PhD Student (m/f/d) Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy

The IRTG 2773, the International Research Training Group “Risks and Pathomechanisms of Affective Disorders” between the TU Dresden and King's College London, offers a position as

PhD student (f/m/d)

The position (75%, E13 according to the Collective Agreement for the Public Service of the States (TV-L)) is available from 15 May 2026 and initially limited until 31.12.2026 (with an extension for an additional 12 or 27 months, subject to the approval of funding).

The IRTG 2773 is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and is a structured International Graduate Programme established between the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden and the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology (IoPPN) King's College London. It investigates risk factors and pathomechanisms of affective disorders to improve prevention, early detection and treatment.

Within the unique environment of the transcampus®, young scientists are trained in the field of translational research on affective disorders, have access to an outstanding scientific infrastructure and will work in an interdisciplinary and international environment.

The successful candidate will work on the project “Changes of Social Environment During Major Life Transitions and Early Stages of Affective Disorders” under the supervision of Prof. Julia Martini and Prof. Andrea Pfennig at TU Dresden, in close collaboration with Prof. Paola Dazzan and Prof. Paolo Fusar-Poli at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London.

The project aims to investigate changes in social environments across major life transitions (e.g. the peripartum period) and during early stages of affective disorders, with a particular focus on the role of key relational figures - including family members, partners and friends - as well as systemic family dynamics. By applying innovative methodological approaches within longitudinal study designs, the project investigates how these factors may stabilize mental health or contribute to the onset and progression of affective disorders.

• Taking responsibility for the above-mentioned research project
• Study coordination, data collection, and statistical analysis
• Preparation and publication of scientific manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals
• Active participation in the IRTG curriculum and associated training activities
• Supervision of student assistants

• University degree (Master's or Diploma) in Psychology, Psychotherapy or related disciplines
• Previous knowledge and experience in psychological assessment, including participant recruiting and coordination
• Experience in systemic constellation work (e.g. family constellations)
• Sound knowledge in statistics (e.g. SPSS, STATA) and clinical diagnostics
• Excellent communication, organizational and teamwork skills
• Temporal flexibility and a professional, sensitive approach when working with study participants
• Excellent written and spoken language skills in English (C1) and German skills at least at A2 level
• Strong interest in trajectories of affective disorders across critical life and developmental transitions

• Working in a highly interdisciplinary and supportive research team
• A well-structured curriculum covering epidemiology, clinical psychology and psychiatry, as well as transferable skills
• Close collaboration with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, including a 6 months exchange
• Flexible working hours to support healthy work-life balance

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