WAND Research Associate: Multimodal scanning and analysis

12402BR

School of Psychology

Research

Advert

WAND Research Associate: Multimodal scanning and analysis

The Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), in the School of Psychology, seeks an enthusiastic scientist to join a large team of researchers on a Wellcome-funded Strategic Award entitled “Multi-Scale and Multi-Modal Coupling in the Healthy and Diseased Brain”.   The postholder will be involved in data collection from healthy participants, and patients with schizophrenia and epilepsy, using a range of MRI scanners (7T, Connectom, 3T Prisma) and magnetoencephalography, as well as cognitive assessment.

The postholder will be located the Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC - http://sites.cardiff.ac.uk/cubric ), which houses a Siemens ‘Connectom’ system (with 300 mT/m gradients), 7T MRI, 2 x 3T Prisma systems, MEG and EEG, alongside brain stimulation and cognitive testing laboratories.
It is strongly recommended that interested candidates arrange for an informal chat with Krish  Singh ([email protected] )  or Derek Jones ([email protected] )  prior to submitting an application

This post is full-time, fixed-term until 11 June 2023 and available immediately.

Salary: £34,304 - £40,927 per annum (Grade 6).  It is not expected to appoint above £34,304 per annum, salary point 33.
Date advert posted: Thursday, 30 September 2021

Closing Date: Sunday, 17 October 2021
This post has previously been advertised to employees of Cardiff University only.  We now invite external applications.

Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

“Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/research/our-research-environment/integrity-and-ethics/responsible-research-assessment”

Job Description

Main function

To assist with data collection and analysis on a large multimodal neuroimaging project funded by Wellcome, to study a cohort of healthy volunteers and people with psychosis and epilepsy using MEG, MRI and cognitive assessment.
In addition, to contribute to the overall research performance of CUBRIC, the School and University, carrying out research leading to high-quality journal publications. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Research

• To conduct research within the field of multimodal neuroimaging, using MEG and MRI, as part of a large multi-research research programme, funded by Wellcome
  (see: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/cardiff-university-brain-research-imaging centre/research/projects/multi-scale-and-multi-modal-assessment-of-coupling-in-the-healthy-and-diseased-brain)
• Perform MEG and MRI scanning of healthy participants, and people with schizophrenia and epilepsy.
• Perform cognitive testing of participants
• Contribute to data management and analysis of the project data using standardised pipelines.
• Liaise with other researchers to ensure the integrated aims of the research grant are achieved, including contributing to high-quality peer-reviewed research publications.
• To attend the regular project team meetings, presenting results and contributing to discussion.
• To attend and or present at conferences/seminars at a local and national level as required.
• To undertake administrative and management tasks associated with the research project.
• To participate in School research activities.

• To undergo appropriate and relevant personal and professional development training.
• To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world

• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria
Qualifications and Education

Postgraduate degree at PhD level (or nearing completion / submission) in a related subject area or relevant industrial experience
Knowledge, Skills and Experience

An established expertise and proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience within the following research fields:

• Magnetoencephalography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) acquisition
• Data analysis and/or modelling of neuroimaging data

Experience of running both task and resting paradigms in MEG and MRI, including the integration of stimulus/response packages with the scanner environment.

Experienced user of Unix-related operating systems, including management of complex neuroimaging datasets in this environment.

Experience of one or more common analysis packages for neuroimaging data e.g. (FSL, SPM, Fieldtrip).

Understanding of issues around safety, ethics and data quality in neuroimaging research.

Knowledge of the status of research in this specialist field.
Communication and Team Working

Proven ability to effectively communicate research, both written and orally.

Other

Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team-working within work.

Proven ability to work without close supervision.
Desirable Criteria
Experience of MEG scanning using the CTF Omega 275 Channel system
Experience of MRI scanning using current-generation Siemens scanners at 3T or above.
Experience of scanning patients e.g., people with Schizophrenia or Epilepsy.
Experience of cognitive testing.

Additional Information

Evidencing Criteria - It is School of Psychology’s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing. Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable. As part of the application process you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement. Please ensure when submitting this document/attaching it to your application profile you name it with the vacancy reference number.
If candidates do not provide written evidence of meeting all the essential criteria then their application will not be progressed.

Cardiff School of Psychology

We are recognised internationally for sustained excellence in research, impact and research-led teaching. We are a large School with over 50 academic staff, over 600 undergraduates and 150 postgraduate students. In the last assessment the School attained the highest rating of ‘excellent’ for its teaching from the HEFCW Teaching Quality Assessment Panel.
Many individuals in the School are leading figures in their research areas. In the last Research Excellence Framework we entered as a unit of over 80 staff with our colleagues in Psychological medicine. We were placed 2nd in our topic area across the UK. We have state of the art laboratories and experimental expertise across the range of psychology, and are currently building one of the largest and best equipped imaging centres in Europe (see: sites.cubric.cardiff.ac.uk).
Our collective aim is to understand the psychological and biological foundations of behaviour at both individual and group levels. The research undertaken in the School ranges from 'synapse to society', and includes normal behaviour in development and adulthood, the breakdown of cognition after stress, trauma and in neurological and/or genetic conditions, as well as key psychological issues of broad importance to society, such as prejudice, reproductive health and understanding risk. The School also contributes to cross-disciplinary University Research Institutes in Neuroscience and Mental Health, Sustainable Places, and Energy Systems Research.

Job Category

Academic - Research