The German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke (DIfE) is a member of the Leibniz Association. The institute’s mission is to conduct experimental and clinical research in the field of nutrition and health, with the aim of understanding the molecular basis of nutrition-dependent diseases, and of developing new strategies for treatment and prevention.
The Junior Research Group of Gut-Brain Interactions (GBI) invites applications for
1 student research assistant (m/f/d)
We are looking to fill this position as soon as possible, initially limited until September 30, 2026.
Within the Gut-Brain Interactions Lab, we investigate how signals from the gut influence brain activity, cognition and mental health. Although neuroscience has traditionally focused on the brain in isolation, growing evidence shows that physiological signals from the body, particularly the gut, play a central role in shaping arousal, mood, and behavior. Our research aims to understand how stomach activity, metabolic state, and gut hormones interact with neural systems that support attention, emotion, and thought. The lab is part of a European Research Council (ERC)-funded project combining neuroimaging, physiology, and hormonal measurements in humans.
Tasks:
1. Assisting with human neuroscience experiments (participant preparation, coordination, and data collection)
2. Supporting blood sample collection and processing and handling of biological samples
3. Preparing and organizing laboratory materials and consumables
4. Assisting with physiological recordings (e.g. EEG, electrogastrography) and MRI sessions
5. Supporting lab coordination tasks, including scheduling participants and organizing experimental sessions
6. Assisting with data organization and basic preprocessing
Your profile:
7. You are a current student of biology, psychology, nutrition, bioinformatics, medicine
8. Interest in human physiology, neuroscience or biomedical research
9. Experience with laboratory work, biological samples or human experiments is highly desirable
10. Good German language skills for participant interaction and English proficiency for communication within the lab
11. You are reliable, organized, proactive and enjoy working as part of a team
12. You are comfortable working with participants and handling biological samples
13. Basic programming skills (e.g. MATLAB or Python) are a plus, but not required
14. You have no second paid employment
We offer:
15. Working as part of an international team
16. Highly interdisciplinary and exciting research work in a dynamic and highly topical research field
17. Hands-on experience in conducting scientific research
18. Getting an insight into relevant scientific methods
19. Working in an English-speaking environment
20. Potential for flexible work schedules, including remote options
Depending on the weekly working time (preferably 10 hours per week), the employment is either a marginal contract (EUR 603 per month) or a „sliding scale“-contract. We offer an hourly rate of EUR 15,20 for undergraduate students studying for a Bachelor degree and EUR 15,81 for Master’s students.
We promote the employment of people with severe disabilities and are committed to equal opportunities for them. Applicants with severe disabilities will be given preferential consideration if they have the same qualifications.
Contact
Please send your detailed application (short letter of motivation, CV, certificates and confirmation of current enrolment in a course of study) until 22.05.2026 via E-Mail to jobs@dife.de.