Research Support Officer (University of Reading)

Vacancy Reference Number
SRF31393
Closing Date
7 Feb 2020
Salary
£30,942 to £40,322 per annum
Address
Reading
Duration
Fixed-Term/Contract

The Centre for Integrative Neuroscience and Neurodynamics (CINN), is seeking to appoint a Research Support Officer. The post holder will play an important role in facilitating cutting-edge research involving a range of brain imaging technologies and techniques, including, MR, EEG, TMS and combined methodologies.

You will have:

  • A PhD in neuroscience, psychology, engineering, computer science or related field
  • Experience in providing technical training and supervision
  • Experience in MRI
  • Experience in Linux platforms, programming and scripting
  • Applied knowledge of electronics, design and implementation of hardware solutions

Purpose: This position is for broad-based research support within a multidisciplinary research centre that draws upon a wide range of technical, methodological and analytic approaches.

The successful candidate will interface between technical and academic staff, and ensure the smooth running of the highly specialised activities conducted in the centre.

Main duties and responsibilities

Collaborate with academic staff and their groups in support of research, including consulting on the appropriateness of the methods, consulting on technical issues, proposing and developing solutions to hardware and software matters related to the suite of technologies within the centre, liaising with other support staff within the School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences and across the University to draw upon other resources available.

Work with the MRI Operations Officer to maintain oversight for brain imaging, behavioural and physiological measurement facilities in the centre, including consumables, licenses and the overall maintenance of the systems, liaising with service providers and manufacturers when needed.

Participate in the organisation and delivery of training, including identifying needs and opportunities, both with regards to the acquisition of data and ensuing analysis.

Develop new MR imaging methods, including new sequences and novel approaches to analyse data, as well as participate in the ongoing development of methods including multi-modal and multipleregistration imaging throughout the centre.

Work closely with other support staff within the Centre and across the University to maintain and organise health and safety policies, including identifying opportunities for improvement and deployment of appropriate procedures.

Maintain oversight and manage access to computing facilities, including liaising with University IT services, ensuring provision for deployment of research, including backup, i/o transmission, and ensuing analysis of data.

Maintain oversight and manage access to high-performance computing facilities (GPU, computing clusters, etc), including liaising with University IT services, and supporting the future development of the hardware and software resource available to the centre.

Supervision received

The Research Support Officer will be supervised by the Director of the research centre. Given the nature of this post, the candidate must be strongly self-motivated and able to work independently. Supervision given. The Research Support Officer, in conjunction with the MRI Operations Manager, will be in charge of training and oversight of all persons with access to the MRI Unit.

Contact

The Research Support Officer will have contact with all users of the MRI Scanning Facility, including researchers, students, study participants, and IT personnel. He/she will have contact with the Director, the management team, and key academics involved in scanning research.

He/she will liaise with Siemens, and suppliers of research instruments, as well as with commercial users of the facility.

Terms and conditions

35 hours a week, some weekend working or shift times will be necessary. Travel to national and international conferences.

This document outlines the duties required for the time being of the post to indicate the level of responsibility. It is not a comprehensive or exhaustive list and the line manager may vary duties from time to time which do not change the general character of the job or the level of responsibility entailed.

Further Information

The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and is a Diversity Champion for Stonewall, the leading LGBT+ rights organisation. Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.

Interview date: 18/02/2020

Contact Details

Informal contact details

Contact role: Director of Imaging
Contact name: Dr Anastasia Christakou
Contact email: a.christakou@reading.ac.uk

Alternative informal contact details

Contact role: Centre Manager
Contact name:Dr Inge Lasser
Contact email: i.lasser@reading.ac.uk