PhD Position in Computational Neuroscience/Machine Learning

At the University of Göttingen -Public Law Foundation-, Graduiertenkolleg 2906 Neugier, there is a position as

to be filled. Starting date is 8/1/2026. The position is limited to 7/31/2029.

As part of a research network that has been established at the University of Göttingen in 2024 - Research Training Group (RTG) 2906 Curiosity - we advertise here a PhD position for an initial period of three years, with a very strong possibility of extension for a further year. The project is expected to commence on August 1st, 2026.

Across eleven projects, scientists in the second cohort of the RTG 2906 will investigate the neuropsychological, biological, and computational underpinnings of curiosity. The network comprises a highly interdisciplinary consortium of psychologists, biologists as well as systems and computational neuroscientists who will work together to answer three broad research questions: (A) When are we curious? (B) Why are we curious? and (C) How are we curious? The future PhD candidate will investigate drivers of curiosity in computer-game based experiments using information theory and reinforcement learning based approaches. The goal is to bridge the gap between first principle based models of curiosity and data driven models of human behavior. To that end, the candidate will develop new experimental paradigms for curiosity based on the models that will be tested with human participants at various ages and developmental states. In addition, the candidate is expected to contribute to a computational benchmark that tests the explanatory power of different models of curiosity.

Your profile:

• Excellent M.Sc. degree (or equivalent) in Computational Neuroscience or Machine Learning, or a related field e.g., Computer science, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Cognitive Science
• Experience conducting experimental studies with human participants is not necessary but would be beneficial
• Programming experience, particularly in Python and deep learning libraries
• Advanced statistical and analytical abilities, particularly probability and linear algebra
• Excellent command of the English language (Level C1); German language skills are not necessary
• Excellent critical thinking and communication skills

What we offer:

• A highly interdisciplinary and collaborative, team-oriented research environment
• Close supervision by an interdisciplinary Thesis Advisory Committee
• Enrolment in a training programme comprising compulsory and elective courses suited to individual needs and careers goals, as well as regular retreats and summer schools
• Ample funding for conferences and external laboratory visits

RTG 2906 is based in Göttingen, a university town with 28,000 students across all disciplines. The Göttingen Campus has its overarching research foci in living networks, sustainability, and dynamics of change, and includes four Max-Planck Institutes, the German Primate Center, the Campus Institute for Data Science, and the Campus Institute for Dynamics of Biological Networks. The eleven doctoral projects are spread across these Göttingen Campus institutes.

How to apply:
Detailed information on the application process, the research project and the training programme are available on the RTG webpage (https://www.uni-goettingen.de/rtg2906). As part of the online application process you will be asked to upload a motivation letter and certified copies of your degree and language certificates. There will be a total of eleven open PhD positions in RTG 2906; in case you are applying for more than one position, please indicate this in your cover letter (n.b. applying for more than one position is in no way detrimental to your application). Please note that you must apply to each position separately.

• For questions about the position, please contact Prof. Fabian Sinz (fabian.sinz@uni-goettingen.de)
• If you have any questions about the application process, you can write to rtg2906@uni-goettingen.de

The University of Göttingen is an equal opportunities employer and places particular emphasis on fostering career opportunities for women. Qualified women are therefore strongly encouraged to apply in fields in which they are underrepresented. The university has committed itself to being a family-friendly institution and supports their employees in balancing work and family life. The University is particularly committed to the professional participation of severely disabled employees and therefore welcomes applications from severely disabled people. In the case of equal qualifications, applications from people with severe disabilities will be given preference. A disability or equality is to be included in the application in order to protect the interests of the applicant.

Please upload your application in one pdf file including the usual documents until 1/31/2026 on the application portal of the university using this link: http://obp.uni-goettingen.de/de-de/OBF/Index/76189. For more information get in touch with Aleksandra Bovt directly via E-Mail: abovt@uni-goettingen.de, Tel. +49 5513927963.

Please note:
With submission of your application, you accept the processing of your applicant data in terms of data-protection law. Further information on the legal basis and data usage is provided in the Information General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

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