Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research (LIR), Mainz

The Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research (LIR) gGmbH is a non-university research institute dedicated to investigating the phenomenon of resilience – that is, the maintenance or rapid recovery of mental health during or after acute or chronic stressful life circumstances.

On October 1, 2025, a new research group was established at the LIR under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Julia Linke. The group’s research integrates clinical and developmental psychology with cognitive neuroscience and follows a translational approach in the spirit of "from bench to bedside to curbside.” In the basic research domain (bench), the group investigates the neurobiological mechanisms of healthy development and resilience as well as neurobiological signatures of stress-related symptoms. The research focuses on critical transition periods such as adolescence, starting college or a first job, and becoming a parent, as well as on high-risk populations including individuals with minority identities, teachers, and healthcare professionals. The overarching goal is to gain a deeper understanding of natural developmental trajectories and to develop effective short-term interventions, which are evaluated in collaboration with the clinical research unit at JGU (bedside). In addition, the group aims to develop and evaluate scalable interventions to promote resilience in the general population (curbside). As part of the newly established Linke Lab, we are looking to fill the position of a:

(100% position, currently 38,5 hours/week, limited to three years)

Your tasks include:

• Design and planning of studies, coordination of study implementation, data analysis and interpretation (with a focus on neuroimaging data analysis, usage of AI and/ or computational modeling of psychological processes), dissemination of findings in international peer-reviewed journals and at conferences, and acquisition of third-party funding
• Supervision of doctoral students and student research assistants

Your profile:

• Completed university degree (Diploma/Master’s) in Clinical, Developmental, Health, or Biological Psychology, Medicine, or Neuroscience, along with a PhD in a relevant discipline
• Strong background in statistical analysis and demonstrated proficiency in Python, R, and/or MATLAB
• Prior experience in neuroimaging data analysis, AI methods, and/or the computational modeling of psychological processes is desirable
• Strong research interest in mechanisms and promotion of resilience
• Excellent command of English (written and spoken) and willingness to develop German language proficiency within the first year
• Ability to work independently, with a strong commitment to developing one’s own research focus

We offer:

• Be part of a vibrant scientific community and a dynamic, research-driven environment that values flat hierarchies, personal responsibility, and creative freedom
• Benefit from excellent infrastructure, including access to MRI, EEG, peripheral physiology, and ambulatory assessment facilities, as well as dedicated technical support
• Enjoy flexible working hours
• Receive mentoring and take advantage of diverse opportunities for professional growth and advanced training
• Access an employer-funded pension scheme for employees in the public sector (VBL)

Payment is based on EG 13 TV-UM (collective agreement of the University Medical Center Mainz).

For research related questions, please contact Prof. Dr. Julia Linke (Head of the research group) by email or in person: julia.linke@lir-mainz.de.

Please send us your detailed application (including cover letter, CV without photo, publication list, a 1–2 page research statement outlining your research experience and interests, certificates, diplomas, transcripts, and the contact details of two references) by e-mail only and in one coherent PDF file, stating your earliest possible start date, by 15 November 2025 to: recruiting@lir-mainz.de. Please include the reference code LIR_123 in the subject line.

Women shall be given preferential consideration in recruitment in the case of equivalent suitability, qualification and professional performance, insofar as and as long as there is an under-representation. This does not apply if there are such serious reasons in the person of an applicant that they outweigh women, even taking into account the requirement for equality. Severely disabled applicants with the same qualifications will be given preference (proof required).

Notes on data protection

Your personal data contained in the application documents or, if applicable, obtained in the interview will be processed exclusively for the purpose of the selection procedure for this advertised position.

The legal basis for data processing in the application process and as part of the personnel file is Section 26 (1) sentence 1 BDSG and Art. 6 (1) (b) GDPR and, if you have given your consent, for example by sending information that is not necessary for the application process, Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR. The legal basis for data processing after a rejection is Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR. The legal basis for storage under budgetary and tax law is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. c GDPR in conjunction with § SECTION 147 AO. Legitimate interest in processing on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 lit. (f) GDPR is the defense against legal claims.

As a rule, we do not require any special categories of personal data within the meaning of Art. 9 GDPR for the application process. We ask you not to send us any such information from the outset. If such information is exceptionally relevant to the application process, we will process it together with your other applicant data. This may, for example, concern information about a severe disability, which you can provide to us voluntarily and which we then have to process in order to fulfill our special obligations with regard to severely disabled persons. In these cases, the processing serves the exercise of rights or the fulfillment of legal obligations arising from labor law, social security law and social protection. The legal basis for data processing is then Art. 9 para. 2 lit. b GDPR, §§ 26 para. 3 BDSG, 164 SGB IX. In exceptional cases, it may be necessary to obtain information about your health or a disability or information from the Federal Central Criminal Register, i.e. about previous convictions, in order to assess your suitability for the intended job. The legal basis for this is § 26 BDSG.

The person responsible for the application procedure is the addressee of the application specified below in this call for applications.

As part of the application process within the Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research (LIR), your personal data will be passed on to Members of the selection committee, the personnel administration, the equal opportunities officer, the representative for severely disabled persons and, if applicable, the works council within the scope of their organizational or legal responsibilities.

Your personal data will be deleted no later than six months after completion of the selection process. According to the GDPR, you have the following rights vis-à-vis the addressee of the application if the relevant legal requirements are met: right of access (Art. 15 GDPR), right to rectification of inaccurate personal data (Art. 16 GDPR); data erasure (Art. 17 GDPR), restriction of processing (Art. 18 GDPR) and objection to processing (Art. 21 GDPR).

If you have any questions, you can contact the LIR data protection officer (datenschutzbeauftragte@lir-mainz.de). You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Rhineland-Palatinate Data Protection Officer.