Faculty of Psychology

Laura König

Research Focus 

The Health Psychology Group works at the interface of psychology, public health and medicine, aiming to promote healthy lifestyles at the population level. We combine assessments of psychological determinants and outcomes obtained in real life (e.g., via Ecological Momentary Assessment) with behaviours related to and biomarkers of health and disease. We primarily focus on the prevention of weight-related diseases and experiences across the menstrual cycle. Amongst others, we are interested in understanding how to best leverage digital technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), for measuring and changing dietary and physical activity behaviours. In this area, current projects focus on understanding the (perceived) quality of AI-generated health and nutrition advice; empirically optimising the implementation of behaviour change techniques such as self-monitoring and feedback in digital interventions; and personalisation of digital dietary interventions using AI. 

Research environment 

We offer a supportive, collaborative environment and a strong network of local, national and international collaborators within psychology, but also within neighbouring disciplines including public health and nutritional science, computer science, media studies and communication science. Our network of active collaborations spans several European countries, including Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, as well as the United States. We offer access to state-of-the-art tracking tools for physical activity and physiological parameters via the institute’s Ecological Momentary Assessment lab as well as access to lab space for behavioural experiments. We furthermore offer collaboration opportunities within several interdisciplinary projects in the areas of personalised nutrition, AI, and misinformation research that will start in early 2026. 

Expectations towards postdoctoral fellows in this programme

Our team places strong emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion as well as open science practices, and we expect new team members to also subscribe to these values and foundational principles for working. We welcome candidates of any academic background who are keen to collaborate in international interdisciplinary teams and have a good understanding of the potentials and pitfalls of digital health technology. We are looking for candidates with strong quantitative research skills, including the proven ability to use script-based data analysis environments such as R to set up complex data preprocessing and analysis pipelines. We furthermore expect strong communication skills in academic contexts; training or experience in communicating with lay audiences or relevant non-academic stakeholders is a plus. 

Possible research themes or topics for postdoctoral projects 

We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to support ongoing and to develop new projects in one of the following two areas: 

1. personalisation of digital dietary interventions using AI;
2. understanding the quality, appeal and spread of online health- and nutrition-related mis- and disinformation. 

Weblink for further information: 
https://gesundheit-psy.univie.ac.at/

Email:  laura.koenig(at)univie.ac.at

APPLY HERE
 

Urs M. Nater

Research Focus 

Stress affects many areas of life—including mood and sexuality. Sex hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, also impact how we experience stress. Within our research focus, “Stress, Sex & Hormones,” we examine the interactions between stress and hormonal changes across the reproductive female life course, as well as how stress shapes sexual experience and behavior. In our research, we adopt an innovative "from lab to life" approach to investigating stress. We employ Ecological Momentary Assessments (EMAs) in participants' everyday lives, as well as laboratory-based stress tests. 

This comprehensive methodology allows us to capture real-time data on stress responses and experiences, providing valuable insights into the dynamic interplay between stress, sex, and hormones. By bridging the gap between controlled laboratory settings and real-world contexts, we aim to advance our understanding of stress in the context of female reproductive health.

Research environment 

The potential post-doc will have full access to a state-of-the-art biochemical lab, which enables us to run our own hormonal analyses (https://klinische-gesundheit-psy.univie.ac.at/en/research/biochemical-laboratory/). Access to lab space for running experimental studies as well as EMA studies, including the use of appropriate equipment, is guaranteed.
 

Expectations towards postdoctoral fellows in this programme

The postdoctoral fellow will dedicate their time with a specific focus on endocrine female reproductive health. It is possible to engage in ongoing studies as well as to develop new studies. The fellow is expected to write papers, analyze existing and new data, and represent the lab at scientific meetings. 
 

Possible research themes or topics for postdoctoral projects 

will be developed with the fellow

Weblink for further information: 
https://klinische-gesundheit-psy.univie.ac.at/en/research/httpsbackendunivieacatindexphpid46751l0/stress-and-stress-related-disorders/our-research/stress-and-sexuality/ 

Email:  urs.nater(at)univie.ac.at

APPLY HERE
 

Giorgia Silani 

Research Focus 

The primary aim of my research is to understand from a neuroscientific point of view the mechanisms (neurochemical and neurophysiological) behind processes at the heart of what has been termed “social intelligence”, such as empathy and prosocial behaviors, in the clinical and non-clinical population. This goal is achieved by using multi-level approach that combines different methodologies: functional neuroimaging, TMS, EMG and pharmacological manipulations. 

