Research Associate – School of Psychology – 104881 – Grade 6

Position Details

School of Psychology

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £32,296 to £34,866 with potential progression once in post to £39,105

Grade: 6

Part Time (15 hours per week)

Fixed Term contract up to September 2025

Closing date: 20th November 2024

Background

To assist in research (by carrying out data collection or analyses) to create knowledge through providing research support for projects and research groups.

We are seeking a part-time Research Associate to join the Motivation and Social Neuroscience Lab (Prof. Apps; https://www.msn-lab.com). The lab studies 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 ERC, Wellcome Trust and Jacobs Foundation, totalling over £4m.

A temporary part-time (0.4FTE) Research Associate position is available from 01/01/2025 or as soon as possible thereafter until 26/09/2025.

The main focus of this role will be on the collection of data from behavioural and neuroimaging experiments (e.g.fMRI) and a psychopharmacology study. In addition, the post holder may also be involved in analysing behavioural, psychopharmacology, and neuroimaging studies. The Research Associate is also expected to help with ethical approval, finance administration, participant recruitment and testing, and contributing to the writing of manuscripts for publication.

Role Summary

• Participant recruitment, testing and liaising with healthy young participants including an health screening for psychopharmacology studies
• Assistance with collecting neuroimaging data (fMRI)
• Assistance with collecting data during psychopharmacology studies
• Programming of experimental tasks and data analysis in R, python, Matlab or similar
• Contributing to manuscripts for publication

Main Duties

• Collect research data more specifically for drug studies or neuroimaging data (fMRI) this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation and literature reviews
• Undertake participant recruitment for fMRI and psychopharmacology studies
• Analyse research data as directed and present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters
• Develop or adapt techniques, models and methods
• Programming of experimental tasks and basic data analysis in R, python, Matlab or similar
• Contributing to manuscripts for publication
• Provide guidance as required to support staff and any students who may be assisting with research 
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture

Person Specification

• A BA or BSc undergraduate degree in Psychology, Neuroscience, Computer Science or a related field at a minimum of a 2.1
• A good knowledge of the psychology and neuroscience of foraging, effort processing and opportunity costs
• A good understanding of how to recruit, conduct, and analyse psychopharmacology studies in healthy human participants 
• A good understanding of how to recruit, conduct and analyse fMRI studies 
• Experience with statistics of studies involving opportunity costs, effort and foraging type experiments.(Matlab, R or python)
• Experience with analysing neuroimaging data is desirable
• Experience analysing using computational modelling (e.g. average reinforcement learning models) is desirable
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly
• Resourcefulness and organisational skills to act on own initiative
• Ability to work independently and with a team

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.

Informal enquiries to Matthew Apps, email: [email protected] 

We believe there is no such thing as a ‘typical’ member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.