Postdoc - Translational Addiction Research (m/f/d)

The Central Institute for Mental Health stands for internationally outstanding research and groundbreaking treatment concepts in psychiatry and psychotherapy, child and youth psychiatry, psychosomatics and addiction medicine. For a research project on opioid dependence funded by the DFG, we are looking for a postdoctoral candidate (m/w/d) from 15.10.2026.

The aim of the project is to investigate the effects of long-term heroin use on brain function, hormone levels and behaviour in people with opioid dependence. The study is conducted in cooperation with the University of Cambridge (UK) and is located at the Clinic for Dependent Behavior and Search Medicine of the Central Institute for Mental Health (ZI) in Mannheim.

Share of jobs: 100 % The place is initially limited to 36 months with option for further employment.

Recruitment of patients with opioid dependence and healthy controls Conducting daily research activities, including telephone and personal screening, neurocognitive testing and psychiatric diagnostics Coordination and communication between clinical care and research facilities to ensure a smooth project flow Support in the implementation of MRT investigations Data processing, data cleaning and quality assurance Statistical analysis of behaviour, cognitive and MRI data Compilation of Scientific Publications Research stays at the University of Cambridge (UK)

PhD in Psychology, Neuroscience or a related subject Previous research experience in relevant scientific projects Very good knowledge of statistical data analysis as well as a thorough understanding of experimental psychology and cognitive neuroscience Very good German knowledge in word and writing as well as fluent English knowledge in word and writing Experience in the collection and evaluation of neuroimaging data Strong interest in clinical research and sound knowledge of research methods and advanced statistics Programming skills in MATLAB, Unix, Python and/or R Embossed planning, organizational and team skills, high care, very good time management and the ability to work both independently and in the team Experience in working with adult people with mental illnesses Experience in recruiting students or students Patients with mental illnesses for research studies Detection of a publication performance, ideally with initial authorizations

A versatile, demanding task in an exciting research project A collegial environment that supports self-initiative and new ideas Internal and external training opportunities Family-friendly working time arrangements and parttime jobs Beneficiary Job Ticket as Germany Ticket Good accessibility and central location in the heart of Mannheim Operational health promotion with special conditions for sports activities Corporate Benefits and other local benefits Remuneration according to TV-L and additional pension provision (VBL), remuneration group E13. The assignment to stages 1-6 is dependent on the personal requirements