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- Tasks: Join a world-class team to analyse neurodevelopment data and develop innovative research methods.
- Company: King's College London is a leading institution in neuroscience and psychological research.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for collaboration and teaching.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on understanding brain development while working with top experts in the field.
- Qualifications: PhD in relevant fields or near completion, with experience in neuroimaging and advanced data analysis.
- Other info: Full-time role until November 2027, with potential for growth and interdisciplinary collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 39000 - 46000 £ per year.
Organisation/Company KINGS COLLEGE LONDON Research Field Biological sciences Computer science Psychological sciences Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Established Researcher (R3) Country United Kingdom Application Deadline 28 Aug 2025 – 00:00 (UTC) Type of Contract Other Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
About us
The Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences (FANS) is one of Europe’s largest research groups and one of the few teams in the world bringing together leading experts in brain development and pro and antisocial behaviours. We believe it is essential to investigate the determinants of typical development in order to understand variation in behaviour (or illness).
About the role
We are offering the opportunity within the Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences in the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience for two post-docs to join our world class academic team in neurodevelopment.
This role will focus on data analysis and methods development to develop a better understanding of the mechanisms underpinning typical and altered neurodevelopment, brain structure, and function across the lifespan – including in neurotypical populations and those with neurodevelopmental, mental health, and psychiatric conditions. Specifically, the candidates will have expedited access to data from AIMS-2-TRIALS, the world’s largest multimodal, longitudinal autism study; the South African BONO cohort, and the SLAM Image Bank, one of the world’s largest, real-world imaging/clinical datasets that incudes individuals with a diverse range of mental health, psychiatric, and neurological conditions.
Leveraging these data, the candidates will develop and apply approaches to analyse brain structural development over time at the group, sub-group, and individual level (e.g., using normative modelling and clustering approaches to parse heterogeneity). The candidates will further have the opportunity to link imaging-derived phenotypes to (i) early life risk factors, e.g., to explore the impact of early adversity on subsequent brain development; (ii) clinical outcomes, e.g. to provide a basis for future research into brain-based biomarkers and to (iii) genomic variation, using novel imaging-transcriptomics approaches, e.g., to identify putative treatment targets.
To this aim, the successful applicants will work as part of an analytic team, including Prof Murphy (KCL), Dr Charlotte Pretzsch (KCL), and Prof Christine Ecker (Frankfurt). Beyond this core analysis team, the candidates will have the opportunity to collaborate with leading experts in research on foetuses/neonates/infants led by Prof Grainne McAlonan, Professor David Edwards, and Dr Dafnis Batalle; research on sensory processing by Dr Nick Putts; and inflammatory genetics.
The successful candidate will support other researchers and MSc/PhD students. They will develop novel scientific questions and lead on the analysis of specific aspects of translational science depending on their areas of expertise. It is expected that the candidate will also contribute to departmental teaching.
This is a full-time post (35 hours per week), until 30/11/2027.
To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:
- PhD in neuroscience/neuroimaging/neurobiology/ neuroinformatics/data science or a related field near completion*
- Previous experience in analysing neuroimaging (structural magnetic resonance imaging or low field neuroimaging) data across age-groups
- Advanced (statistical) data analysis (including e.g., normative modelling, clustering/subgrouping, longitudinal, multivariate approaches) and programming skills
- Ability to write complex reports and/or scientific publications, demonstrated through emergent track record of peer reviewed journal publications
- Ambition to apply for research grants
- Ambition to establish inter/cross-disciplinary collaborations
- Ability to think critically and independently, e.g., demonstrated through track record of developing own scientific ideas
- Enthusiasm and motivation to purse complex scientific projects
- Excellent organisational and time-management skills
- Teaching experience
- Ambition to involve stakeholder communities in the research process.
- Experience in working with clinical records databases.
Downloading a copy of our Job Description
Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the page. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.
*Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award of their PhDs will be considered. In these circumstances the appointment will be made at Grade 5, spine point 30 with the title of Research Assistant. Upon confirmation of the award of the PhD, the job title will become Research Associate and the salary will increase to Grade 6.
Further information
We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community. We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King\’s. As part of this commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and through this appointment process, it is our aim to develop candidate pools that include applicants from all backgrounds and communities.
We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.
To find out how our managers will review your application, please take a look at our‘How we Recruit’ pages.
Grade and Salary:£45,031 – £52,514 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance
Job ID:122585
Close Date:28-Aug-2025
Contact Person:Dr Charlotte Pretzsch / Professor Declan Murphy
Contact Details:Charlotte.pretzsch@kcl.ac.uk / Declan.murphy@kcl.ac.uk
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Post-doctoral Research Associate in the Department of Forensic & Neurodevelopmental Sciences employer: Kings College London
Contact Detail:
Kings College London Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Post-doctoral Research Associate in the Department of Forensic & Neurodevelopmental Sciences
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the field of neurodevelopment and forensic sciences. Attend relevant conferences or seminars where you can meet researchers from King's College London and discuss your interests and expertise.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the specific datasets mentioned in the job description, such as AIMS-2-TRIALS and the SLAM Image Bank. Understanding these resources will help you demonstrate your readiness to leverage them in your research.
✨Tip Number 3
Engage with current research published by the department. This will not only enhance your understanding of their work but also allow you to reference specific studies or methodologies in conversations with potential colleagues.
✨Tip Number 4
Consider reaching out to the contact persons listed in the job description. A brief email expressing your interest and asking insightful questions about the role can make a positive impression and show your enthusiasm.
We think you need these skills to ace Post-doctoral Research Associate in the Department of Forensic & Neurodevelopmental Sciences
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the specific skills and experiences required for the Post-doctoral Research Associate position. Tailor your application to highlight how your background aligns with their needs.
Craft a Strong Supporting Statement: Your supporting statement should clearly outline how you meet the essential criteria listed in the job advert. Use specific examples from your past research or projects to demonstrate your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Make sure to emphasise any previous experience you have in neuroimaging, data analysis, or related fields. Mention any publications or presentations that showcase your ability to contribute to the department's research goals.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and supporting statement for any errors or inconsistencies. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial in academic roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at Kings College London
✨Know Your Research
Familiarise yourself with the latest research in neurodevelopment and neuroimaging. Be prepared to discuss how your previous work aligns with the department's focus on brain development and pro/antisocial behaviours.
✨Demonstrate Analytical Skills
Highlight your experience with advanced data analysis techniques, such as normative modelling and clustering. Be ready to provide examples of how you've applied these methods in past projects.
✨Showcase Collaboration Experience
Discuss any interdisciplinary collaborations you've been involved in. Emphasise your ability to work within a team and how you can contribute to the analytic team at King's College London.
✨Prepare Thoughtful Questions
Have insightful questions ready about the role, the team, and ongoing projects. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
