Heinrich Heine University Fully Funded PhD Position in Medicine, Biology, Neuroscience 2027

The Hector Fellow Academy offers you the opportunity to realize a self-developed research project under supervision Prof. Katrin Amunts. She is one of the Hector Fellows, a community of outstanding professors from different research institutions across Germany working in STEM-subjects, medicine, and psychology. 

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Interview Process
• Application Documents
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineOctober 15, 2026
• Study LevelPhD
• SponsorHeinrich-Heine-University of Dusseldorf
• City to studyNorth Rhine-Westphalia
• School to studyHeinrich-Heine-University of Dusseldorf
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

• Opportunity to realize a research project with high visibility
• Be part of a strong interdisciplinary project with computer scientists, biologists and physicians
• Mentored by an internationally renowned, top-level scientist
• Funded position (according to TV-L 13, up to 100%, based on the funding rates of the DFG for PhD students)
• Extensive research funding
• Membership in an excellent research network
• Additional management courses, trainings & networking events

Requirements

• You are enthusiastic about investigating and mapping the human brain, and you want to work at the intersection of neuroscience and artificial intelligence.
• Your goal will be to achieve full-coverage cytoarchitectonic mapping across all brains underlying the Julich-Brain Atlas by adapting and scaling AI foundation model methods developed at the INM-1. To do so, you will first build profound neuroanatomical knowledge of cytoarchitectonic patterns, and then use this expertise to adapt and optimize AI methods — including scalable techniques to validate the automatically derived areas.
• You are open-minded about new methods, such as deep learning and foundation models, and would like to incorporate them into your research project. The ultimate aim is to create full-coverage cytoarchitectonic maps of the human brain and share them as FAIR data with the scientific community.
• You have a Master's degree in a scientific or engineering subject, ideally with prior experience in neuroscience, artificial intelligence, or both, and achieved excellent grades.

Selection Process

• The Hector Fellows will arrange interviews (via skype or if feasible in-person) with the most promising applicants.
• The final candidates will be invited to give an online presentation.
• The final decisions will be announced in the following days after the presentation. 

Application Documents

• Letter of motivation
• CV
• Certificates, diplomas
• Transcripts
• Research proposal
• References

Check also:
2026 Fully Funded Humboldt Research Fellowship
2026 Eutopia PhD Co-tutelle Call

Application Deadline

How To Apply

• Please apply via the HFA application portal. 

For more information, kindly visit the HHU webpage.