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Fully Funded 4‑year Postdoc Position in Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience (Area: Social Cognition) – DoellerLab Max-Planck-Institut für Kognitions- und Neurowissenschaften (MPI CBS)
The Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences (MPI CBS) in Leipzig, Germany, is an internationally recognized research institute of the Max Planck Society and is dedicated to the study of human cognitive abilities and brain processes as well as the development of neuroimaging methods.
Fully Funded 4‑year Postdoc Position
in Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience
(Area: Social Cognition) – DoellerLab
Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences (MPI-CBS), Leipzig, Germany
4-year position | International environment | Cutting-edge research facilities
ABOUT THE POSITION
We invite applications for a fully funded 4-year postdoctoral position funded by DFG for an outstanding early-career researcher to join the team of Christian Doeller at the Department of Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences (MPI-CBS), Leipzig, Germany.
You will work at the forefront of cognitive neuroscience in a highly interdisciplinary and international environment, with access to world-class facilities and a vibrant scientific community.
Start date: Flexible
WHAT WE STUDY
Our research is guided by the framework of cognitive spaces, testing the overarching hypothesis that spatial coding principles of the hippocampal-entorhinal system provide the basis for abstract, domain-general low‑dimensional representations of cognitive variables. Under this umbrella, we explore:
- Spatial navigation, temporal, episodic, and working memory
- Learning, decision-making, and knowledge acquisition
- Translational research on population coding and Alzheimer’s disease
Key research methods: fMRI (including 7T), MEG, virtual reality (VR), a wide variety of cognitive tasks, psychophysics, machine learning, deep neural networks, and computational modelling.
Within the Department, we maintain strong synergies with the Neural Computation Group (PI: Andrej Bicanski), which develops mechanistic computational models of brain function and behavior. We also have long-term collaborations with the Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience in Trondheim, Norway.
Learn more about our work:
Department of Psychology – Christian Doeller
PROJECT FOR THIS CALL
This position is embedded in a forthcoming Leibniz Prize project that builds directly on our lab’s work on cognitive maps and the hippocampal-entorhinal system. The project investigates how spatial coding principles extend beyond traditional domains (e.g., navigation and memory) to support social cognition and belief formation.
A central aim of this project group is to develop a neurocognitive account of how spatial mapping mechanisms give rise to social cognition and belief formation, and how these processes may underlie systematic cognitive biases. In doing so, the project extends core neuroscientific principles toward a neuroscience of social understanding while maintaining a strong emphasis on mechanistic explanation.
By linking individual-level neural computations to higher-level cognitive and collective phenomena, this research bridges cognitive and computational neuroscience and social psychology within a unified framework.
WHAT WE SEEK
We are looking for outstanding early-career scientists, who bring fresh ideas, deep curiosity, and a collaborative mindset.
You should have:
- A PhD in cognitive neuroscience, psychology, biology, computer science, physics, or a related field
- Expertise or strong interest in social cognition
- Solid expertise in cognitive neuroscience methods
- Strong programming skills
- Excellent academic track record
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
We value scientific ambition, creativity, openness, and strong communication skills.
WHAT WE OFFER
This is a fully funded, 4-year postdoctoral position (with the possibility of a 1-year extension) in the research group of Christian Doeller.
The position offers an exceptional opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research in an international, cross‑disciplinary, and intellectually stimulating environment. As a member of the DoellerLab, you will collaborate with outstanding scientists in an open, supportive, intellectually stimulating, and high‑performance environment.
Research Infrastructure:
You will have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including:
- Four 3T MR scanners and one 7T MR scanner
- MEG, EEG, VR labs, psychophysics & eye-tracking facilities
- Access to neurological patients via the Day Clinic for Cognitive Neurology at Leipzig University Hospital as part of collaborative projects
Academic & Leadership Development – DoellerLab:
- Personalized mentoring, including tailored support for scientific and career development
- Opportunity to work towards developing independent research directions and engage in interdisciplinary collaboration
- Opportunity to co-supervise undergraduate and PhD students and contribute to training the next generation of scientists
- Support for presenting research at leading international conferences, including opportunities for visibility and networking (independent travel budget)
- Targeted career development planning, including external academic or industry mentors
- Access to career development workshops, coaching, and training
- Access to leading scientific networks
Compensation & Inclusion:
- Salary is based on the regulations of the Max Planck Society and is commensurate with experience.
- We support flexible working arrangements, work-life balance, and family-friendly working conditions, including parental support measures where applicable.
- We are committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion and welcome applications from all backgrounds.
- We offer flexible working arrangements and support a healthy work-life balance.
- We are committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in our workforce and encourage applications from such individuals.
Life in Leipzig:
Leipzig is a vibrant city that has been called “Germany’s new cultural hot spot” by The Guardian and is listed as one of the places to go by The New York Times. It has a rich tradition in classical music, academic education, and – more recently – the modern arts. Leipzig is home to three Max Planck Institutes.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications will be evaluated based on scientific merit and research potential. Please submit (in one pdf file):
- A cover letter
- CV
- A max. 2-page research proposal that clearly aligns with the project described above, demonstrating how your ideas fit within and contribute to this research direction
- Contact details of three referees (to be contacted after initial review)
Applications must be submitted by July 13, 2026, via our online portal (reference number “PostDoc 03/26”).
Apply now
If you have any questions, please contact doeller-office@cbs.mpg.de.
Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences
Postfach 500355
D-04303 Leipzig
www.cbs.mpg.de/en
Reference number
PostDoc 03/26
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