Main research lines: 

1. Basic research: focus on the understanding of the fundamental mechanisms behind social cognition, social emotions and their link to social behaviors.
2. Clinical research: focus on the understanding of atypical social behavior (e.g. autism and alexithymia).
3. Developmental research: focus on the understanding of the development of social emotions, social intelligence and prosociality across the life span.
4. Translational research: focus on bridging different theoretical and methodological approaches such as animal and human models of social behavior. 

Research environment 

The Clinical Social Neuroscience (CSN) Unit at the University of Vienna, is run by a vibrant and internationally oriented team, under the supervision of Giorgia Silani, dedicated to understanding the neural and psychological mechanisms underlying social cognition, empathy, and prosocial behaviour. The Lab counts young and senior researchers (from PhD to postdoc level) from all over the world (eg China, Serbia, Germany, Italy). It offers access to advanced research infrastructure, including EEG, fMRI, TMS, pharmacological tools, and eye-tracking, as well as participant recruitment systems and data resources. Situated within a highly interdisciplinary environment that bridges psychology, neuroscience, and clinical science, the CSN provides rich opportunities for collaboration, mentoring, and professional growth. Postdoctoral researchers are encouraged to develop independent projects that complement the lab’s focus while benefiting from its strong methodological expertise, active publication culture, and supportive academic network. 

Expectations towards postdoctoral fellows in this programme

Postdoctoral fellows are expected to contribute actively to the group’s dynamic and collaborative research culture. We seek independent, motivated researchers with strong methodological and analytical skills who are eager to advance our understanding of the neural and psychological mechanisms underlying social cognition, empathy, and prosocial behaviour. Postdocs are expected to design and lead their own research projects that align with and extend the lab’s focus, making creative use of the unit’s infrastructure—including EEG, fMRI, TMS, and behavioural paradigms. They should take an active role in publishing high-quality scientific papers, presenting at international conferences, and applying for competitive research funding. Collaboration is central to our approach, and postdocs are encouraged to engage with other team members, contribute to joint projects, and share their expertise to support the training of PhD and master’s students. Beyond scientific excellence, we value curiosity, openness to interdisciplinary perspectives, and a commitment to fostering an inclusive, collegial, and intellectually stimulating research environment. 

Possible research themes or topics for postdoctoral projects 

• The neural circuitry of social homeostasis in humans (from social isolation to social overload)
• The neurodivergent brain: myths and challenges
• The role of cognitive and neural diversity in collective behavior
• New ways to do science

Weblink for further information: 
https://klinische-gesundheit-psy.univie.ac.at/forschung/arbeitsbereiche-und-arbeitsgruppen/clinical-social-neuroscience-unit/ 

Email:  giorgia.silani(at)univie.ac.at  

APPLY HERE
 

Isabella Anderson-Wagner

Research Focus 

We are an interdisciplinary research group based at the Faculty of Psychology and the Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science (CeMESS). We study the microbiome-brain axis in relation to neural plasticity, learning, and memory by integrating neuroimaging, gut microbial profiling, and behavioural assessments. Our work spans healthy humans, individuals with reduced plasticity (e.g., stress, genetic risk for dementia, perturbed neurodevelopment), and animal models. We showed that gut microbial networks relate to brain network dynamics and that their metabolic capacities shape stress hormone regulation. Ongoing projects include the world’s largest cohort of young APOE4 carriers to study effects of early dementia risk on microbiome and cognition. Supported by an ERC Starting Grant, we now focus on the microbial effects on (human) hippocampal plasticity, and on the impact of microbial neurotransmitter production (e.g., GABA) on (mouse) hippocampal circuits and behaviour. 

Research environment 

Postdocs join a culturally diverse team of cognitive neuroscientists, neuroimaging experts, neuro/immuno/microbiologists, and bioinformaticians. The vibrant mix of human/animal researchers creates a stimulating environment in which we value collaboration and personal growth in a respectful atmosphere. Infrastructure is shared with colleagues at Psychology/CeMESS, including research-dedicated 3T fMRI, behavioural labs for cognitive testing (incl. spatial navigation in VR), psychopharmacology/neuroendocrinology, computational resources for advanced neuro/bioinformatics, in-house core facility for microbiome analysis, and access to all research facilities at CeMESS (incl. wet labs and microscopy). Analysis of other biosamples, practical mouse work, and preclinical/small-animal imaging are possible via external collaborations. With a dual affiliation, candidates benefit from a broad interdisciplinary network within and beyond the University of Vienna. 

