Department of Psychiatry Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt
Invites applications for a fully funded PhD position (3 years, TVH E13 65) in our innovative PSYCHGPT project, starting Q3 2025. The position is embedded in our comprehensive early career support program and is funded by the Reiss Foundation.
Project Description
The PSYCHGPT project (Psychiatric Symptom Characterization Using GPT Technology) explores how large language models (LLMs) can advance psychiatric research and clinical applications. It investigates whether GPTs can model cognitive-semantic disruptions in disorders like mania, depression, and schizophrenia by analyzing behavioral and fMRI data. Additionally, it aims to develop AI-driven tools for diagnosing and predicting treatment outcomes through automated analysis of therapy sessions. The project bridges neuroscience and artificial intelligence to uncover disorder-specific neural patterns and to pave the way for personalized digital psychiatry solutions. The interdisciplinary research includes:
* Naturalistic fMRI experiments (Speech)
* Computational modeling of brain-language alignment
* Clinical language data analysis
* AI-assisted psychiatry applications
Your Role
* Design and conduct fMRI experiments using naturalistic language stimuli
* Develop innovative brain-language model alignment analyses
* Implement computational methods for clinical language data
* Present findings at international conferences
* Publish in high-impact journals
* Collaborate with clinical researchers and AI experts
Our Structured Early Career Support
As part of our commitment to researcher development, benefits include:
* Enrollment in the GRADE Brain Neuroscience PhD program (degree: PhD Neuroscience)
* Participation in the LOEWE DYNAMIC curriculum in Computational & Digital Mental Health
* Annual career development planning
* Presentation training and grant writing workshops
* Optional clinical shadowing opportunities
Qualifications
* Excellent master's degree in Neuroscience, Cognitive Science, Linguistics, Psychology, Computer Science, or a related field
* Good programming and data analysis skills (basic knowledge of Python essential; experience with NLP/ML is a plus)
* Keen interest in computational psychiatry research
* Experience with neuroimaging analysis (preferred but not required)
* Fluent English; German beneficial for clinical interactions
* Valid proof of measles immunity/vaccination (due to legal regulations)
Additional Benefits
* Collective agreement TV-UKF
* 30 days holiday, 38.5 hours/week, annual bonus, company pension scheme
* Free Hessen State Ticket
* Work-life balance, health promotion, childcare facilities
* Information via Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn
Application Details
Women are underrepresented in these positions at the University Hospital Frankfurt; applications from women are especially encouraged. Disabled applicants with equal qualifications are preferred.
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