Research Associate in Neuroimaging (fixed-term) (ED12535)

University of Bath; Bath; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 46,000

Job description

About The Role

The Department of Psychology is seeking a skilled and highly motivated post-doctoral research associate to lead on a range of innovative projects related to a 5-year £3.5 million Wellcome grant.

The research, led by Prof Esther Walton, will determine the extent to which cognitive impairment, one of the most disabling symptoms associated with psychotic disorders, is underpinned by neurodevelopmental changes which often resemble premature aging.

The goal is to unravel advanced brain age on a cellular level, embed this within a neurodevelopmental model of psychotic disorders, and apply this knowledge to identify more effective (proteomic) treatment targets against cognitive impairment early in the disease process.

The Bath-based Research Associate will lead on the first Work Package of the project, exploring brain age acceleration in psychotic disorders and their risk factors using large-scale case-control neuroimaging datasets (e.g. HBCD, developing Human Connectome Project, HCP).

The Research Associate will join a collaborative team across 5 institutions (Cardiff University, University of Oxford, University College London, University of Cambridge, University of Jena), including individuals with lived experience and 5 other Research Associates.

The post holder will be encouraged and supported in pursuing career development opportunities.

We Welcome Applications From Candidates Who Have

• A PhD in Cognitive or Clinical Neuroscience, data science / machine learning or related discipline
• Extensive experience in neuroimaging data analysis (e.g., structural morphometry using FreeSurfer and voxel-based methods, diffusion tensor imaging, resting state fMRI)
• Experience and interest in conducting research in psychosis and cognition.
• Experience with Python, Matlab, or R programming, advanced statistical skills and a commitment to research integrity & reproducibility (e.g., preregistration on OSF)
• Expertise in working with infant brain imaging data
• Excellent team working, communication, and time management skills.

Additional Information
The position is available on a full-time (36.5 hours per week), fixed-term basis, expected to last three years, with the possibility to extend by a further two years.

We are open to a hybrid or remote working pattern from the second year onwards, after a successful one-year onboarding period in person.

Informal enquiries about this role should be directed to Prof Esther Walton ([e-mail]) and Dr Emily Taylor ([e-mail]).

As a member of Research Staff at the University of Bath, you will be encouraged to take up a minimum of 10 days professional development pro rata per year.

What We Can Offer You
We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students, so we encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.

We are very proud to be an autism friendly university and are an accredited Disability Confident Leader; committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.

• Free counselling services through Health Assured
• Cycle to work scheme
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• Staff discount at Team Bath gym
• Staff discounts on postgraduate tuition fees
• Staff discount on language courses
• Generous employer contributory pension schemes
• Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
• A wide range of personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning and more
• Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
• Local discounts and more
• A family-friendly workplace
• An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
• Relocation allowance
• Visa reimbursement and Interest-Free Loan to help with the cost of some immigration expenses

We are committed to continually expanding our benefits to better support you and enhance your experience with us. Find out more about our benefits.

Find out from our staff what makes the University of Bath a great place to work. Follow us @UniofBath and @UniofBathJobs on X for more information.

Closing Date: 06 Apr 2025

Department: Education & Research

Salary: £38,249 to £45,413