Cornelia McCormick

PhD researcher position in the research group Neuroimaging and Interindividual Differences at the Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo) in Dortmund, Germany. The project, “Layers of imagination: Layer-specific pathways for constructing mnemonic and fictitious experiences,” is part of the DFG research group “Layers of Memory” , an interdisciplinary network spanning Dortmund, Bochum, Essen, and Magdeburg. The work focuses on imagination, autobiographical memory, and the construction of internal scenes, with a particular emphasis on the human medial temporal lobe (MTL) , hippocampus, and adjacent cortical areas. The successful candidate will contribute to the planning, conduct, and analysis of multimodal 7T MRI studies . Key tasks include analysing laminar microstructure and connectivity in the MTL, integrating qMRI , diffusion, and functional imaging data, and developing suitable analysis strategies for laminar data. The project aims to understand how laminar microstructure relates to interindividual differences in imagination, memory performance, and functional MTL activity. A central part of the data collection will take place at the 7 Tesla research infrastructure in Bonn , so regular on-site work in Bonn is expected. The project will be carried out in close collaboration with Prof. Dr. Cornelia McCormick (Universitätsklinikum Bonn) and with the team in Dortmund. This is a part-time PhD position (65%) , initially limited to 4 years , with remuneration according to TV-L E 13 . The salary is listed as EUR 3,093.59 to EUR 4,397.05 per month , depending on personal qualifications, along with public-service benefits such as an annual bonus and capital-forming benefits. The position offers flexible working hours, support for professional development, and integration into an international and interdisciplinary research environment. Eligibility highlights include a master’s degree in neuroscience, psychology, biology, physics, engineering, computer science, or a comparable field, as well as proven experience with structural and functional MRI data. Experience with 7T imaging, diffusion imaging, qMRI, or laminar analysis is desirable, and programming skills in Python, Matlab, or similar environments are an advantage. To apply, candidates should send a complete application package including CV, motivation letter, proof of academic degrees, and references. Applications must quote the reference code FB Psycho 01/26 and be submitted by email to [email protected] by 08 November 2026 .