Frank Spinath

Saarland University invites applications for seven Doctoral Research Positions within the Research Training Group (RTG) 2988 “Flexibility and Balance as Characteristics of Adaptive Self-Regulation,” funded by the DFG. Located in the Departments of Psychology and Educational Sciences, the RTG investigates how flexibility and balance in self-regulatory competencies impact performance and well-being. The RTG offers a stimulating scientific environment, integrating PhD students into both the RTG and their supervisor’s workgroup, with opportunities for collaboration, joint activities, and international research stays. Research projects span a broad spectrum of psychology and educational sciences, including daily dynamics and personality characteristics, self-regulated learning, trauma coping, real-life goal pursuit, workplace goal balancing, brain activity related to reward and control, and attentional processes in competing goals. Supervisors include Prof. Dr. Malte Friese, Dr. Laura Dörrenbächer-Ulrich, Dr. Franziska Perels, Dr. Anselm Crombach, Prof. Dr. Frank Spinath, Prof. Dr. Cornelius König, Prof. Dr. Axel Mecklinger, Prof. Dr. Dirk Wentura, and Dr. Karolin Gieseler. Successful candidates will carry out impactful research, develop their doctoral project in cooperation with supervisors, and participate in a comprehensive qualification and supervision program. The position is designed for completion of a PhD within four years. Regular on-site presence at Saarbrücken is essential, though some remote work is possible. Applicants must have a completed Master’s degree in psychology or a related discipline, English proficiency at C1 level (GER), and for project F5, French B2. Candidates should demonstrate enthusiasm for psychological research, strong methodological skills, reliability, independence, teamwork, and openness to transparent research practices. Funding includes salary according to the German TV-L scale (E13 TV-L, 75% of standard working time), a four-year contract, supplementary pension scheme, discounted public transport, job bike leasing, occupational health management, and professional development opportunities. Part-time employment is possible. Foreign degree holders must provide proof of equivalence from ZAB before hiring. The university encourages applications from all backgrounds and offers preferential consideration for severely disabled persons. To apply, submit a single PDF file (motivation letter, CV, references, diplomas, certificates) by 31 May 2026 to [email protected], indicating your preferred research projects and reference number W2843. For further details, visit https://flexbar.org or contact [email protected].