Research Associate

Contract type: Fixed term from 1st June 2024 to 30th November 2026

We are looking to appoint a computational/experimental neuroscientist to a research project funded by the UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. You will contribute to an ambitious new project that seeks to generate New Network Analysis Tools for elucidating the functional logic of 3D vision circuits of the Drosophila brain. This research project (supported by joint NSF funding also awarded to Professor Aurel Lazar’s laboratory at Columbia University, New York) will be undertaken at the University of Sheffield.

Applicants must have a PhD (or equivalent experience) in applied mathematics or computational/experimental neuroscience, along with experience in software engineering, artificial intelligence, neural network simulation, designing behavioural paradigms to test the visual capabilities of insects, and building/optimising scientific instruments/arenas for behavioural recordings. Proven experience in behavioural and experimental neuroscience, including high-speed video recording and the analysis of insect behaviour in both free and constrained paradigms, as well as deep knowledge of insect vision research, compound eye optics and active sampling, are also essential.

We’re one of the best not-for-profit organisations to work for in the UK. The University’s Total Reward Package includes a competitive salary, a generous Pension Scheme and annual leave entitlement, as well as access to a range of learning and development courses to support your personal and professional development.

We build teams of people from different heritages and lifestyles from across the world, whose talent and contributions complement each other to greatest effect. We believe diversity in all its forms delivers greater impact through research, teaching and student experience.

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