Research Fellow in Social Learning

About us

The Language and Cognition Laboratory (PI: Gabriella Vigliocco) provides a dynamic interdisciplinary research environment. Using tools from psychology, cognitive neuroscience and computational modelling, our research focuses on the cognitive and neurobiological basis of human communication. The lab is set within the department of Experimental Psychology at UCL. The Experimental Psychology Department offers a world leading research environment aimed at understanding the psychological and biological basis of behaviour. UCL is London’s leading multidisciplinary University, ranked second for research power in the UK (REF 2021).

About the role

The post is an opportunity for a cognitive scientist to develop experience in managing, integrating, visualising, analysing and modelling different types of audio-visual data (acoustic, linguistic, gestural and gaze) associated with human communication; to combine naturalistic and experimental methods in cross-cultural research and to contribute to a growing body of literature on the role of social interaction in learning. More specifically, the role involves: (1) pre-processing and analyses of data from an audio-visual corpus previously collected in the lab (ECOLANG) and corresponding data management (including data archiving for public distribution). (2) Designing, conducting, as well as supervising the conduction, and analysing new experiments with dyads of participants across different languages (English, Arabic, Chinese and Italian). (3) Collaborate with the PI and co-Is in developing a new theoretical understanding of learning in social interaction.

A DBS clearance will be required for this position. Salary is offered at £43,374- £45,622.

About you

We are seeking to appoint a Research Fellow in Social Learning. The post holder should have a PhD in Psychology, Linguistics or related fields. They should have Basic programming (R, python) and statistical skills and be committed to high quality research. The experience of designing psycholinguistic, developmental or social psychology experiments would be desirable. Because of the international element of the research, it would be most desirable that the appointed candidate has some acting experience.

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below: • 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days) • Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme • Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE) • Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan • Immigration loan • Relocation scheme for certain posts • On-Site nursery • On-site gym • Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay • Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service • Discounted medical insurance Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.

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