Research Associate (Social Neuroscience using fMRI & TMS)

Role Description

Department

We are looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral research associate to join Dr David Pitcher’s research group in the Department of Psychology at the University of York. The Research Associate would be working on a project funded by the Leverhulme Trust, entitled “Disrupting the emergence of social perception from visual motion cues”. The project examines the neural processes that enable humans to see, understand and interact with the people, places and objects we encounter in the world is a fundamental aim of psychology. One of the experimentally richest theoretical approaches in pursuit of this goal has been to show that the cognitive operations performed in a particular brain area can be deduced (at least partially) by the anatomical connectivity of that area. Models of cognition constrained by neuroanatomical data can map how complex cognition functions are built on the integration of information from primary sensory brain areas. The position is for 48 months and starts on May 1st, 2025.

Role

Based at the University of York, your role would be to assist with all aspects of experimental design, data collection, data analysis. This is a highly technically demanding project that requires the knowledge and skills of an experienced researcher. The researcher will need to be proficient in at least one of the experimental methods (TMS and fMRI). You would work closely together with Dr David Pitcher and other researchers on the project.

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed

• Knowledge in experimental psychology to engage in high quality research
• Knowledge and experience with either TMS or fMRI experimental methodologies (knowledge of both is extremely desirable)
• Has research expertise in an area that will complement and enhance the department's research strategy and goals
• Experience of supervising other researchers (e.g., students or research assistants)
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to write up and present research to a high standard. You will have strengths in individual and collaborative research skills and in the use of statistical packages (using R) to analyse complex datasets.
• Experience of independent and collaborative research, and of writing up research for publication.
• Good attention to detail, commitment to high quality research, a collaborative ethos, and enthusiasm for the research area and project. You should have a positive attitude to, and willingness to work with, colleagues and students. You should have strong planning ability, an ability to meet deadlines, and a commitment to acquiring new knowledge and skills.

Interview date: TBC

For informal enquiries: please contact Dr David Pitcher on David.pitcher@york.ac.uk

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We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University.

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