Wissenschaftliche*r Mitarbeiter*in / PhD (m/w/d)

The main focus of the research group 'Cognitive Neurophysiology' (head: Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Christian Beste) at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden is the investigation of neurobiological basics of cognitive control and executive functions using modern experimental psychological, neurophysiological and neurobiological methods in healthy people and neuropsychiatric diseases.

The position is to be filled in cognitive neuroscience, human EEG, and adaptive neurotechnology. The position is fixed-term for 1 year and is to be filled as of 1 November 2026. However, in line with the further development of your individual professional interests, we would be pleased to explore the possibility of longer-term collaboration. Remuneration will be based on the provisions of the collective agreement for the public service of the German federal states (TV-L). Subject to the fulfilment of the personal requirements, classification in salary group E13 is possible; the position is remunerated at 65%.

We are looking for a highly motivated doctoral researcher who wants to understand how the human brain dynamically coordinates perception, action, and cognitive control. The project will investigate how neural oscillations interact across time and frequency, how information flows between brain regions, and how transient EEG brain states support adaptive behaviour. The position is ideal for candidates who are excited by the interface of experimental psychology, cognitive neuroscience, computational EEG analysis, and translational neurotechnology. The project asks, which dynamic EEG states are meaningful markers of cognitive control, and how could such markers inform future adaptive neurofeedback, neuromodulation, or closed-loop brain-state monitoring? The PhD project will examine this using human EEG and advanced signal-analysis approaches. The successful candidate will study how oscillatory coupling and directed information flow change across cognitive-control demands and how such dynamics relate to behaviour, variability, and adaptive performance. Depending on the candidates interests, the project may also include a translational component, for example in relation to ADHD, cognitive-control instability, neurofeedback, or adaptive neuromodulation. The project is therefore well suited for candidates who want to combine deep mechanistic questions about human cognition with modern computational EEG methods and translational perspectives on adaptive neurotechnology.

Your Responsibilities:

Investigation of the neuronal mechanisms of cognitive control using EEG data

Analysis of dynamic EEG states as markers of adaptive behavior

Exploration of the interplay between neuronal oscillations across time and frequency domains

Investigation of directed information flow between brain regions

Application of modern methods in computational EEG signal processing and data analysis

Analysis of the relationships between neuronal dynamics, behavior, and performance variability

Development and evaluation of potential biomarkers for cognitive control

Contribution to the advancement of translational approaches, e.g., in the fields of neurofeedback, adaptive neuromodulation, or closed-loop systems

Opportunity to address translational research questions, for instance in the context of ADHD or cognitive control instability

Presentation and publication of scientific findings at national and international conferences and i