The postdoctoral researcher will develop and apply advanced quantitative models to investigate the genetic influences underlying human growth and behaviour in infancy. A central component of the project is the meta-analysis of twin studies while explicitly modelling phenotypic heterogeneity. This work will be complemented by studies of genetic correlates of social behaviour from infancy onwards, proxying developmental change, and build directly on current work within the EAGLE consortium.
The project offers extensive opportunities to work with state-of-the-art quantitative methods in twin and genomics research. Relevant tools include OpenMx, metafor, lavaan, genomicSEM. For computationally versatile applicants there is an opportunity for R package building.
The successful applicant will work closely with Dr Beate St Pourcain as part of the Population Genetics of Human Communication group at the MPI for Psycholinguistics, and collaborate with Professor Conor Dolan and Professor Dorret Boomsma at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. The position provides excellent opportunities for international networking, interdisciplinary collaboration, and career development, including links to the Gene Amsterdam network.
Requirements
The successful applicant will hold, or expect to obtain shortly, a PhD in Statistical Genomics, Genetic Epidemiology, Medical Statistics, Bioinformatics, or a related quantitative discipline involving the analysis of omics or twin datasets.
Essential qualifications include
• A strong computational background, with experience in one or more programming languages (e.g. R, Python, Perl, or shell scripting)
• Knowledge of the genetic architecture underlying complex human phenotypes
Desirable experience includes
• Structural equation modelling (e.g. lavaan)
• Twin modelling approaches (e.g. OpenMx)
• Meta-analysis methods (e.g. metafor)
• Familiarity with neuroimaging phenotypes
What we offer you
- A full-time position (39 hours per week) with a fixed term of 3 years. The proposed starting date is 1 April 2026 although the start date is negotiable (until 15 June 2026).
- Salary according to the German TVöD (Tarifvertrag für den öffentlichen Dienst) in the salary group/level E13: depending on the experience of the applicant, starting from EUR 5.709,87 and EUR 7.025,87 gross per month, based on full time employment, excluding a 8% holiday bonus.
- Access to state-of-the art research and training facilities
- A generous conference and travel /workshop budget (Bench fees: EUR 5.000; Travel budget: EUR 2.870)
- 30 days annual leave (full-time employment) plus German and Dutch public holidays
- A nice team
Application procedure
Applications should include:
(i) a two-page statement of interest
(ii) a curriculum vitae
(iii) a list of publications
(iv) the names, email addresses and contact numbers of three referees
Please apply via this link on our recruitment portal.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis from 8 March 2026 until the position is filled.
For informal scientific enquiries, please get in touch with Beate St Pourcain (beate.stpourcain@mpi.nl). For general enquiries, please contact the secretariat at the Language & Genetics Department (E-mail: secretariat.genetics@mpi.nl).
The employer
About our institute
The Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics is a world-leading research institute devoted to interdisciplinary studies of the science of language and communication, including departments on genetics, psychology, development, neurobiology and multimodality of these fundamental human abilities.
We investigate how children and adults acquire their language(s), how speaking and listening happen in real time, how the brain processes language, how the human genome contributes to building a language-ready brain, how multiple modalities (as in speech, gesture and sign) shape language and its use in diverse languages and how language is related to cognition and culture, and shaped by evolution.
We are part of the Max Planck Society, an independent non-governmental association of German-funded research institutes dedicated to fundamental research in the natural sciences, life sciences, social sciences, and the humanities.
The Max Planck Society is an equal opportunities employer. We recognise the positive value of diversity and inclusion, promote equity and challenge discrimination. We aim to provide a working environment with room for differences, where everyone feels a sense of belonging. Therefore, we welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.
Our institute is situated on the campus of the Radboud University and has close collaborative links with the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour and the Centre for Language Studies at Radboud University. We also work closely with other child development researchers as part of the Baby & Child Research Center.
About the group
The population genetics of human communication group is led by Dr Beate St Pourcain and embedded within the Language & Genetics Department at the MPI. Research within the group focuses on (i) studying the genetic basis of social communication, language and interaction in population-based and clinical cohorts and (ii) developing statistical modelling approaches.