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Doctoral Researcher / Väitöskirjatutkija (PSYMORY – Understanding the Effects of Psychedelics on Autobiographical Memory)

Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences create a unique environment for multidisciplinary, inspirational, and high-impact research and education. Our universities’ community has its competitive edges in technology, health, and society. www.tuni.fi/en

The Faculty of Social Sciences at Tampere University invites applications for the position of 

Doctoral Researcher in the Doctoral Programme in Psychology and Logopedics for a fixed-term period of 4 years starting in September 2026 (or as agreed). 

The position is open within the discipline of psychology in the research project PSYMORY – Understanding the Effects of Psychedelics on Autobiographical Memory (PI Samuli Kangaslampi), funded by the Research Council of Finland. The project offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the emerging science of psychedelics in an inspiring, highly internationally connected working environment, with excellent opportunities for the researcher to develop their skills and career.

PSYMORY – Understanding the Effects of Psychedelics on Autobiographical Memory seeks to uncover the effects of psychedelics on memory, especially whether they enhance or distort recall of past life events. It includes controlled human trials in collaboration with Maastricht University in the Netherlands, laboratory research at Tampere University with individuals taking psychedelics on their own in different contexts, and research based on surveys and existing reports on memory experiences under psychedelics. The findings are consolidated into a comprehensive model of how psychedelics affect autobiographical memory and guidelines for considering such effects in their therapeutic use and harm reduction. The project involves collaboration with Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology of Maastricht University and the Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research of Johns Hopkins University.

Position

We seek an outstanding doctoral researcher with a passion for advancing careful scientific research into the cognitive and subjective effects of psychedelics, ready to commit themselves to this endeavor in Tampere, Finland, for the next four years. 

The doctoral researcher’s main duties will involve doctoral research on the research topic. The recruited researcher is expected to work closely with the PI and collaborators and contribute to realizing the joint research plan of the entire project. Part of this research will result in the doctoral researcher’s PhD thesis.

The doctoral researcher is expected to participate in regular project meetings, project planning and preparation, research design, data collection, handling, and analysis, preparing and publishing scientific articles, and other activities of the project. The appointed researcher will contribute to teaching and administrative tasks up to 5% of their working time. The working language of the PSYMORY project is English.

Qualifications

The selected candidate must hold a Master’s degree in a relevant field, such as psychology, psychopharmacology, or neuroscience. The selected candidate will need to apply for acceptance into Tampere University’s Doctoral Programme in Psychology and Logopedics during the Autumn semester of 2026.

The candidate should have the ability to conduct independent and collaborative research in psychology at a high international level. The candidate should have excellent analytical and methodological skills. Outstanding written and oral skills in English are required. Other language skills (e.g., Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, Finnish, or non-European languages) are an advantage.

Previous research experience is a key advantage, especially experience in experimental research in cognitive neuroscience or cognitive psychology, research involving psychedelics or other psychoactive drugs, research involving virtual reality environments, psychometrics and survey design, and/or research involving complex study designs and sensitive research topics. Skills and experience in data management, advanced quantitative and qualitative research methods, the R programming language, and other programming skills are assets.

Demonstrated familiarity with the topics of psychedelic-assisted therapy, ethical and philosophical issues with psychedelics, psychotherapy, autobiographical memory, psychological trauma, and/or false memories will also be considered advantages. 

Please be prepared to provide proof of your qualifications if requested. Please do not submit even partially AI-generated proposals.

We offer

The position is fixed-term for 4 years starting in September 2026. A trial period of six months applies to all new employees at Tampere University.

The salary will be based on the University Salary System. The salary of a doctoral researcher is at levels 2-4. In addition to the basic salary, a supplementary portion of the salary will be paid based on the appointee’s qualifications and experience. A typical starting salary is approximately 2 700 € / month.

Most of the research will take place physically in Tampere, Finland. The appointee is expected to reside in Finland while employed by Tampere University. International staff are supported in relocating to Finland. Some travel is expected.

Tampere University is an internationally renowned research university. We offer a wide range of staff benefits, such as occupational health care, flexible working hours, and excellent sports facilities on campus. Please read more about working at Tampere University. For more information about Tampere, please see VisitTampere. For further information about Finland, please visit InfoFinland and This is Finland.  

How to apply

Applications should be written in English and submitted electronically via Tampere University’s electronic recruitment system (link below). The closing date for applications is 3.8. 2026 (at 23:59/UTC +3:00). 

The following documents must be attached to your application: 

1) Brief CV (max. 3 pages, including a list of possible publications) 

2) Short (max. 1 page) letter of motivation explaining why you are applying and why you are the best candidate for this position

3) Preliminary research proposal (max. 3 pages) consisting of  

  1. a description of previous relevant research experience and
  2. a research idea/vision where you tell us why the topic or approach of the project interest you and how you would like to focus your own PhD work in this context.

Enquiries

For further information about the position please contact the project PI, samuli.kangaslampi@tuni.fi.

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Tampereen yliopisto ja Tampereen ammattikorkeakoulu muodostavat yhdessä Suomen toiseksi suurimman monitieteisen, innostavan ja vaikuttavan tutkimus- ja oppimisyhteisön. Korkeakouluyhteisömme osaamiskärjet ovat tekniikka, terveys ja yhteiskunta. Lue lisää:  www.tuni.fi

Tampereen yliopiston yhteiskuntatieteiden tiedekunta hakee neljän vuoden määräaikaiseen tehtävään väitöskirjatutkijaa alkaen syyskuussa 2026 (tai sopimuksen mukaan). Tehtävä sijoittuu psykologian oppiaineeseen ja sen tutkimusprojektiin PSYMORY – Psykedeelien vaikutukset elämäkertamuistiin (PI Samuli Kangaslampi; rahoitus: Suomen Akatemia).

Luethan tarkemman tehtävänkuvauksen ja hakuohjeet englanninkielisestä ilmoitustekstistä yläpuolelta. Hakuaika tehtävään päättyy 3.8.2026 klo: 23:59.

Application period starts: 2026-07-01 09:00Application period ends: 2026-08-03 23:59
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Remember to submit your application after previewing it! After you have submitted your application, we will send you a username and password to the email address that you provided, so that you can log in to our system and edit your application up until the closing date.