Research Assistant/Research Associate

COLLEGE OF MEDICAL, VETERINARY & LIFE SCIENCES

SCHOOL OF PSYCHOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE

GRADE 6/7

Job Purpose

To make a leading contribution to a project of the ‘Healthcare QUEST’ (A Glasgow led Healthcare Technologies for 2050” program funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, EPSRC). The project is aimed at collaborating with technologists and healthcare specialists for the development of agile brain monitoring techniques based on EEG and FNIRS working with Professor Lars Muckli and Professor Daniele Faccio. The project involves acquiring wearable brain imaging data and benchmarking to high resolution 7T fMRI data in the human visual system, based on experimental designs investigating internal models (e.g. mental imagery and visual occlusions). The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications and research proposals as well as help manage and direct this complex and challenging project as opportunities allow.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Perform the following activities in conjunction with and under the guidance of the Principal/Co Investigator:

1. Plan and conduct assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables and project/group/School/College research strategy.

2. Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all brain imaging and behavioural testing data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate.

3. Develop and enhance your research profile and reputation and that of The University of Glasgow/School/Research Group, including contributing to publications of international quality in high profile/quality refereed journals, enhancing the research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.

4. Contribute to the presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.

5. Develop and enhance your research profile and reputation, including preparation of independent and joint publications of international quality in regarded scientific journals.

6. Collaborate with colleagues and participate in meetings, seminars, workshops, and other activities across the research Group/School/College/University and wider community.

7. Contribute to organisation, supervision, mentorship and training of undergraduate and/or postgraduate students and other members of the project team.

8. Contribute to communication of research results to nonspecialists, including e.g. public health stakeholders and scientific outreach.

9. Engage in continuing personal and professional development activities as appropriate.

10. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Head of School/Director of Research Institute.

11. Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, World Changers Together.

For Appointment at Grade 7

12. Perform the above duties with a higher degree of independence, leadership, and responsibility, particularly in relation to planning, methodological development, collaboration and publication of research, and mentoring.

13. Lead in developing and maintaining external collaborations, nationally and internationally.

14. Develop and sustain a track record of independent and jointly published research that establishes and maintains an expert reputation in the subject area.

15. Disseminate research results at scientific conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.

Applicants are asked to clearly cite how they meet all the Essential and Desirable criteria by referencing each relevant criterion from A1 – F1 throughout the application.

Qualifications/Knowledge

Essential:

A1. Scottish Credit and Qualification Level 10 [Honours degree] in a relevant subject or a cognate discipline, or equivalent

OR Equivalent professional qualifications in a relevant academic/research discipline, and experience of personal development in a similar role.

A2. A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within the wider subject area or subject specialism

A3. Knowledge of project-specific technical models, equipment or techniques, including brain imaging techniques in particular fMRI acquisition and analyses (cortical layer reconstruction, retinotopic mapping, multivoxel pattern analyses)

For Appointment at Grade 7:

A4.  Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) with at least 2 years’ post-doctoral experience in a similar or related role(s), or alternatively possess the equivalent in professional qualifications and experience.

A5. Sufficient depth of relevant research experience, normally including sufficient postdoctoral experience in a related field, appropriate to an early career researcher, including hands-on MRI brain imaging research (designing and programming of 3T and 7T fMRI, EEG, and fNIRS experiments).

Desirable at Grade 6:

B1. An awarded or recently submitted or near completion PhD in subject specialism or equivalent

Skills

Essential:

C1. Research creativity and cross-discipline collaborative ability as appropriate, designing cognitive brain imaging experiments.

C2. Proficiency in handling and analysing brain imaging data (fMRI, EEG, FNIRS) in an appropriate programming language or software.

C3. Ability to develop innovative and strategic research solutions and motivation to manage them independently.

C4. Excellent communication skills in explaining complex scientific ideas in writing and orally.

C5. Commitment to open science, research integrity, and reproducible research practices.

C6. Self motivation, initiative and independent thought / working.

C7. Problem solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach.

For Appointment at Grade 7:

C8. Supervisory and mentorship skills appropriate to supporting undergraduate and postgraduate researchers.

C9. Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner

C10. A track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality publications / conferences.

Desirable at Grade 6/7:

D1. Extensive and in-depth knowledge of advanced fMRI design, acquisition and analysis including multi-variate pattern analysis (MVPA), retinotopic mapping and cortical layer reconstruction.

D2. Experience with large-scale fMRI datasets.

D3. Excellent communication skills in explaining complex scientific ideas to non-specialist audiences.

Experience

Essential:

Sufficient relevant research experience in the field of cognitive brain imaging appropriate to an early career researcher

E1. Experience in MRI brain imaging research at 3T and 7T fMRI.  Designing and programming of fMRI, EEG, and fNIRS experiments.

E2. Experience of scientific writing

E3. Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner

E4. Analysis of fMRI recorded data, including pre-processing, statistical analysis, and interpretation.

Essential at Grade 7:

E5. Advanced brain imaging analysis (e.g. layer-specific brain imaging at 7T, advanced techniques of multi-voxel pattern classification)

E6. Proven commitment to supporting the career development of colleagues and to other forms of collegiality appropriate to the career stage.

Desirable at Grade 6/7:

F1. Experience of effective working between interdisciplinary research teams.

Informal enquiries should be directed to Professor Lars Muckli, Lars.Muckli@glasgow.ac.uk

Terms and Conditions

Salary: Grade 6/7,£33,482-£37,174/£40,497-£45,413per annum 

This position is full time and has funding up to 31st May 2027.

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.  If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

Closing date: 2 April 2025 at 23:45