Graduate Research Assistant

University of Oxford; Oxford; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Annual leave 38 days

Childcare services

Family leave schemes

Cycle loan scheme

Travel discounts

Job summary

The University of Oxford's Department of Experimental Psychology invites applications for a Graduate Research Assistant to join the Brain, Speech & Language Research Group led by Professor Kate Watkins. The post is funded by an ERC grant for the STUTTER project, studying neural mechanisms underlying stuttering across the lifespan.

The successful candidate will assist with a longitudinal study of children who stutter and those who do not, including recruitment, behavioural and neuroimaging

Qualifications

• Good first degree (2:1 or higher) in cognitive neuroscience, psychology, speech and language sciences, or related discipline.
• Experience of experimental research methods, behavioural assessment and/or neuroimaging research is essential.
• Experience of working with children, speech and language disorders, MRI or MEG would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Assist with a longitudinal study of children who stutter and children who do not.
• Recruit participants and conduct behavioural and neuroimaging assessments.
• Participate in data collection, analysis and preparation of publications, reports and conference presentations.

Skills

Experimental research methods

Behavioural assessment

Neuroimaging

Working with children

Data analysis

Education

2:1 degree in cognitive neuroscience/psychology/speech and language sciences

Tools

MRI

MEG

Job description

Location: Department of Experimental Psychology, Life and Mind Building

Applications are invited for a Graduate Research Assistant to join the Brain, Speech & Language Research Group led by Professor Kate Watkins in the Department of Experimental Psychology. The post is funded by a European Research Council grant for the STUTTER project, which investigates the neural mechanisms underlying stuttering across the lifespan.

The successful applicant will assist with a longitudinal study of children who stutter and children who do not stutter, including participant recruitment, behavioural and neuroimaging assessments, and follow-up testing. Working closely with the Principal Investigator and postdoctoral researcher, the postholder will contribute to participant testing, data collection and analysis, and the preparation of publications, reports and conference presentations.

The post is full-time and fixed term for 2 years in the first instance, with the possibility of extension subject to funding. Flexible working, including evenings, weekends and school holidays, will be required to facilitate participant testing and MRI scanning sessions. The role is based in the Life and Mind Building and involves work at the Oxford Centre for Human Brain Activity in Headington, Oxford.

Applicants should hold a good first degree (at least a 2:1) in cognitive neuroscience, psychology, speech and language sciences, or a related discipline. Experience of experimental research methods, behavioural assessment and/or neuroimaging research is essential. Experience of working with children, speech and language disorders, MRI or MEG would be advantageous.

What We Offer

• - An excellent contributory pension scheme
• - 38 days annual leave
• - A comprehensive range of childcare services
• - Family leave schemes
• - Cycle loan scheme
• - Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans
• - Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs

The University of Oxford is committed to equal opportunity, and to being an inclusive institution where everyone belongs and is supported to succeed. We recognise how the diversity of our community enriches our ability to deliver on our academic mission. We welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds, including those under-represented within higher education. No applicant or members of staff shall be unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

The closing date for applications is midday on 13 November 2026 and only applications received by this date will be considered.

£35,681 to £41,636 per annum per annum: Grade 6