Technical Research Assistant | Emmy Noether Group RAVEN

Job Offer valid until June 7, 2026

The Emmy Noether RAVEN group at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Berlin, a scientific institute of international orientation, is looking for applications for a temporary position as a: Technical Research Assistant (E 9b TVöD; initially 3 months 75%, following 6 months 50% of full-time hours).

This position is limited until 30 June 2027 and is designed to support a third-party funded project during its early phase of data collection.

The position will be filled at 75% (29.25 hours/week) from 1 October 2026 to 31 December 2026, and at 50% (19.5 hours/week) from 1 January 2027 onwards.

Your Profile

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, cognitive neuroscience or related fields
• Work experience in research and project management in Psychology with focus on memory research or developmental psychology
• Strong experience in collecting neuroimaging data, preferably with young children
• Exceptionally strong organizational skills and professional communication with colleagues and potential participants
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and task programming languages including R, Matlab, and Python
• Highly motivated, reliable and responsible person with very good English and native-level German skills

Your tasks will include

• Assisting with the coordination of large-scale experimental studies with child participants from ages 4 to 10
• Managing communication with study participants and their families (scheduling, consent forms, etc.)
• Providing technical support for task programming and experimental setup
• Conducting behavioral and functional MRI experimental sessions with children aged 4 to 10
• Independent creation of reports and presentations for the project
• Leading the administrative and project management tasks

Our Offer

This nine-month position is available from October 1st, 2026. The Max Planck Institute for Human Development (www.mpib-berlin.mpg.de) offers an excellent research infrastructure, including support staff and equipment. It provides an international research environment, with English as the working language. The Emmy Noether RAVEN group fosters a collaborative and inclusive work environment both within the group and in international collaborations. The following benefits are also available:

• Opportunity to gain valuable research experience in developmental cognitive neuroscience
• Collaborate in a dynamic and international team
• Insights into the conceptual developmental and practical implementation of developmental psychology research
• Access to the training programs offered by the Planck Academy of the MPG
• Flexible working hours
• Option of mobile working (up to 40%, depending on work processes)
• Annual bonus payment in accordance with the TVöD (German public sector pay scale); 30 days of vacation, plus December 24 and 31 off
• Kindergarten partnerships with dedicated places
• Parent-child rooms at the institute
• Excellent public transport connections (U3 Breitenbachplatz, barrier-free)
• Job ticket
• Institute canteen and biodiverse institute garden
• Various offers related to “health in the workplace” (e.g., fitness room, massage services, yoga)
• Extensive support services, e.g., International Office, representative for disabled employees, equal opportunities officer, mental health support
• Diversity-sensitive working environment (e.g., exchange formats, networking, barrier-free and gender-neutral toilets)

Diversity and Equity

The Max Planck Society strives for gender equality and diversity, because diversity, equality, and inclusion enrich our community and promote scientific excellence. We have therefore set ourselves the goal of increasing the proportion of women in areas where they are underrepresented and employing more people with severe disabilities. With this in mind, we expressly welcome applications from people who are often underrepresented in the workplace due to characteristics such as gender identity, disability, religion, ethnicity, and age. Our website gives you an impression of how we understand and live diversity and what opportunities we offer to respond to your individual needs:

www.mpib-berlin.mpg.de/diversitaet

Your Application

Please send your application, without a photo, as one single PDF to raven@mpib-berlin.mpg.de by June 7th 2026.