Cognitive Researcher with Behavioral and Psychological Expertise

We are looking for a Cognitive Researcher with Behavioral and Psychological Expertise

Us

ERSTE Foundation has initiated an Open Future Lab, a dedicated research and design unit addressing financial well-being at large. Open Future Lab is a curious, purpose-driven, people-first, evidence-based and future-building lab. A collaborative social change agent and facilitator exploring and designing financial life. We focus on challenging the status quo of the financial world from the outside in, aiming to develop a more equitable and improved financial future for all. Collaborating with an ever-expanding network of partners, we strive to bridge the gap between the everyday lives of people, academic insights, and real-world applications. By transforming research into practical strategies and designs, we advocate for people-centric and forward-looking changes in the industry, policymaking, and society.

We are looking for a cognitive researcher with a background in behavioral science, psychology, neuroscience, or cognitive economics—someone who is passionate about understanding how people think, feel, and behave when it comes to financial life decisions.

Your focus will be on exploring mental models, biases, motivations, stressors, and habits that shape financial life. You'll generate insights into the emotional and cognitive drivers of behavior—particularly those that affect long-term thinking and the ability to think, plan and make decisions under uncertainty.

You’ll work closely with a transdisciplinary team of designers, strategists, and researchers to shape studies, uncover patterns, and design interventions that resonate with real people. You’ll help bring human insight into the heart of financial life.

• You hold an advanced degree in psychology, behavioral science, cognitive science, neuroscience, or a related field, and have equivalent experience.
• You have a strong grasp of behavioral research methods, and have conducted empirical studies or experiments involving human participants.
• You’re comfortable translating complex research into actionable, accessible insights for diverse audiences.
• You’re passionate about applying psychological insights to real-world challenges, particularly in financial life.
• You enjoy working collaboratively across disciplines and are comfortable with ambiguity, iteration, and experimentation.
• You have an ethical, thoughtful approach to research—especially when working with sensitive human data.

We Offer

We offer full-time contracts complete with all social benefits afforded by Austrian law. You will be provided with all necessary tools, including hardware and software. Our salary and benefits package are attractive and negotiable, depending on experience. We support flexible, hybrid working policies, and encourage a healthy work-life balance. We celebrate diversity, which fuels creativity and empowers our community. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, or gender identity. We welcome applicants from all over Europe and the world.

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