Research Associate in the Department of Forensic & Neurodevelopmental Sciences

Job id: 085708. Salary: £43,205 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance.

Posted: 12 March 2024. Closing date: 02 April 2024.

Business unit: IoPPN. Department: Forensic & Neurodevelopmental Sciences.

Contact details:Professor Declan Murphy. [email protected]

Location: Denmark Hill Campus. Category: Research.

An exciting opportunity has arisen in the Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences in the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience for a post-doc to join the world class academic team in neurodevelopmental disorders.  This role will focus on analyses and methods development using MRI (including MRS) from across development to young adulthood. They will contribute to the deliverables of AIMS-2-TRIALS – the world’s largest grant for autism. They will have particular responsibilities for developing methods to analyse brain structure and/or connectivity/and or metabolism from fetal, neonatal, child, adolescent and young adult MRI/MRS data, and its association with neurodevelopmental outcomes including emerging traits linked to autism.

The successful applicants will work as part of an analytic team. You will work closely with Prof Christine Ecker (Frankfurt) and Dr Charlotte Pretzch (KCL) to identify mechanisms underpinning developmental differences in both neurotypical and neurodiverse populations – and especially the role of genetic factors together with  developing approaches to identify and test novel treatments; and the relationship between brain measures (for instance relating Glutamate/GABA from MRS to other proxy measures such as EEG or sensory symptoms). You will also link to work in fetuses/neonates/infants led by Prof Grainne McAlonan, Professor David Edwards, Dr Dafnis Batalle; and to work in sensory domains by Dr Nick Putts.

The successful candidate will support other researchers and PhD students.  They will develop novel scientific questions in brain development and lead on the analysis of specific aspects of translational science depending on their areas of expertise.  It is expected they will also contribute to departmental teaching.

There are two posts available. Both will be offered on full-time, fixed term contracts until 31st May 2027.

• To analyse data using state-of-the-art computational techniques.   
• Identify road-blocks and help to find solutions (with the study leads)
• To ensure that milestones and deliverables are on time – and that scientific findings are being maximally exploited
• To develop and lead on one area of scientific analyses 
• Writing technical reports of the progress of the study
• Teach in the courses delivered by the department.
• Co-supervise MSc Research Projects
• To integrate with the wider Institute and AIMS-2-TRIALS network. 
• To track tasks, deliverables and milestones committed to the EU

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.  

Essential criteria  

1.       A PhD in a relevant subject 

2.       Advanced knowledge of typical neurodevelopment, and neurodevelopmental conditions. 

3.       Advanced knowledge of MRI/MRS analyses techniques and brain-behaviour relationships,  

4.       Advanced data analysis and programming skills. 

5.       Ability to write complex reports and/or scientific publications 

6.       Ambition to apply for research grants 

7.       Emergent track record of peer reviewed journal publications 

8.       Excellent organisational skills 

9.       Experience working in multidisciplinary teams 

10.     Developing a public/conference speaking record 

Desirable criteria

1.       Teaching experience 

2.       Analysing fetal/neonatal neuroimaging data. 

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.

This post is subject to Disclosure and Barring Service and Occupational Health clearance.