PhD position in ecological momentary assessment and addiction research

Organisation/Company UC Louvain, IPSY Research Field Biological sciences Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Final date to receive applications 2 Aug 2026 - 23:00 (UTC) Country Belgium Type of Contract To be defined Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week To be defined Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Applications are invited for a fully funded PhD position (4 years) within the ERC Starting Grant project Body Crave, with Dr. Mateo Leganes-Fonteneau as research lead. The project examines the interoceptive mechanisms supporting addictive disorders. This specific PhD project focuses on the use of ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to study craving dynamics in Alcohol Use Disorder and Tobacco Use Disorder, and to evaluate interventions targeting bodily processes within a randomized controlled trial framework.

The successful candidate will join a newly established research team under the ERC Starting Grant Body Crave. The position is embedded within the Alcohol Research Group of the Louvain Experimental Psychopathology Research Group ( ) and involves close collaboration with Prof. Pierre Maurage’s team. The project integrates clinical research, intensive longitudinal data collection, and advanced statistical modeling.

Master’s degree in Psychology, Cognitive Science, Neuroscience, Clinical Psychology, or a related discipline

Training or experience in clinical research, clinical psychology, or work with patients with substance use disorders

Strong interest in ecological momentary assessment, intensive longitudinal designs, and intervention research

Strong quantitative skills, including statistical analysis of longitudinal data and coding experience (e.g., R, Python, or similar)

Experience with network analysis, multilevel modelling, or time-series methods is a strong asset

Strong organizational skills and ability to work independently while contributing to a multidisciplinary research team

Knowledge of French is a strong asset

Implement and manage EMA protocols in clinical populations with alcohol and tobacco use disorders

Coordinate data collection within a randomized controlled trial

Monitor data quality, adherence, and participant engagement

Analyze intensive longitudinal and clinical trial data

Contribute to dissemination of results and collaborative project components

Travel abroad for training and research stays

The PhD student will receive close supervision within the ERC project and dedicated methodological support from a postdoctoral researcher with expertise in ecological momentary assessment and intensive longitudinal data analysis.

Strong support for doctoral training and career development within a structured ERC-funded project

Targeted training opportunities with international collaborators in Europe and overseas

Possibility to develop complementary research interests aligned with the project objectives

A collaborative research environment within an established experimental psychopathology group

Access to clinical populations and state-of-the-art research infrastructure

To apply, please submit a single PDF including, in the following order: an academic CV, a one-page report on past research, a one-page research proposal related to the project topic, and the contact details of two referees. Please also include undergraduate and master’s transcripts of records.

The position is expected to start after September 2026, with some flexibility depending on candidate availability. Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis, and candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Salary is fixed according to doctoral regulations and remains competitive within the Brussels region. Transport to the workplace is covered.