Research Associate - School of Psychology - 104433 - Grade 6

Position Details

College of Life and Environmental Sciences

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £32,546 to £35,116 with potential progression once in post to £39,355

Grade: 6

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to September 2026

Closing date: 20th July 2025

Background

We welcome applications for a Research Associate in the Centre for Human Brain Health (CHBH). The CHBH is a friendly, productive, and supportive environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their goals.

The role is to provide Research Assistant services to Dr Jo Cutler for her projects on social decision-making and information seeking. Tasks include helping with participant recruitment and testing, collecting and analysing neuroimaging data, finance administration, and contributing to the writing of manuscripts for publication. There may also be opportunities to attend conferences. The successful applicant will also work closely with the Social Decision Neuroscience Lab (www.sdn-lab.org) lead by Professor Patricia Lockwood and the Motivation & Social Neuroscience Lab (www.msn-lab.com) lead by Professor Matthew Apps, including attending joint lab meetings. The position is for a minimum of 1 year with the possibility of extension, as part of a Wellcome Trust Early Career Fellowship.

To apply, please submit your CV and a letter (maximum 2 pages) explaining why you would like to apply for this role and how your previous research experience would contribute to assisting with this research.

Role Summary

• Participant recruitment and testing 
• Assistance with collecting neuroimaging data (fMRI and MEG)
• Administrative duties including assisting with finance and expenses, ethical approval, website development and maintenance, and lab organisation 
• Programming of experimental tasks and basic data analysis in R, Python, Matlab or similar
• Contributing to manuscripts for publication
• Assisting other colleagues in their research activities

Main Duties

• Collect research data including behavioural experiments and neuroimaging (fMRI and MEG)
• Analyse research data as directed
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters
• Develop or adapt techniques, models and methods
• 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
• Carry out administrative tasks related directly to the delivery of the research
• 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 high 2.1
• Ideally working towards or completed an MSc in psychology, neuroscience, computer science or a related field 
• Experience in the recruitment and testing of participants
• Experience with programming and statistics (Matlab, R or Python)
• Experience with Microsoft Office
• Experience with collecting neuroimaging data is desirable
• Experience or familiarity with research on social decision making, information seeking, or related areas
• 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

Informal enquiries Dr Jo Cutler, email: j.l.cutler@bham.ac.uk 

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.