Senior Research Associate - Navigating Neural Overload: Decoding Cortical Hyperexcitability and[...]

Lancaster University; Bailrigg; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious UK university in England is seeking a researcher for a project focused on cortical excitability and perceptions. The successful candidate will design, program, and conduct experiments while managing project tasks, including participant recruitment and data analysis. Essential skills include expertise in Matlab and experience with Psychopy (or E-prime). This is a unique opportunity to engage in innovative research within a supportive academic environment.

Benefits

Wide range of employee benefits

Support networks and facilities for family-friendly workplace

Commitment to promoting diversity and equality

Qualifications

• Expertise in Matlab and Psychopy (or E-prime) is absolutely essential.
• Experience with data gathering and analysis.
• Ability to recruit participants and manage the project.

Responsibilities

• Program computer-based experiments and stimuli.
• Administer brain-stimulation montages per safety guidelines.
• Collect and analyze data using contemporary packages.
• Write up research findings for publication.
• Work independently to ensure project completion.

Skills

Programming skills in Matlab

Experience with Psychopy or E-prime

Data analysis skills (Frequentist, Bayes, mixed-effects)

Expertise in R-studio

Experimental and analytical design skills

Job description

This 4-year project is funded by the UKRI (BBSRC) awarded to the principal researcher Dr Jason J Braithwaite and focuses on examining cortical hyperexcitability underlying predisposition to aberrant perceptions such as visual distortions and hallucinations. The role involves designing, programming and conducting computer‑based experiments to assess the presence of cortical excitability in observers. The very latest in computer‑modelled optimized multi‑channel transcranial direct‑current brain stimulation (MtDCS) will also be applied across studies to alter the excitability of the visual cortex. Trait‑based measures of susceptibility to aberrant perceptions will also be administered. You will be responsible for (i) programming stimuli, (ii) programming the experimental delivery of stimuli, and (iii) gathering & analysing data. Expertise in Matlab and Psychopy (or E‑prime) is absolutely essential. You will be responsible for the day to day management of the Project, from recruiting participants, developing the experimental designs, and the setting up of studies through to analysis, dissemination (presentations and journal articles) and impact activities.

Responsibilities

• Have programming skills for running computer‑based experiments.
• Be able to administer brain‑stimulation montages to participants in line with safety and ethical guidelines.
• Be able to collect and analyse (Frequentist, Bayes, mixed‑effects) all forms of data gathered and will have experience with contemporary packages (R‑studio).
• Have skills in experimental and analytical design.
• Be able to write up the research findings for publication and presentations.
• Be able to work independently leading to the successful completion of the project.

About the Department

The Psychology Department is a busy teaching and research active Department. It is home to a friendly group of around 40 Academic staff, with teams of Research and Professional Services and Technical staff. The Department supports a large cohort of Undergraduate students; a thriving group of Masters and Postgraduate research students; and a wide range of research projects including several cross‑institution grants.

Support and Benefits

Find out what it's like to work at Lancaster University, including information on our wide range of employee benefits, support networks and our policies and facilities for a family‑friendly workplace. The University recognises and celebrates good employment practice undertaken to address all inequality in higher education whilst promoting the importance and wellbeing for all our colleagues. We warmly welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of their age, religion, gender identity or expression, race, disability or sexual orientation, and are committed to promoting diversity, and equality of opportunity.