Research Associate in Computational Neuroscience

Location: South Kensington

About the role:

The post of Research Associate (post-doctoral) will conduct research in data analysis and computational modelling of neuroimaging data, as part of a project titled “The Self, Unbound: Neurofeedback-assisted Meditation for Eliciting Transformative Self-Dissolution Experiences” in collaboration with international partners. The project seeks to build fundamental neuroscientific and computational knowledge to develop a neurofeedback system to increase well-being following continued meditation practice.

The post will be based in the Department of Computing at Imperial College London at the South Kensington Campus. The Department of Computing is a leading department of Computer Science in the UK and the world and has consistently been awarded the highest research rating. In the 2021 REF assessment, the Department claimed the top spot for computer science and informatics. In the latest QS World University Rankings, Imperial College London was recognised as the top university in Europe and the top 2 globally.

What you would be doing:

The team at Imperial College London is specifically tasked with finding the optimal biomarkers of meditative and transformative experiences, and to develop a biologically interpretable computational model that recapitulates experimental results. The candidate will undertake research both with computer simulations of brain activity and with real neuroimaging data from subjects performing meditation and in a variety of Altered States of Consciousness (ASCs). Prior experience with analysis and modelling of neural data is essential, as well as expertise in theories of complex systems applied to brain activity.

The successful candidate will collaborate with Dr Pedro Mediano Calvin Tsay in the Department of Computing, with members of Dr Mediano’s Machine Intelligence and Neural Dynamics laboratory, and with the rest of collaborators in the project.

In addition to presenting research in top computational neuroscience, complex systems, machine learning, and/or neuroimaging venues, the Research Assistant/Associate will be expected to contribute towards developing, documenting, and maintaining software and modelling tools related to this project.

Further information on the research of Dr Mediano, as well as the pre-registered study can be found at https://www.doc.ic.ac.uk/~pam213 and https://osf.io/s4rja/ respectively.

What we are looking for:

• Research Associate A PhD (or be close to completion) in an area pertinent to the subject area, i.e. Computer Science, Neuroscience, Psychology, Complexity Science*.
• A proven track record of publications in top conferences or journals in the field.
• Experience in neuroimaging data analysis and modelling.
• Strong knowledge of complex systems approaches to neuroscience and of computational brain modelling techniques.
• Experience writing and publishing academic papers.

Please see job description for a full list of requirements.

*Candidates who not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be hired at Research Assistant level: salary scale £43,003 - £46,297 per annum.

Further Information

To apply please click the 'Apply' button, above.

In addition to completing the online application candidates should attach: 

• A full CV, with a list of all publications
• A 1-page research statement indicating what you see are interesting research issues relating to the above post and why your expertise is relevant.

For informal enquiries about the position please email:

Dr Pedro Mediano: p.mediano@imperial.ac.uk

For queries regarding the application process contact:

Jamie Perrins: j.perrins@imperial.ac.uk

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