The Center for Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, is seeking applications for a

Pre-doctoral Research Position

(E 13 TVöD 65%; 39 hours/week)

The successful applicant will work in a long-term research project that aims at implementing an experimental study suited to identify and recover 'lost' memories formed early in life. The conceptual objective is to better understand the mechanisms underlying infantile amnesia. The position is part of an international collaboration with Tomás Ryan (Trinity College Dublin) and is partially funded by the Jacobs Foundation. The position is available from October 2020, or later and limited to three years. Job description
In the context of the project, "Lifespan Rhythms of Memory and Cognition (RHYME)", the successful applicant will design and implement an experimental set-up that uses mobile EEG and simultaneous video recordings to study the interplay of spatial navigation and memory in a real-world-like interactive environment. The overarching goals of the study are to generate, identify, manipulate, and possibly retrieve unique spatial memories (i.e., memory engrams) in fully mobile humans of different ages. The successful applicant will address several of these goals in the dissertation. Specifically, the successful candidate will work on the development of computational techniques for the non-invasive identification of unique spatial memories from mobile EEG recordings. The successful candidate will contribute to establish a new testing site that allows tracking of learning and memory formation with video recordings and fully mobile EEG. There are no formal teaching requirements. The research group is located at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development (MPIB) in Berlin with an international working atmosphere. Requirements
We are searching a highly motivated research scientist (pre-doctoral level) with a background in psychology, neuroscience, computer science, physics, or related fields. The successful applicant needs to hold a master's degree in one of these fields. Applicants need to have documented knowledge in cognitive modeling, computational modeling, advanced multivariate statistical methods, and/or machine learning approaches to neuroimaging data analyses. Hands-on knowledge in conducting experimental research is advantageous. The ability to work independently and high English-language proficiency are required. The Max Planck Society strives for gender and diversity equality. We welcome applications from all backgrounds.