Expectations towards postdoctoral fellows in this programme

We seek a candidate with a background in microbiology and bioinformatics, ideally with experience in human-based research (cognitive testing, fMRI). A background in pre/probiotic/dietary interventions and excellent knowledge of experimental design are highly desired, and the candidate should have a strong interest in neuroscience, microbial networks and metabolic outputs. The candidate should support our research line on microbiome-brain interactions for hippocampal plasticity, while developing independent ideas that align with the group’s expertise (potentially also leading towards translational projects). Strong project management, independence, and excellent English are required; German skills are advantageous for human participant work. Supervision of 1-2 PhD candidates is expected. Over the 4 years, the candidate should strengthen their research profile and is encouraged to secure grants under the mentorship of PI Isabella Wagner. Both junior/senior postdocs are invited to apply. 

Possible research themes or topics for postdoctoral projects 

The candidate should support our research on microbiome-brain interactions for (human) neural plasticity, learning, and memory. Candidates should have a strong interest in neuroscience, microbial networks and their metabolic outputs. Research themes may include pre/probiotic/dietary interventions in individuals with reduced neural plasticity (genetic risk for dementia, older adults, different clinical populations), or studies on microbial metabolite/neurotransmitter production and hippocampus-related (neuro)cognition. We are also very interested in studying the temporal dynamics of microbial networks and their effects on the host. Projects do not need to involve neuroimaging (fMRI) but may also be purely behavioural, using paradigms related to hippocampal plasticity. The position also offers a high degree of autonomy and flexibility to pursue independent research ideas that may arise from the above topics, and that are connected to the group’s research interests and expertise. 

Weblink for further information: 
https://www.isabellawagner.com

Email:  isabella.wagner(at)univie.ac.at

APPLY HERE
 

Claus Lamm

Research Focus 

Research at the SCAN-Unit explores how humans and non-human animals navigate complex social worlds. While the focus has been on human empathy and understanding others for many years, recent years have expanded to research lines that focus more broadly on (pro)social behaviors and their drivers, including sustainable decision making and behavior, as well as comparative approaches including canines, corvids, and other primates as model species.

Complex topics such as how we understand others, what compels us to help and support them, and how our brains and minds support the complex social skills we have evolved can only be understood across multiple levels of analysis. This is why our research is guided by a multi-level multi-methods approach. We aim for converging evidence and the integration of knowledge, theory and methods from social, cognitive and emotion psychology, social cognitive and affective neuroscience, computational approaches, psychopharmacology, psychoneuroendocrinology, and social and behavioral sciences. For further information on our research lines, please consult https://scan-psy.univie.ac.at/research/ 

Research environment 

Our prime mission is to perform and disseminate high quality, rigorous and systematic scientific research. Research, training and interactions of all lab members are guided by a collaborative and mutually supportive mindset. We do not just study social phenomena, but explicitly aim to create an environment where meaningful and fulfilling social interactions and collaborative work can emerge and flourish. Our mindset is growth-oriented: Rome wasn’t built in one day, and so won’t the individual academic be. Trying to understand the human social brain and behavior is probably one of the biggest challenges one can engage in. The personal and professional growth this requires may thus also come with some pains and setbacks, and we accept that science and research can sometimes be hard, frustrating and deluding. But we generally see it as fulfilling, as we are in academia to pursue a passion we share. The privilege that this entails also comes with some responsibilities. For further details, including our Open Science statement, please consult our lab mission at https://scan-psy.univie.ac.at/research/lab-mission/ For information on research infrastructure, please consult https://psychologie.univie.ac.at/en/research/labs/ and in particular https://psychologie.univie.ac.at/en/research/labs/mr-center/

Expectations towards postdoctoral fellows in this programme

Our lab culture builds on the strong conviction that kind, collaborative, and talented persons (in that order, roughly) and an enriching culture produce excellent science, a vibrant educational environment, and a socially and personally fulfilling working atmosphere. This is why we strive at recruiting, selecting, and supporting people who are not only highly talented, but who are also eager to grow and love to support others, and whose expertise and skills complement each other. This is why we are also committed to diversity, inclusivity, and mutual respect. We do so by accepting that others may have different views and perspectives, academically and personally. Advancing insight and knowledge needs collaboration and cross-pollination of ideas, approaches, and concepts. We are part of an evolving collective enterprise, and we need to treat each other with respect, compassion and curiosity if we want to make a difference. In terms of academic backgrounds, we recruit from a wide range of fields, ranging from psychological science to (cognitive) biology, computer and computational science, to cognitive science. Our aim is to mentor and prepare postdoctoral fellows to become competitive for their next career step, which can be a second postdoc or a faculty position, or a position in the private sector. 

