PhD Position: Keep calm and breathe it: effects and mechanisms of slow breathing

Offer Description

Regulating and paying attention to one’s breathing is a hallmark of various practices (e.g., yoga, singing, meditation) and interventions (e.g., mindfulness, heart rate variability biofeedback) that promote health and well-being. In particular, research shows that slowing down your breath to a rhythm of 6 breaths per minute is a powerful strategy to achieve a sense of relaxation and wellbeing. At the same time, being able to quickly recover after an acute stressor is a crucial factor in long-term resilience, protecting from a range of negative outcomes.

The aim of this research project is to investigate whether and how slow breathing may be able to boost stress recovery. The project will study recovery outcomes both immediately after a slow breathing exercise, and as a long-term effect of daily practice of slow breathing. The PhD student will carry out several experimental studies testing the effects of slow breathing on self-reported stress, peripheral physiological responses, and neural dynamics using EEG.

Apart from the acquisition and statistical analysis of the data, the PhD student will report the results in international peer-reviewed journals and at scientific conferences. The conducted line of experimental studies will result in a PhD thesis that will be defended by the end of the research project.

• You obtained a Master’s Degree in psychology (or will obtain such degree no later than 5/07/2026)
• You obtained good grades during your study trajectory
• You have a strong affinity with research on stress, stress reduction interventions, and/or symptom perception
• You have a strong interest and/or background in psychophysiology and experimental studies
• You possess excellent data analytic skills
• You have excellent communicative skills in English (both verbally and academic writing)
• You are a team player who can also work independently
• You have strong organizational skills, are flexible and proactive
• You are not afraid of challenges and have a drive to learn
• You think analytically, critically and have a curious mind
• Full-time PhD position in a 4-year research project
• Duration of contract: 1-year fulltime PhD position, extendable to 4 years (upon positive evaluation after 1 year)
• Excellent working conditions:  ;
  Remuneration in Salary scale 43
  - Professional development via the KU Leuven doctoral school program and You Re Ca  ( ), participation in (inter) national conferences, workshops, teaching, and working in a creative, interdisciplinary environment where cross-fertilization between clinical practice and science is highly valued

Interviews will take place in April. Foreseen start date of the position is between May 1st - Oct 15th. For more information please contact Prof. Dr. Ilse Van Diest, mail:  or Dr. Valentina Jelinčić, mail: va

Research Field Psychological sciences » Behavioural sciences

Research Field Psychological sciences » Psychology

Research Field Psychological sciences » Cognitive science

Years of Research Experience None

- Full-time PhD position in a 4-year research project
- Duration of contract: 1-year fulltime PhD position, extendable to 4 years (upon positive evaluation after 1 year)- Excellent working conditions:  ;
Remuneration in Salary scale 43
- Professional development via the KU Leuven doctoral school program and You Re Ca  ( ), participation in (inter) national conferences, workshops, teaching, and working in a creative, interdisciplinary environment where cross-fertilization between clinical practice and science is highly valued

Eligibility criteria

- You obtained a Master’s Degree in psychology (or will obtain such degree no later than 5/07/2026) - You obtained good grades during your study trajectory - You have a strong affinity with research on stress, stress reduction interventions, and/or symptom perception - You have a strong interest and/or background in psychophysiology and experimental studies - You possess excellent data analytic skills - You have excellent communicative skills in English (both verbally and academic writing) - You are a team player who can also work independently - You have strong organizational skills, are flexible and proactive - You are not afraid of challenges and have a drive to learn - You think analytically, critically and have a curious mind