Postdoctoral Researcher: Centre for Eudaimonia & Human Flourishing (CEHF)

University of Oxford; Oxford; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious educational institution in Oxford seeks a Postdoctoral Researcher to lead research on breathwork and altered states. You will supervise students, manage research resources, and utilize MATLAB/Python for EEG analyses. Ideal candidates will have a PhD/DPhil in cognitive neuroscience and expertise in neurophenomenology. This is a funded position based in an interdisciplinary programme lasting 36 months, offering a salary of £39,424 to £47,779 per annum.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in collecting and analysing data on breathwork and psychedelics.
• Proven research track record in neurophenomenology.
• Experience with multivariate analyses of neural data.

Responsibilities

• Lead research on neurophenomenology of breathwork and altered states.
• Supervise students and research staff.
• Develop MATLAB/Python pipelines for EEG analyses.

Skills

Neurophenomenology

EEG data collection and analysis

Interdisciplinary research

Data analysis

Education

PhD/DPhil in cognitive neuroscience or a related field

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Job description

The University of Oxford is a stimulating work environment, which enjoys an international reputation as a world‑class centre of excellence. Our research plays a key role in tackling many global challenges, from reducing our carbon emissions to developing vaccines during a pandemic.

The Department of Psychiatry is based on the Warneford Hospital site in Oxford – a friendly, welcoming place of work with an international reputation for excellence. The Department has a substantial research programme, with major funding from Medical Research Council (MRC), Wellcome Trust and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and provides highly rated medical training in psychiatry. The Head of Department is Professor Belinda Lennox.

The Centre for Eudaimonia & Human Flourishing (CEHF), led by Professor Morten Kringelbach, is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher to join its interdisciplinary programme in contemplative science, computational neuroscience, and human flourishing.

About the Role

The post is funded for 36 months and is based in the CEHF at Stoke House Oxford OX3 9BX.

You will lead a programme of research exploring the neurophenomenology of breathwork and altered states, managing research resources and budgets, and developing ideas for generating research income. You will supervise and mentor students and research staff, providing guidance on methods, analysis, and career development, and represent the Centre at national and international conferences while fostering collaborations. You will also conduct cutting‑edge research, integrating first‑person reports with behavioural and neuroimaging data, developing MATLAB/Python pipelines for EEG analyses, preparing manuscripts and high‑quality visualisations, and overseeing ethical approvals and participant recruitment as required.

About You

You have or be close to the completion of a PhD/DPhil in cognitive neuroscience or a closely related field, with strong experience in collecting and analysing data on the neurophenomenology of breathwork and psychedelics. You will have a proven track record of interdisciplinary research at the intersection of information‑theoretic approaches, EEG data collection and analysis (including SSVEP), and altered states, as well as experience in multivariate analyses of neural data applied to consciousness research.

Diversity

Committed to equality and valuing diversity. Our active Psychiatry People and Culture teams and initiatives including our values and behaviours framework work to make the Department of Psychiatry as supportive, welcoming and inclusive as possible.

Application Process

You will be required to upload a covering letter/supporting statement, CV and the details of two referees as part of your online application. Please see the University pages on the application process at https://www.jobs.ox.ac.uk/application-process

The closing date for applications is 12:00 midday on 8 December 2025.

Interviews will take place during week commencing 15 December 2025.

£39,424 to £47,779 per annum