Possible research themes or topics for postdoctoral projects 

Candidates are expected to co-develop their own research line with their mentor (lab head Claus Lamm) and collaborators from the lab and beyond. Research themes should align with one of the main research lines of the lab (https://scan-psy.univie.ac.at/research/) with preference given to candidates with a keen interest in environmental social neuroscience and related research approaches. 

Weblink for further information: 
https://scan-psy.univie.ac.at/

Email:  claus.lamm(at)univie.ac.at

APPLY HERE
 

Frank Scharnowski

Research Focus 

Our research focuses on developing translational neurotechnology and computational methods to advance diagnosis and treatment in psychiatry and neurology. We work at the interface of biosignal processing, brain-computer interfaces, machine learning, and computational psychiatry. Current projects include closed-loop neurofeedback, interpretable machine learning for clinical decision support systems, computational automation of therapy using physiological and behavioral signals, and natural language processing applied to psychiatric conditions. The overarching aim is to create scalable, data-driven therapeutic tools and mechanistic models of mental health processes.  

Research environment 

The interdisciplinary research group Methods of Psychology (https://meth-psy.univie.ac.at/) is part of the Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology at the University of Vienna. The team includes senior scientists, postdoctoral researchers, and PhD students from psychology, cognitive science, neuroscience, computer science, engineering, and physics. We focus on developing neurotechnologies and AI-based methods to understand psychological mechanisms and advance experimental therapies for psychiatric and neurological disorders. The lab provides access to neuroimaging and neurofeedback setups, VR/AR-based behavioral platforms, and real-time multimodal physiological measurement systems. High-performance computing resources support machine learning and computational modeling. We are open science enthusiasts embedded in an international research network that includes clinical and industrial partners.  

Expectations towards postdoctoral fellows in this programme

We welcome postdoctoral researchers who share our passion for developing innovative computational and neurotechnological tools for mental health. You should enjoy working across psychology, neuroscience, engineering, and computation, and bring new ideas to the group. Relevant experience may include interpretable machine learning, NLP/LLMs on clinical language, neurofeedback or brain-computer interfaces, and VR/AR-based personalized therapy systems. Curiosity, methodological precision, and a collaborative mindset are essential. We value open science and expect active contributions to transparent workflows. A core aim of our lab is to support you in developing your own independent research profile within this interdisciplinary environment. 

Weblink for further information: 
https://meth-psy.univie.ac.at/

Email:  frank.scharnowski(at)univie.ac.at

APPLY HERE
 

Stefanie Höhl 

Research Focus 

My research lies at the intersection of developmental psychology and cognitive neuroscience and focuses on social and cognitive development in early childhood. Using neuroscience methods
in infants and children, my team and I investigate the development and functional relevance of brain oscillations in early human development. Our aim is to understand the brain basis of naturalistic social learning interactions. Using hyperscanning in caregiver-child dyads, we discovered that interpersonal synchronization of brain activities emerges spontaneously and remarkably early in caregiver-child interactions. Current projects focus on the role of interpersonal neural synchrony for children’s social well-being and language development.  

Research environment 

The Wiener Kinderstudien is an internationally visible lab, known for its cutting-edge developmental research and scientific rigor. Our lab culture is characterized by fairness, mutual appreciation and respect. The lab is equipped with recording devices for multimodal data collection from infants, children and their caregivers, including EEG and fNIRS-hyperscanning, eye tracking, behavioral observation and physiological measures (https://psychologie.univie.ac.at/en/research/labs/wieki-lab-wiener-kinderstudien/). In addition, the postdoc will have access to an established and constantly expanding database of families interested in participating in infant and child studies which currently includes around 4,500 families. The postdoc will benefit from the excellent infrastructure, state-of-the-art laboratories and equipment, and a vibrant scientific environment with a wide range of local, national and international collaborations.  

Expectations towards postdoctoral fellows in this programme

Postdocs should have a strong methodological skill set and interest in developmental research. Experience in working with developmental populations is welcome but not strictly required. Postdocs should have a cooperative mindset and be interested in co-supervising students. They are expected to work independently and proactively develop their research program while collaborating with other team members and contributing to the lab’s goals and topics. 

