At a Glance
- Tasks: Run exciting experiments with kids and animals while collaborating with a dynamic research team.
- Company: Join a multidisciplinary team at the University of Stirling, pushing the boundaries of psychology and philosophy.
- Benefits: Gain valuable research experience, flexible hours, and the chance to contribute to groundbreaking studies.
- Other info: Perfect for students looking to enhance their CV and gain hands-on research experience.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in understanding cognitive development and engage with innovative research.
- Qualifications: Passion for psychology, strong communication skills, and a willingness to learn.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
The Faculty of Arts and Humanities, in cooperation with the Faculty of Natural Sciences, is offering a 15‑month part‑time 40% position as Research Assistant on the multidisciplinary research project entitled ‘Agency, Rationality and Epistemic Defeat’ funded by the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship scheme.
The Research Assistant will work in collaboration with Dr Giacomo Melis (Philosophy, Principal Investigator), Dr Kresimir Durdevic (Psychology, Postdoctoral Research Fellow), Dr Eva Rafetseder (Psychology, Co‑Investigator) and Dr Zsófia Virányi (Animal Cognition, Co‑Investigator) of the Messerli Research Institute (University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna).
Outline of the Project:
The project is articulated in a broadly philosophical and broadly empirical part, which will progress in parallel and will be driven by the interactive work of the core team. The more philosophical part will develop a theory of rational belief‑revision that will apply to the various agents discussed in philosophy and cognitive science, focusing on the notion of epistemic defeat. The more empirical part will use such theory to design and run novel comparative cognitive tests on pre‑verbal children, pigs, and dogs aimed at assessing whether they may be capable of some form of reflective thinking. The experiments with human infants will be designed and executed in the psychology division of the University of Stirling.
Description of Duties:
- Setting up and running experiments with young children, including corresponding with nurseries and managing testing schedules.
- Assisting in supervising student research assistants.
- Taking responsibility for participant recruitment including establishing and maintaining good relationships required to facilitate this.
- Contribute to quantitative data analysis and management of datasets.
- Have regular meetings with the project team to track progress, resolve any practical, technical or analytical issues.
- Contribute to manuscript preparation as a co‑author.
- Contributing to the public engagement activities of the project.
- Update the project’s websites.
Informal enquiries can be made to Dr Kresimir Durdevic, email: Kresimir.durdevic@stir.ac.uk.
Research Assistant in Developmental Psychology in Stirling employer: ClimateXChange
As a Learning and Teaching Administrator at our esteemed university, you will be part of a vibrant academic community that values collaboration, innovation, and student success. We offer a supportive work culture with opportunities for professional development, ensuring that you can grow your skills while making a meaningful impact on the student experience. Located in a dynamic environment, our institution provides unique advantages such as access to diverse resources and a commitment to excellence in education.
