and the Experimental Psychology Unit. The research focus includes experimental aesthetics, neurocognitive psychology of aesthetics, auditory processing (such as speech perception, natural language processing, pre-attentive language comprehension, mismatch negativity, and sensory memory), and executive functions.

The successful candidate will conduct independent research as part of a third-party funded project, engaging in project planning, literature review, study design (semiotic and cognitive), fieldwork, surveys, experiments, data analysis, and dissemination of results. Responsibilities also include presenting and publishing findings in English, participating in collaborative research meetings, organizing scholarly events, and building interdisciplinary networks. The position offers the possibility of further academic qualification, such as a doctorate or habilitation, and involves general administrative and academic self-administration duties.

Applicants must have a completed university degree (Diploma [univ.] or Master) in Psychology, cognitive science, neuroscience, or a related field. English proficiency at B2 to C1 level is required. Desired skills include a structured and independent working style, teamwork and interdisciplinary collaboration, ability to present and publish in English, and confident use of modern collaboration and project-management tools. Strong command of statistics and quantitative methods (including linear/mixed-effects models and power analysis) and experience with analysis and visualization in R, Python, or SPSS are expected. Experience with collaborative writing/reference tools (Overleaf/LaTeX, Google Docs, Zotero/EndNote), survey/panel platforms (Qualtrics/SoSci, Prolific), and reproducible workflows (clean documentation, Git) is advantageous. Fast learning and a proactive, structured approach are highly valued.

The position is full-time (39 hours/week) and limited until 30.06.2029, with part-time employment possible. Employment is based on the TVöD (Collective agreement for the public service) in conjunction with the Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz (German Act on Fixed-Term Scientific Contracts), classified up to pay group 13 (E13). Benefits include annual bonus payment, company pension scheme, flexible working hours, employer-subsidized DeutschlandJobTicket, access to childcare near campus, targeted personnel development, extensive training opportunities, budget-friendly meals, workplace health promotion, free campus parking, and use of the Bundeswehr's car-sharing service.

The university promotes professional equality and welcomes applications from women and severely disabled persons. For further information about the university and the professorship, visit www.hsu-hh.de and https://www.hsu-hh.de/epu/en.

To apply, submit your application with the usual documents in electronic form (PDF), quoting the reference number GeiSo-1625, by 11.01.2026 to [email protected]. Applications without the reference number will not be considered. For scientific or technical questions, contact Univ.-Prof. Dr. Jacobsen ([email protected]) or Dr. Weiler ([email protected]).