University of Birmingham
Research Associate
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Research Associate
Research Associate / Lab Manager
Position Details
School: School of Psychology
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
Salary: Full-time starting salary range: £33,002 – £35,608 (with potential progression to £39,906 upon appointment). FTE 1568 Grade 6
Contract: Full-time, Fixed term (up to September 2027)
Closing Date: 19 July 2026
Background
Applications are invited for a Research Associate/Lab Manager position within the Centre for Human Brain Health (CHBH) at the University of Birmingham.
In a supportive and proactive environment, the role involves assisting Dr Jo Cutler in her research on social decision-making and information-seeking. Key responsibilities include:
- Participant recruitment and testing
- Collection and analysis of neuroimaging data (fMRI & MEG)
- Administrative duties (finance, ethical approvals, website management, lab organisation)
- Programming experimental tasks and data analysis in R, Python, or Matlab
- Contributing to manuscript preparation for peer-reviewed publications
- Representing the role at academic conferences (where applicable)
- Close collaboration with:
- The Social Decision Neuroscience Lab (led by Professor Patricia Lockwood)
- The Motivation and Social Neuroscience Lab (led by Professor Matthew Apps)
The position is funded by a Wellcome Trust Early Career Fellowship, with a minimum term of 1 year, subject to extension.
Role Summary
The ideal candidate will:
- Assist in recruiting and testing participants
- Support fMRI and MEG neuroimaging data collection
- Manage financial, ethical, and administrative tasks, including lab maintenance
- Develop and implement experimental protocols for behavioural and neuroimaging studies
- Contribute to the writing of research papers and grant applications
- Provide technical and operational assistance to colleagues, including PhD students
- Present findings at internal seminars and external conferences
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Key Duties (Responsibilities)
Research Support
- Conduct participant recruitment and testing for behavioral and neuroimaging studies
- Assist in neuroimaging setup and data acquisition (fMRI & MEG)
- Analyse data under guidance, contributing to research outputs
- Present research findings at ** conoferences, seminars, or posters**
Technical & Administrative
- Programme and implement psychophysical experiments in R, Python, or Matlab
- Maintain website resources for participant information and lab documentation
- Manage limited finance and expenses, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards (e.g., ethical approvals)
- Organise lab resources, including equipment maintenance
Collaborative & Operational
- Provide supervision (as required) to students or additional research staff
- Troubleshoot issues relating to data collection, compliance, and deliverables
- Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion, fostering a supportive and accessible research environment
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
✔ A BA/BSc Honours degree (minimum 2:1 upper second class) in:
- Psychology, Neuroscience, Computer Science, or a closely related field
✔ Experience in recruitment and participant testing within research
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✔ Proficiency in programming (Matlab, R, or Python) and basic statistical analysis
✔ Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and basic equipment maintenance
Desirable Criteria
🔹 An MSc in relevant disciplines (Neuroscience, Psychology, Cognitive Science, etc.)
🔹 Prior hands-on experience with neuroimaging data collection (especially fMRI/MEG)
🔹 Familiarity with studies on social decision-making, information-seeking, or motivation
🔹 Knowledge of Equality and Diversity (UK legal obligations, particularly the Equality Act 2010)
🔹 Self-motivated and capable of independent problem-solving
Informal Enquiries
For more information, contact Laila Waraich via email at l.waraich@bham.ac.uk.
How to Apply
Submit: 📄 A curriculum vitae and a cover letter (max. 2 pages) Explaining:
- Your interest in the role
- How your academic/research experience aligns with the project objectives
☞ Staff Values and Behaviours – University of Birmingham
Note on AI-generated applications: Applications using AI tools excessively may not be progressed, as they may lack personalised insight.
University Commitments
The School of Psychology and the University of Birmingham promote: 🌍 Diversity and Equality (including Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter, and Disability Confident accreditations) 🌱 Sustainability as a core operational priority
🔗 Further details: ED&I Strategies
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