Researcher / PhD Position (m/f/d)

The Leibniz-Institut für Wissensmedien (IWM) conducts research into the acquisition and sharing of knowledge and cooperation with digital media. The institute is a member of the Leibniz Association (Leibniz Gemeinschaft) and committed to international standards of excellent science.

The IWM invites applications for the position of a

Researcher / PhD Position (m/f/d)

E13 TV-L | 75% | fixed term for three years, starting October 2026

in the DFG-funded project “Per:DIS – Perception of Disinformation” within the (HU 1510/10-1; part of SPP 2573 "Rethinking Disinformation"). The project investigates how the form and content of multimodal news videos shape belief formation, credibility judgments, and information sharing across different user groups, combining cognitive psychology with computational modeling in a collaboration with the Univ. of Marburg.

Your tasks:

• Design, implement, and evaluate preregistered experiments on how news video content shapes credibility judgments, belief formation, and sharing intentions
• Develop and validate a psychological trait battery capturing individual differences in analytic reasoning, metacognitive accuracy, and conspiracy mentality
• Conduct longitudinal studies on belief persistence and the effectiveness of debiasing interventions
• Collaborate closely with the computer science team at Marburg University

Your profile:

• University degree (i.e., Master’s) in psychology, cognitive science, or a related field
• Experience in experimental research and a strong interest in interdisciplinary work
• Solid methodological and statistical skills; familiarity with mixed-effects modelling is a plus
• Knowledge of signal detection theory or Bayesian methods is an advantage
• Excellent proficiency in English
• Programming expertise (e.g., R, Python) is a plus and will be highly valued

We offer:

• An exciting and varied field of research with creative freedom in an interdisciplinary and internationally oriented research institute located in central Tuebingen (Germany)
• A stimulating research environment and a cooperative and enthousiastic team
• Remuneration based on the collective agreement for the public service in the federal states of Germany, including the social benefits customary in public service
• Employment, remuneration (pay group 13 TV-L) and social benefits, including company pension scheme and 6 weeks annual leave, are based on the collective agreement for the public service in the federal states of Germany (TV-L)
• Reconciliation of work and family life, family-friendly working hours, cost subsidy for pre-school childcare
• Mobile working option (hybrid), subsidy towards the Deutschlandticket as a job ticket, occupational health management (OHM)