Overview

A fully funded 4-year PhD opportunity is currently available at the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, offering advanced training in experimental language evolution research.

Eligibility

Applicants are expected to have a strong academic and research background in relevant fields. The ideal candidate will meet the following requirements:

A Master’s degree (or near completion by August 2026) in fields such as:
- Linguistics
- Psychology
- Cognitive Science
- Neuroscience
Strong interest in language evolution, communication, and cognitive science
Experience in empirical research, including:
- Experimental design
- Data collection and analysis
- Academic writing and reporting
Familiarity with experimental tools such as:
- PsychoPy
- E-Prime
- Gorilla
- Presentation software
Programming experience in R and/or Python
Knowledge of statistical modelling, including:
- Mixed-effects regression models
- Bayesian statistics (e.g., brms, lme4)
Excellent written and spoken English

Benefits

This is a fully funded doctoral position offering strong financial and professional support throughout the 4-year program.

Monthly gross salary: approximately €3,185
30 days annual leave
Dutch and German public holidays observed
Pension scheme contributions (employer + employee)
Full-time research contract (39 hours per week)
Access to advanced research facilities
Generous funding for conferences and travel

How to Apply

Applicants must submit a complete application in PDF format, including:

One-page motivation statement explaining interest in the project, relevant qualifications, and research interests
One-page summary of Master’s thesis
Full CV including education history, publications, and research experience
Contact details for at least three referees