Postdoctoral Scientist - MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit - MA/327

Open Date
03/10/2016, 14:00
Close Date
06/11/2016, 23:55
MRC Cognition & Brain Sciences Unit
The MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit (CBSU) is an internationally renowned institute for research in cognitive neuroscience.
UK Research and Innovation is a new entity that brings together nine partners to create an independent organisation with a strong voice for research and innovation, more information can be found at www.ukri.org

MRC - 4
Cambridge
£27,355 - £30,974
Permanent
Science
Full Time

Overall purpose:

To conduct cognitive neuroscience experiments on memory, attention, and cognitive control in the context of an ongoing research programme led by Dr Anderson at the Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit (CBSU). The primary objective of this position is to devise, implement, analyse and report behavioural and functional imaging studies of memory, and memory control using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), EEG, and Magnetoencephalography (MEG) in both healthy and clinical populations. Studies of memory control in neuropsychological and clinical populations will also be conducted with an eye towards (a) testing the relevance of this work to clinical disorders in the ability to control unwanted memories and thoughts and (b) developing interventions aimed at improving memory control in clinical samples.

Main duties / key responsibilities:

The duties of the post-holder are to plan, conduct and evaluate neuro-imaging and behavioural experiments on human memory and attentional control, including

- Planning of experiments.

- The preparation of investigations (formulating instruction sheets, caring for volunteer payment).

- Stimulus preparation, including recording, selecting, adjusting and evaluating stimulus materials.

- Applying experimental procedures

- Liaising with technical and computing staff to obtain equipment and materials.

- Liaising with the Subject Panel and, where necessary, with outside bodies, eg user organisations  or collaborators, to recruit subjects.

- Running experiments, making relevant observations and collecting data in collaboration with lab technicians.

- Monitoring the welfare of experimental subjects.

- Statistical analysis of behavioural and imaging data using specialized analysis software.

- Localizing neurophysiological activity in the brain during cognitive tasks using imaging methods.

- Presenting results of data evaluation to groups of scientists at CBSU and external collaborators.

- Reporting results of experiments at scientific conferences.

- Preparing the details of experimental and analysis procedures applied and discussion of results and implications for publication.

- Preparing diagrams/graphics.

- Writing scientific publications, including the possibility of first-author leadership.

- Training other scientists from within and outside the unit in the methods we use.

Imaging experiments will use fMRI, EEG, and/or MEG to characterize the neural systems underlying memory or cognitive control, with an eye towards developing a multi-level integrative model for how people control unwanted memories that will be of relevance to understanding clinical phenomena. The research may also include behavioural and imaging experiments with special populations, including participants with neurological or clinical disorders and neurostimulation techniques such as TMS.

Working relationships:

The post holder’s line manager is Michael Anderson

The post-holder collaborates with technical, administrative, research and support staff at the Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit and as necessary, external collaborators involved with the specified research programme.

The post-holder will contribute to the supervision and teaching of more junior staff (RAs, PhD students)

 

 

Education / Qualifications / Training required:

Essential:

PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience or a related area (either awarded or about to submit).

Experience with neuroimaging data analysis.


Previous work experience required:

Essential:

Experience with neuroimaging techniques (fMRI, DTI, MEG/EEG)

Participant testing

Behavioural tasks used to quantify cognitive processes.

Writing up research for publication (first and joint authorship)

Desirable:

Presenting research in public (oral / poster presentations at conferences)

Public understanding and science communication

Supervising more junior colleagues (students/assistants)

Experience interacting with clinical populations.


Knowledge and experience:

Essential:

Experience in paradigm design, data analysis and interpretation in cognitive neuroscience

Standard office software (Word, Excel, Powerpoint)

Statistical software (e.g. SPSS/Matlab)

A good and efficient writer, as evidenced by success at first-authored paper writing

Desirable:

Experience in the cognitive neuroscience of long-term memory, cognitive control, or clinical disorders of memory; or affective control, reward systems, attention.

Interest in Clinical Psychiatric populations, such as PTSD.

Computer programming in Matlab, Visual Basic, C or similar.

Designing (including programming) computer-based cognitive tests, e.g., Eprime, Presentation.

Functional imaging analysis (e.g. SPM, FSL)

Specific experience in multivariate fMRI analysis techniques Specific experience with MR Spectroscopy

Specific experience with real time neurofeedback

Experience with computational modelling.


Personal skills/behaviours/qualities:

Essential:

Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues and volunteers

Working in scientific teams


 



The MRC is a great place to work and progress your career, be it in scientific research or the support functions.The MRC is a unique working environment where our researchers are rewarded by world class innovation and collaboration opportunities that the MRC name brings. The MRC is an excellent place to develop yourself further and a range of training & development opportunities will be available to you, including professional registration with the Science Council.

Choosing to come to work at the MRC (part of UKRI) means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme and excellent holiday entitlement to access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme, as well as the chance to put the MRC and UKRI on your CV in the future.

Our success is dependent upon our ability to embrace diversity and draw on the skills, understanding and experience of all our people. We welcome applications from all sections of the community irrespective of gender, race, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, disability or age. As "Disability Confident" employers, we guarantee to interview all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.

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We will conduct a full and comprehensive pre-employment check as an essential part of the recruitment process on all individuals that are offered a position with UKRI. This will include a security check and an extreme organisations affiliation check.  The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role.  UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

This opportunity is closed to applications.