PhD position in ecological momentary assessment and addiction research (ERC Starting Grant)

Position: Ph.D. Student

Deadline: 31 October 2026

Employment Start Date: 1 September 2026

Contract Length: 4 years

City: Louvain La Neuve / Brussels

Country: Belgium

Institution: UC Louvain

Department: Psychology

Description:

Applications are invited for a fully funded PhD position (4 years) within the ERC Starting Grant project BodyCrave, 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 BodyCrave. The position is embedded within the Alcohol Research Group of the Louvain Experimental Psychopathology Research Group (https://www.uclep.be/ARL/home) and involves close collaboration with Prof. Pierre Maurage’s team. The project integrates clinical research, intensive longitudinal data collection, and advanced statistical modeling.

Your profile

Master’s degree in Psychology, Cognitive Science, 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

Tasks and responsibilities

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

Supervision and support

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.

What we offer

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

How to apply

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. Submissions via email to: [email protected]

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.