Possible research themes or topics for postdoctoral projects 

Possible research topics include, but are not limited to:

• early speech tracking and later language outcomes
• parent-child neural synchrony, social well-being and peer relationships
• selective entrainment, attention and cognitive development 

Weblink for further information: 
https://www.kinderstudien.at/ueber-uns/das-team/stefanie-hoehl/

Email: stefanie.hoehl(at)univie.ac.at

APPLY HERE
 

Marko Lüftenegger 

Research Focus 

My main research focus is (a) to identify malleable characteristics in educational settings, i.e., concrete teacher behaviors, teacher attributes, and classroom climate, as these contribute to beneficial development of motivational, cognitive, and socio-emotional student outcomes with a special focus on diversity (STEM, gender, ability, achievement, migration background). (b) I exploit and advance cutting-edge statistical methodologies to address important substantive questions, and (c) typically use multiple methods (questionnaires, interviews, focus groups, portfolios), multiple informants (students, teachers, parents), and different research designs. (d) Additionally, I aim to focus on the development and evaluation of training and intervention programs in different educational contexts (STEM, gender equality, traffic safety, students in the transition to University, “Induktionsphase” in teacher education). (e) Another line of research focuses on identity development in adolescence. 

Research environment 

Our research group offers a dynamic, collaborative environment that supports independent and interdisciplinary work. Postdoctoral researchers gain full access to modern laboratory facilities from the Faculty of Psychology. We work with diverse, mostly quantitative, data sources and maintain strong connections with international collaborators, and cross-faculty networks. Regular workgroup meetings, peer-feedback sessions, and joint publications foster a supportive academic culture. The group values open science, methodological rigor, and teamwork, providing an excellent setting for developing one’s research profile. 

Expectations towards postdoctoral fellows in this programme

I expect a postdoctoral researcher to contribute actively to my group’s scientific agenda by advancing independent research while engaging in collaborative projects. The person should take initiative in developing publications for top tier journals, presenting findings at conferences, and contributing to grant applications. A commitment to methodological rigor, open science, and timely delivery is essential. I value researchers who enrich the group’s intellectual environment through constructive feedback and mentoring of junior colleagues. The ideal candidate is proactive, communicative, and eager to shape a vibrant, productive research culture. 
 

Weblink for further information: 
https://homepage.univie.ac.at/marko.lueftenegger/publikationen.html

Email:  marko.lueftenegger(at)univie.ac.at

APPLY HERE
 

Jana Nikitin 

Research Focus 

Our research focuses on aging in context, with a particular emphasis on social and environmental contexts. We investigate how healthy aging processes unfold naturally in everyday life and in how they can be shaped in a positive way. We understand older adults as active agents of their own development who are simultaneously influenced by, and influencing, their social and environmental surroundings. Current research topics in our group include contextual factors of age-related gains and losses, age stereotypes and subjective views on aging and their consequences for everyday social life, as well as how people deal with life transitions in later adulthood. Methodologically, we use experience sampling to study people’s everyday behavior in situ, complemented by observational studies and experiments. 

Research environment 

We are an internationally connected and interdisciplinary team, with close ties to social, health, and environmental psychology and to collaborators in gerontology and environmental sciences. Within the group, we work closely together on joint projects while each person develops their own research focus. Regular meetings and intensive exchange are central to our lab culture: we meet weekly as a group, and we place great value on regular one-on-one supervision and feedback. Fairness, openness, and a supportive, collaborative atmosphere are very important to us. 

Expectations towards postdoctoral fellows in this programme

Postdocs in our group should have a strong methodological background (e.g., longitudinal, experimental, ESM/diary designs) and solid quantitative skills, as well as a clear interest in the psychology of aging. We expect postdocs to develop an independent research profile that is closely aligned with the group’s topics, to collaborate actively within the team, and to contribute to the lab’s projects. This includes planning and conducting studies (including recruitment and data collection), publishing in international journals, presenting at conferences, applying for third-party funding (e.g., smaller grants or co-applications on larger projects), and supervising students. Because we are a small, closely collaborating team, a cooperative mindset, reliability, and genuine interest in contributing to the group beyond one’s own project are essential. 

Possible research themes or topics for postdoctoral projects 

Possible postdoctoral projects in our group could build on and extend our ongoing work and may include, but are not limited to:

• Loneliness and quality of life in later life
• Death anxiety or end-of-life concerns in older adulthood
• Adaptation and action in climate change
• Psychological factors of menopause
• Daily predictors of views of aging

More information on our lab and current projects:
https://altern-psy.univie.ac.at

Weblink for further information: 
https://altern-psy.univie.ac.at/en/

Email:  jana.nikitin(at)univie.ac.at

APPLY HERE