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Faculty of Psychology:
Psychological Method lab 


In order to fill a fixed-term position in full-time (39.83 hours/week = 100%) 01.09.2025 or later, we are looking for  1

postdoctoral researcher (m/f/x) "Loneliness across time and space (LOTIS)"

At the Psychological Methods lab at the Faculty of Psychology, we conduct research on loneliness, well-being, and personality across the lifespan. For more information on our research, please visit http://www.pml.psy.rub.de. The position to be filled is part of the ERC project "Loneliness across time and space (LOTIS)" funded by the European Union. For more information on the project, please visit https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101169640.

LOTIS is a five-year project funded by an ERC Consolidator Grant that attempts to advance our understanding of how loneliness and places are linked. We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher (100%, 48 months) who will conceptualize and implement the central longitudinal study of the project, a three-year study combining experience sampling and mobile sensing in four repeated waves. The study will be conducted in Bochum, Germany. The postdoctoral researcher will be part of an international project team consisting of at least two other doctoral researchers and the supervisor and principal investigator Prof. Luhmann. In addition, there is the possibility for further research cooperations within the Psychological Methods team. Please note that this position is not suitable for a remote-only arrangement.

Scope: full-time
Duration: fixed-term, 4 years / 48 months
Start: 01.09.2025 or later
Apply by:
2025-06-03

Your tasks:

  • Conceptualization, implementation and analysis of a three-year longitudinal study combining experience sampling and mobile sensing methodology
  • Recruitment of a representative sample of participants in Bochum, Germany, in cooperation with city administrators
  • Data management and data analysis, with a particular focus on data management of complex unstructured GPS data and advance statistical methods (particularly machine learning)
  • Implementation of Open Science principles in all project phases (e.g., pre-registration of studies, transparent research data management)
  • Publication of English-language articles on the project results
  • Science communication on the project (e.g. public talks, media interviews)

Your profile:

  • Doctoral degree in psychology
  • International research experience (e.g., peer-reviewed publications in international journals, international research stays)
  • Enthusiasm for the topic of the project (topic-specific expertise is of advantage, but not a requirement)
  • Excellent data analytic skills (e.g., machine learning methods; management and analysis of GPS data or other mobile sensing data; large-language models) and advanced knowledge of the statistical software packages R and Python and their extensions
  • Strong and consistent open science record
  • International research experience, experience in science communication and experience with industrial or administrative collaborations are of advantage
  • Excellent command of written and spoken German and English
  • Because of its focus on the city of Bochum, local knowledge of the city and geography is of advantage
  • Reliability, ability to work in an international team and high commitment

We offer:

    Challenging and varied tasks with a high level of independence, Collaboration in a committed and appreciative team, Options for flexible working (mobile working and teleworking)

    Further information:

    The position is salaried and based on the collective agreement of the Länder (TV-L). If the personal and collective agreement requirements are met, the employee will receive pay grade E13 100% TV-L.

    Further information can be found at https://oeffentlicher-dienst.info/ (in German).

    The place of work is Ruhr University Bochum.

    If the position is funded by third-party funds the employee has no teaching obligation.

    At the request of the applicant (m,f,x), the staff council may be involved in selection interviews.

    The Ruhr-Universität Bochum is one of Germany’s leading research universities, addressing the whole range of academic disciplines. A highly dynamic setting enables researchers and students to work across the traditional boundaries of academic subjects and faculties. To create knowledge networks within and beyond the university is Ruhr-Universität Bochum’s declared aim.


    The Ruhr-Universität Bochum stands for diversity and equal opportunities. For this reason, we favour a working environment composed of heterogeneous teams, and seek to promote the careers of individuals who are underrepresented in our respective professional areas. The Ruhr-Universität Bochum expressly requests job applications from women. In areas in which they are underrepresented they will be given preference in the case of equivalent qualifications with male candidates. Applications from individuals with disabilities are most welcome.

    Contact persons for further information:

    Prof. Dr. Maike Luhmann Tel.: +49 234 32 24624
    Stephanie Hedtfeld Tel.: +49 234 32 27169

    Travel costs, accommodation costs and loss of earnings or other application costs for job interviews can unfortunately not be reimbursed.

    We look forward to receiving your application via our online application portal by 2025-06-03. Please make sure to mention the reference number ANR 4562.

    Online application
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