Research Assistant - AR3321

University of St Andrews; St Andrews; Hybrid; GBP 27,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

USS Pension Scheme (14.5%)

Hybrid working environment

Staff discount scheme

Job summary

The University of St Andrews invites applications for a Research Assistant to join the project 'AI-enabled models for whole-brain functional connectomics', led by Maarten Zwart in the School of Psychology and Neuroscience. The post is a 36-month fixed-term appointment funded by the Leverhulme Trust.

It will explore integrating structural, functional and causal data from larval zebrafish using AI to infer brain wiring, supporting work-life balance with a hybrid working environment.

Qualifications

• The ideal candidate has a background in neuroscience, zebrafish research, or molecular biology combined with an interest in learning zebrafish husbandry.

Job description

Are you interested in working in a team that looks at how the brain produces behaviour? We are looking for a Research Assistant to join an exciting collaborative project, 'AI-enabled models for whole-brain functional connectomics', funded by the Leverhulme Trust and led by Maarten Zwart in the School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews.

Understanding how the brain works requires more than simply watching it in action or examining its structure under a microscope. We need to know how individual nerve cells are physically connected and how these connections give rise to behaviour and thought. Current tools can reveal either the structure of the brain or its activity, but rarely both together in a practical and scalable way.

This project aims to solve this by combining different kinds of data -structural, functional, and causal- into a single AI-centred computer model. We focus on the larval zebrafish, a small transparent animal whose entire brain can be imaged while it is alive and behaving. By combining information about where neurons are located, how they fire over time, and how they respond to targeted stimulation, we will develop an approach that can infer the brain's wiring with far less cost and effort than today's gold-standard techniques.

The ideal candidate has a background in neuroscience, zebrafish research, or molecular biology combined with an interest in learning zebrafish husbandry. The post is available for 36 months starting December 1st, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.

St Andrews offers more than just a place to work-it is a place to belong. We value collegiality, inclusion, and wellbeing, and we are committed to creating a workplace where staff can thrive and perform at their best.

In addition to the salary on offer for this position, there are a wide range of benefits for staff working at the University of St Andrews. The package for the Research Assistant role includes:

• Financial contribution to relocation (subject to eligibility)
• Membership of the USS Pension Scheme with a generous employer contribution of 14.5%
• A hybrid working environment, including partial homeworking where appropriate and a range of family friendly policies, supporting work-life balance
• Staff discount scheme for local and national goods and services
• Free staff parking, employee Carshare and Cycle to Work Schemes and subsidised local bus travel
• Subsidised sports membership, reduced tuition fees on degree programmes for staff, access to training and development opportunities including LinkedIn Learning, access to library facilities, salary sacrifice scheme
• 34 Days Annual Leave plus 5 Public Holidays

At St Andrews, equality, diversity, and inclusion are central to who we are and form a core pillar of our University Strategy. We are committed to creating a fair, inclusive and supportive workplace, reflected in our participation in national diversity charters and awards, including Athena Swan, Carer Positive and the Race Equality Charter.

We particularly welcome applications from people from Black, Asian, minority ethnic and minority religions backgrounds and from LGBTQ+ and disabled people who are currently underrepresented in research roles at the University.

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Information on other visa options is available at https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa or by contacting our HR Immigration Team on [e-mail].

Closing date: 18 September 2026

Interview date: W/C 5 October 2026 (subject to change)

Please quote ref: AR3321CM

Job description: AR3321CM FPs.pdf

Psychology & Neuroscience

Salary: Grade 5, £32,080 per annum

Start Date: 1 December 2026

Duration: Fixed Term for 36 months

36.25 hours per week, Full Time