Research Associate in the Adaptive Learning Psychology and Neuroscience

Contract Type:

Fixed Term Contract up to June 2024

We are seeking a motivated Research Associate to join the Adaptive Learning Psychology and Neuroscience Lab (Dr. Zhang; https://lei-zhang.net/) and the Motivation and Social Neuroscience Lab (Dr. Apps; https://www.msn-lab.com). The labs study the cognitive, computational and neurobiological basis of (social) learning and decision-making in healthy adults, across the lifespan and in neurological and psychiatric disorders. This post is funded by Fellowships and grants from the MRC, BBSRC, ERC, Wellcome Trust and Jacobs Foundation, totalling over £4m.

An initial 1-year Research Associate position is available from 10th July 2023, or as soon as possible thereafter.

The main focus of this role will be on the collection of data from behavioural and neuroimaging experiments (e.g.fMRI). In addition, the post holder may be involved in behavioural, psychopharmacology, and neuroimaging studies involving children, adolescents and older adults. The Research Associate is also expected to help with ethical approval, finance administration, and contributing to the writing of manuscripts for publication. Salary: £29,762 to £32,411 with potential progression once in post to £36,333, Grade 6

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Running experiments involving behavioural and neuroimaging measures (e.g. fMRI, MEG)
• Recruiting and contacting participants
• Analysing behavioural and brain imaging data (with training)
• Writing and contributing to manuscripts for research publications, and presenting data
• Work collaboratively with other members of the group
• Helping to look after and ordering relevant equipment when required
• Helping the lab heads with administrative processes.

Selection criteria

• Have or be close to the completion of a BSc in Cognitive Neuroscience, Neuroimaging, Experimental Psychology or a closely related discipline
• Experience in running behavioural experiments
• Experience of recruiting populations
• Ability to work independently
• Resourcefulness and organisational skills to act on own initiative
• Strong presentation skills including the ability to present research proposals and results
• Good inter-personal skills with an ability to work collaboratively, and help others with ongoing projects

Desirable selection criteria

• Knowledge of decision-making Psychological and Neuroscience Research
• Experience in designing/conducting or analysing neuroimaging data (e.g. fMRI and/or MEG)
• Quantitative and programming skills, and knowledge of one or more relevant programming languages (e.g. Matlab; Python; R)
• Experience with, or an understanding of, computational models of decision-making (e.g. reinforcement learning, drift diffusion modeling, economic discounting models)
• Experience of writing and publishing peer reviewed scientific papers/preprints

Application Materials

Please include a copy of your academic CV, as well a maximum 2-page cover letter outlining your motivation for applying for this position and fit to the position’s selection criteria.

For informal enquiries please contact Dr. Lei Zhang (l.zhang.13@bham.ac.uk) or Dr. Matthew Apps (m.a.j.apps@bham.ac.uk).

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click the ‘Apply for job’ button. 

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment

We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working