Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Neuroimaging

KINGS COLLEGE LONDON; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious university in the UK seeks a postdoctoral researcher in cognitive computational modelling. This role involves leading research on social inference mechanisms and offers opportunities to develop independent research projects. Candidates should have a PhD and expertise in social cognitive research along with strong coding and communication skills. The position is full-time with a salary range of £45,031-£49,871 per annum.

Benefits

Flexible working environment

Diversity and inclusion

Teaching opportunities

Qualifications

• PhD in relevant field such as cognitive computational science or neuroscience.
• Experience in social cognitive research.
• Knowledge of model simulation and decision-making data.

Responsibilities

• Refine decision-making social and non-social paradigms.
• Conduct model simulations and statistical inferences.
• Mentor students in the SoCR Lab.

Skills

Social cognitive research

Model simulation

Neuroimaging analysis (fMRI, MRI)

Coding in Python or R

Excellent communication skills

Education

PhD in cognitive computational science, neuroscience, computer science, or related disciplines

Tools

Bayesian methods

Job description

Overview

Organisation/Company: KINGS COLLEGE LONDON

Research Field: Computer science; Psychological sciences

Researcher Profile: Recognised Researcher (R2); Established Researcher (R3)

Country: United Kingdom

Application Deadline: 30 Sep 2025 - 00:00 (UTC)

Type of Contract: Other | Job Status: Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

About us

The Social Computation and Representation Lab (SoCR Lab; www.socrlab.net) uses mathematical models and causal experimental designs to understand the fundamental rules behind human and AI social interaction in health and disorder. This is with the ultimate aim to improve psychiatric support for service users and improve the intuition, ethics, and efficiency of AI systems. We are based at the IoPPN, King’s College London, a world-leading institute well-known for its close-knit community, collaborative atmosphere, and outstanding research support.

Role and project

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher with expertise in cognitive computational modelling (preferably social cognitive modelling) and an interest in cognitive neuroscience and psychiatry to join the SoCR Lab led by Dr Joseph M Barnby. You will work within a wider project funded by the Wellcome Trust that will test the social and non-social cognitive mechanisms underlying paranoia across social context, under psychopharmacological manipulation, and in those who are seeking support for psychosis. This will be with the intention to test how parameters may be biased by THC manipulations, or in support-seeking participants with a diagnosis of psychosis. The postdoctoral researcher will lead a research program focused on developing and testing the computational mechanisms of social inference, although will have plenty of scope, and will be encouraged, to develop and expand their own research interests. The postholder will work under the supervision of Co-I Dr Joseph M Barnby and also benefit from the supervision of Co-I Dr Michael Moutoussis (UCL), Co-I Amir Englund (KCL), Co-I Syeda Tahir (City) and PI Prof Mitul Mehta (KCL).

This role will provide you with the freedom to develop new and creative ideas, methodologies, and/or approaches to challenging important questions of interest to the lab. In addition to leading the project, you will be supported in finding a research area that interests you, encouraged to develop a research programme of your own, and apply for independent funding. The postdoctoral researcher will also have teaching opportunities if this is of interest. You will be primarily based at the Centre for Neuroimaging Sciences (KCL, London, UK) but will also have the opportunity to travel and work at the Centre for AI and Machine Learning (ECU, Perth, AU) and the School of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience (UWA, Perth, AU).

Importantly, we adopt a flexible working environment within the lab and are happy to organise working arrangements that suite your individual needs. We enjoy diversity of thought, ideas, and experience within the lab and approach our work with the same mindset. All of our data and code is open, and we will expect the postholder to adopt open science principles during the course of their stay with the SoCR lab.

Responsibilities

• Refining the implementing decision-making social and non-social paradigms for pre specified research hypotheses.
• Conducting model simulations, fitting, and recovery, as well as statistical inferences on model outputs, for pre specified research hypotheses.
• Sugesting further appropriate methods and analyses.
• Writing manuscripts to disseminate research findings.
• Present summaries of study updates at internal meetings and meetings with external collaborators, and at national and international conferences.
• Mentoring undergraduate, masters, and PhD students in the SoCR Lab and within the Department of Neuroimaging.
• Collaborating with the wider team in order to achieve the aims of the project.
• Managing and organising own workload. It is the postdoc’s responsibility to make sure that deadlines are met and the necessary resources are available for the job at hand.
• Working with Dr Joseph Barnby and the wider team to develop novel research questions and theories of interest. This will be highly encouraged.
• Other relevant activities as directed by the line manager.

About you / Qualifications

• PhD in developmental cognitive computational science, neuroscience, computer science, or related disciplines.
• Previous experience in social cognitive research
• Knowledge and prior experience of model simulation, recovery, and fitting of decision-making data
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work independently as well as within a team.
• Good organisational and time management skills, including ability to prioritise workload and work to deadlines.
• Coding skills and experience in one or more open-source languages (e.g. Python, R)
• Experience in the use of neuroimaging analysis (fMRI, MRI) to study mechanisms of brain function
• Previous experience of using Bayesian methods in both model development and fitting.
• Previous experience and knowledge of research methods and study design in clinical trials.
• Knowledge of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) in clinical trials and knowledge of Research Governance Frameworks.

Further information

We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community. We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King's. As part of this commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and through this appointment process, it is our aim to develop candidate pools that include applicants from all backgrounds and communities.

We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible. Your cover letter should also describe the following: 1) past research experience and contributions to science, 2) relevance of research experience for current position, and 3) career development plans.

To find out how our managers will review your application, please take a look at our ‘How we Recruit’ pages.

Grade and Salary

£45,031- £49,871 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance

Job ID: 123825

Close Date: 30-Sep-2025

Contact Person: Dr Joseph M Barnby

Contact Details: [e-mail]