Research Associate - School of Psychology - 107151 - Grade 6 in Birmingham

Position Details

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £33,002 to £35,608. As this vacancy has limited funding the maximum salary that can be offered is Grade 6, salary £34,610.

Grade: 6

Part Time (18.75 working hours per week)

Fixed Term contract 1 year with extension of up to a further (1.5 years)

Closing date: 1st April 2026

UK and International travel may be required for this role.

This role is also open as an internal secondment opportunity which would need to be agreed by your current line manager.

Background

We are seeking a part-time (0.5 FTE) postgraduate research associate (RA) to join the Skilled Action and Memory lab, led by Katja Kornysheva, Associate Professor at the Centre for Human Brain Health and the School of Psychology, University of Birmingham. This position is part of a project funded by a UKRI Future Leadership Fellowship award (£2.2M), “Dissecting the Neural Code for Skilled Action Planning and Coordination”. The lab studies the neural control of skilled movements and aims to develop non-invasive neurotechnology to assist and improve movement control in individuals with movement disorders.

Role Summary

This RA scientist will assist with participant recruitment, data collection, data analysis, ethics and documentation, and helping with administrative tasks related to running the grant. The focus will be on assisting participants recruitment and on operating neuroimaging equipment at the Centre for Human Brain Health (e.g. MRI, MEG, EEG). Local operator training will be provided as required by the CHBH. We encourage candidates from diverse range of backgrounds who have an interest in research on the neural basis of skill learning, motor control and memory to apply.

Main Duties

• Work collaboratively and proactively with a multidisciplinary team of postdocs, PhD students, and external collaborators.
• Assist in the setup and implementation of experiments, including participant recruitment and collection, documentation and ethics application.
• Undertake local operator training for neuroimaging equipment and assist other lab members in acquiring similar skills.
• Operate equipment (e.g., MRI, MEG, EEG) at the Centre for Human Brain Health (CHBH) to aid in data acquisition.
• Support the setup of peripheral equipment for experiments.
• Assist with data analysis and reporting.
• Document experimental procedures and results transparently and accurately.
• Assist in preparing reports or presentations for lab meetings and publications.
• Assist in budgetary monitoring and management, including reporting and procurement.
• Manage lab meeting schedule.
• Assist with stakeholder engagement, developing and maintaining regular contact with internal and external stakeholders to understand requirements, including on social media channels (e.g. LinkedIn).
• Participate in and assist with research visits, training sessions, and conferences with external collaborators.
• Co-supervise research students in the lab (BSc and MSc projects thematically aligned with the research project).

Person Specification

Selection Criteria (Essential):

• BSc or MSc in cognitive neuroscience, experimental/biological psychology, neuroscience, sport and exercise science, or a related discipline.
• Proven experience of in-person data collection involving measurements of human motor control and learning (e.g. motion tracking) AND/OR neuroimaging techniques, including EEG, MEG or fMRI.
• Strong quantitative and office skills.
• Capable of acting on one’s own initiative and solving problems autonomously.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Motivation to contribute to innovative research on neurotechnology and motor control.

Selection Criteria (Desirable):

• Technical skills to support custom-build peripheral equipment for experiments.
• Analytical skills involving measurements of human motor control and learning (e.g. motion tracking) AND/OR neuroimaging techniques, including EEG, MEG or fMRI.
• Experience with social media and the press in the context of science outreach and communication.

Informal enquiries to Katja Kornysheva, email: k.kornysheva@bham.ac.uk

Diversity, Inclusion and Sustainability

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy.