Stellenangebot: Research Associate (m/f/d) — Digital Mental Health

The Department of Public Mental Health (led by Professor Ulrich Reininghaus) develops and evaluates new mobile Health (mHealth) interventions, with the goal of translating evidence from epidemiology into mental health service innovations.

The position is based in the Research Group Precision Digital Mental Health, led by Dr. Christian Rauschenberg, within the Department of Public Mental Health.

Within the SENSED-MH and EMERGE-MH projects of the German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), we investigate mental health in everyday life and develop personalized digital interventions. SENSED-MH combines Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA), mobile sensing and clinical assessments to examine how everyday experiences and behaviour relate to mental health. EMERGE-MH builds on this research by translating these approaches into adaptive interventions.
A particular focus of this position is the development and evaluation of a digital detox app that supports healthier smartphone and social media use and addresses loneliness. The app will use Just-in-Time Adaptive Intervention (JITAI) principles to tailor the timing and content of support to users’ individual needs, current experiences and everyday contexts. We will also explore the potential use of an LLM-based chatbot to provide personalized conversational support.

The Research Group Precision Digital Mental Health is looking for a motivated research associate (m/f/d) to join our team from 1 January 2027. This part-time position (37.5% FTE) will be offered on a fixed-term contract until 31 May 2028.

• Contribute to the scientific development of a digital detox app addressing problematic smartphone and social media use and loneliness, in close collaboration with a technical development team and project partners.
• Develop and adapt evidence-based intervention content, including exercises supporting mindful technology use, behavioural activation and social connection.
• Specify and evaluate JITAI decision rules that adapt intervention timing and content to users’ needs and contexts, drawing on EMA and mobile sensing data.
• Explore the potential integration of an LLM-based chatbot, including the design of conversational content and the evaluation of its usability, acceptability and safety.
• Contribute to participatory development through interviews, co-design workshops and usability tests with members of the target population and people with lived experience.
• Support the coordination and implementation of the feasibility study, including participant communication, study procedures and monitoring of engagement and data quality.
• Prepare and analyse EMA, mobile sensing and intervention data from SENSED-MH and EMERGE-MH.
• Present findings from research projects at scientific conferences and publish papers in international peer-reviewed journals.

• An excellent Master’s degree in psychology, public health, epidemiology, mental health services research or a related field of the social or health/life sciences.
• A strong interest in digital mental health, behaviour change, problematic smartphone and social media use, and loneliness.
• Experience with quantitative research methods and statistical data analysis, ideally using Stata, R or Python.
• Experience with EMA, mobile sensing, digital interventions or participatory research is desirable.
• An interest in adaptive interventions and the ability to translate scientific concepts into practical requirements for app development. Familiarity with conversational AI or LLM-based chatbots is an advantage.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Very good written and spoken English. German language proficiency at CEFR level B2 or above is required.

• An exciting position at a leading research institute and clinic
• Collaboration in an excellent international network of experts in the field of experience sampling methodology
• Internal and external training and career development
• A workplace in the heart of Mannheim
• Salary in accordance with the German public sector collective agreement for the federal states (TV-L); Pay group E13. Placement in levels 1-6 depends on personal qualifications.

We stand for equal opportunities

Dr. Christian Rauschenberg, Research Group Precision Digital Mental Health, Department of Public Mental Health, Tel. 0621/1703-1929