Research Assistant (AI-assisted autism diagnosis with neuroscience)

University of Plymouth; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading university in the UK seeks a junior research assistant to support participant recruitment and data collection involving online questionnaires and fNIRS data. The role involves working in an interdisciplinary team and requires a careful approach to data collection. Ideal candidates will be organized, motivated, and have experience in similar procedures. Flexible working opportunities are available.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Pension scheme

Cycle to Work & Electric Car Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Development opportunities

Enhanced family leave

Retailer discounts

On-site nursery

Qualifications

• Experience in fNIRS or other lab-based data collection preferred.
• Ability to use standard computers and technical devices.
• Strong organizational and self-motivation skills.

Responsibilities

• Support recruitment and data collection online and in person.
• Administer questionnaires and collect data using devices.
• Engage with clinicians and people with lived experience.

Skills

Methodological approach to data collection

Technical competence with devices

Organizational skills

Self-motivation

Job description

Overview

If so, this junior research assistant role may be for you! You work directly with the project leader, Prof. Andy J. Wills, and interact with a broad research team. Your main role is to support the recruitment of participants and the collection of data, both online and in person. This involves the use of online questionnaires, voice recording, movement/sleep data collection using smart watches, and predominantly the collection of fNIRS data in person (fNIRS is a safe non-invasive brain scan technology that uses near-infrared light). You will also interact with clinicians and people with lived experience.

Location: Plymouth (the research team spans the Universities of Plymouth, Aston, Birmingham, and Warwick).

Responsibilities

• Support participant recruitment and data collection for the project, both online and in person.
• Administer online questionnaires and collect voice, movement, and sleep data using appropriate devices.
• Assist with in-person collection of fNIRS data (training provided if you don’t already have fNIRS experience).
• Engage with clinicians and people with lived experience as part of the study team.

Qualifications

• Careful and methodological approach; ideally with experience in fNIRS, or in another lab-based data collection procedure (fNIRS training can be provided).
• Numerate and competent with standard computers and technical devices.
• Well organized, self-motivated, and able to seek and take direction when needed.

Team and Environment

Although the work is based in Plymouth, you will join a research team that spans the Universities of Plymouth, Aston, Birmingham, and Warwick. The team includes psychiatrists, computer and data scientists, psychologists, and neuroscientists. The Faculty of Health holds four Silver Athena Swan awards for gender equality in higher education. The University of Plymouth supports a strong interdisciplinary research ethos through its Research Institutes: the Marine Institute, the Sustainable Earth Institute, and the Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research. You will be encouraged to contribute to recognised research strengths and to innovate, collaborate, and deliver impactful research as part of a systems thinking approach to addressing today’s global challenges.

The University of Plymouth is an inclusive community where everyone is welcome regardless of background. For information about equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives such as Athena Swan and the Race Equality Charter, please visit our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion webpages.

Interview and Offer

Following the closing date of the vacancy, you will be notified of the outcome of your application in due course. Anticipated Interview Date: Wednesday 15 October 2025. Staff appointed within the Faculty of Health may join the NHS pension scheme subject to eligibility criteria. When joining us, you will receive:

• Generous annual leave: 25 days per year (pro rata if part-time) plus Bank Holidays and Closure Days
• Generous pension scheme
• Cycle to Work & Electric Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Development opportunities
• Enhanced family leave
• Flexible working
• Retailer discounts
• On-site nursery
• Pro rata if part-time