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PhD and Postdoctoral opportunities within the ERC Starting Grant BodyCrave

We are recruiting doctoral and postdoctoral researchers to join BodyCrave, an ERC Starting Grant project led by Dr. Mateo Leganes-Fonteneau at UCLouvain. The project investigates the interoceptive mechanisms supporting addictive disorders, with a specific focus on how bodily signals contribute to craving, substance use, and relapse.
Positions are embedded within the Alcohol Research Group of the Louvain Experimental Psychopathology Research Group (https://www.uclep.be/ARL/home) and involve close collaboration with Prof. Pierre Maurage’s team. The project is strongly multidisciplinary, combining experimental psychopathology, interoception research, human pharmacology, intensive longitudinal methods, and clinical trials. This positions entail close collaboration with leading laboratories in Europe and overseas.

Research themes and positions

We are currently recruiting for two research lines:
1. Respiratory interoception and tobacco use (PhD or Postdoc) 
This project examines how respiratory signals and interoceptive processes contribute to craving and tobacco consumption. The work involves laboratory-based experiments combining behavioral paradigms, pharmacological tobacco administration, and psychophysiological measures of interoception.
See here for details: https://jobrxiv.org/job/uc-louvain-ipsy-27778-phd-or-postdocl-position-in-respiratory-interoception-and-tobacco/

2. Ecological momentary assessment and clinical trial (PhD) 
This project focuses on the use of ecological momentary assessment to study craving dynamics in Alcohol Use Disorder and Tobacco Use Disorder, and to test interoception-based interventions within a randomized controlled trial framework. The project involves intensive longitudinal data collection in clinical populations and advanced statistical modeling.
See here for details: https://jobrxiv.org/job/uc-louvain-ipsy-27778-phd-position-in-ecological-momentary-assessment-and-addiction-research/

Research environment

Researchers will join a collaborative and international research environment with access to clinical populations and modern research infrastructure. The ERC framework provides structured mentoring, opportunities for training and research stays abroad, and support for career development beyond the duration of the grant.
Practical information
Positions are expected to start after September 2026, with some flexibility depending on candidate availability. Employment conditions follow Belgian regulations and are competitive within the Brussels region; commuting costs are covered.
Full position details, eligibility criteria, and application procedures are available in the individual postings. For informal inquiries, candidates are welcome to contact the Principal Investigator: mateo.leganes@uclouvain.be