PhD Position: Brain Health in Menopausal Women (MenoBrain) – Neuroimaging and Hormone Therapy Effects
The Division for Women's Mental Health & Brain Function at Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Germany, is offering a fully funded PhD position as part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network 'MenoBrain: Brain Health in Menopausal Women.' This three-year doctoral project will investigate the effects of bioidentical menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) on emotion regulation (ER) as a transdiagnostic factor for mental health in women during the menopause transition. The research will employ a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled fMRI study to assess how body-identical MHT influences behavioral and neural mechanisms of ER in perimenopausal women. Participants will undergo functional MRI during emotion regulation tasks, as well as resting-state, diffusion tensor imaging, and anatomical scans. The study is conducted in collaboration with the Women’s Clinic, with hormone therapy initiated and participants measured before and three months after therapy begins. The project aims to fill a critical gap in understanding mood symptoms and brain changes during perimenopause, providing multidimensional insights into the impact of MHT on mental health. The position is embedded in a vibrant international network, offering training weeks, summer schools, conference participation, and interdisciplinary secondments in Uppsala and Oslo. The fellowship is fully funded according to MSCA rules, including salary, mobility, and family allowances. Applicants must have a Master’s degree in Psychology, Neuroscience, Cognitive Sciences, or a related field, with strong interests in psychoneuroendocrinology, experimental research, and statistics. Programming skills and MRI data analysis experience are desirable. Excellent English skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively are required. MSCA eligibility applies: candidates must be within the first four years of their research career, not hold a doctoral degree, and not have resided or worked/studied in Germany for more than 12 months in the 36 months prior to recruitment. To apply, submit a motivation letter, CV, degree certificates, and referee contacts in a single PDF to [email protected], indicating the DC5 position. For further information, contact Prof. Dr. Birgit Derntl at [email protected]. The application deadline is November 30, 2025, with preference for early applications.
