LMG NeuroLearn·Berlin· Onsite

2 PhD Positions in LMG NeuroLearn at the MPI for Human Development

2 PhD positions on the neural foundations of literacy acquisition, early brain development, and/or linking brain structure and function within collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment.

At the Max Planck Institute for Human Development, we study how and why people develop differently over the course of their lives, and how physical, societal, and technological aspects of the environment shape this process. Working across disciplines such as psychology, neuroscience, computer science, economics, and sociology, we do research within a context that fosters academic freedom, curiosity, and collaborative work to generate insights that help shape living conditions for individuals and societies to thrive. We combine pioneering interdisciplinary research infrastructures with local and international collaboration to generate knowledge that strengthens individuals and society. Our vision is that of a healthy environment and an open society that allows individuals to realize their potential.

The Lise Meitner Group Neuroplasticity in Development and Learning at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Berlin invites applications for 2 PhD Positions (E 13 TVöD 75%; 39 hours/week). The positions are for 3 years and are available from October 1, 2026 on, but later start dates are possible.

Job Description

The Lise Meitner Group Neuroplasticity in Development and Learning explores how the human brain develops from the prenatal period through infancy, childhood, and into adulthood, and how experience shapes brain organization and function across the lifespan. Combining state-of-the-art multimodal MRI techniques with behavioral research, we quantify changes in white and gray matter organization, myelination, and brain function to investigate the neural mechanisms underlying cognitive development and learning. Our work thus bridges fundamental neuroscience with questions of direct relevance for education and child development. To address these questions, we combine locally acquired longitudinal neuroimaging and behavioral datasets with the analysis of large-scale, openly available datasets, enabling us to investigate both individual developmental trajectories and population-level variability. The advertised positions offer the opportunity to contribute to research on the neural foundations of literacy acquisition, early brain development, and/or the interplay between brain structure and function within a collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment.