Post-doctoral Researcher - Birkbeck, University of London

Vacancy Reference Number

372802

Closing Date

18 Dec 2018

Salary

£37,912 to £43,333

Address

Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London

We are seeking to recruit a post-doctoral research assistant to conduct an exciting new Welcome Trust funded project that combines machine-learning approaches (Multi-Variate Pattern Analysis, MVPA) with electroencephalography (EEG) recordings of school age children (8-13yrs) and adults whilst they participate in a series of face-processing tasks. Despite the critical importance of rapid, accurate face processing the development of these abilities remains hotly debated. Our newest outcomes adopt a robust, individual participant approach to this analysis, which has allowed us to pinpoint neural markers associated with early maturation of face expertise at single participant level in children, adults and individuals with Williams’ syndrome. In this project we will expand our findings to more complex face processing tasks and directly relate behavioural decisions with neuronal activation.

This research is led by Dr Marie Smith and the position is offered for a fixed term of 8months. The post will be held at Birkbeck College, University of London. As a team (Dr Marie Smith & Dr Ines Mares, Birkbeck College; Dr Fraser Smith & Dr Louise Ewing, University of East Anglia) we have considerable experience in all aspects of the project with combined expertise in face processing, development, MVPA methods and the practical aspects of child recruitment and testing with EEG. Note that most of the testing and analysis pipelines are largely already in place and we expect that the candidate will be able to hit the ground running and commence testing very early in the post.

You will be responsible for running the experiments as set out in the grant in our central London child friendly testing lab. Experiments will involve behavioural and EEG/ERP methodologies, as well as coding and analysing data from these measures. Data analysis will be conducted using MATLAB and although it is not essential that you are an expert with this software on application, a willingness to learn and ability to do so is important for this post. Previous experience with EEG/ERPs and/or MVPA is also an advantage but not strictly necessary as full training will be provided.

You should have attained an MSc or ideally a PhD in Psychology or a related discipline or be nearing completion of the above. You should be enthusiastic, well-motivated and be able to work independently and as part of a collaborative research team.

As much as possible we work to the principles of open science and reproducibility and hope that you will also advocate for this.

The Department of Psychological Sciences at Birkbeck is an internationally leading research institution in the fields of brain and cognitive development, cognitive neuroscience, cognitive modelling and is a centre of vibrant research and teaching. In the two most recent Research Assessment Exercises (2008, 2012), the department was ranked 5th in the UK for the excellence of its research. Dr. Marie Smith is also affiliated with the internationally renowned Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development (CBCD), which focuses on brain and psychological development in typically and atypically developing individuals from infancy to adolescence using behavioural testing, behaviour genetics and brain imaging methods.

Enquiries
Informal enquires on the role can be made to Dr Marie Smith, via email: marie.smith@bbk.ac.uk.

For more information and to apply, click here

Contact Details

Dr Marie Smith: marie.smith@bbk.ac.uk