Research Fellow

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £32,348 to £42,155, with potential progression once in post to £44,737

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to April 2024

Role Summary

Postdoctoral Research Fellow - The benefits of regular physical exercise for language, cognition, and brain health in ageing

Applications are invited for a full-time Research Fellow position (start date May 1^st 2023, end date April 30^th 2024) to work at the Centre for Human Brain Health, University of Birmingham (Grade 7.29). The successful candidate will join a team of researchers studying the benefits of regular physical exercise for language, cognition and brain health in ageing. This will be done under direct supervision of Dr. Katrien Segaert (PI) and Dr. Sam Lucas (co-I), and in collaboration with researchers at the University of Agder (Norway). The project is funded by the Norwegian Research Council. 

The project entails a randomized-controlled exercise intervention to investigate how exercise benefits grey matter brain structure (MRI), baseline cerebral blood flow (ASL), brain function (fMRI: tip-of-the-tongue task), cognitive performance (several language production/comprehension tasks, switching, ANT, working memory, processing speed). 

While data-collection for the project has recently been concluded, we are looking for a motivated research fellow with strong (f)MRI data-analysis skills and an interest in ageing to join our team. Main responsibilities will be to conduct data-analyses, prepare manuscripts, contribute to high quality publications as lead author and co-author, and present research findings at conferences. 

The candidate will take part in supervision of research assistants and students and will be an active member of the Centre for Human Brain Health, the School of Psychology and the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Birmingham. 

Person Specification

• A PhD degree (or near to completion) in area of cognitive neuroscience, psychology, or human biology/physiology
• Excellent expertise in f(MRI) analysis
• Strong programming skills
• High level analytical capability
• Experience with statistical analysis of behavioural data (including mixed effects models in R)
• Strong academic writing skills (academic paper(s) published or submitted)
• Strong academic presentations skills (poster or oral presentation)
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Strong organisation and time-management skills
• Cooperative nature and strong teamwork skills, with a willingness to work as part of a large, international, and multi-disciplinary team
• Keen interest in cognitive changes due to healthy ageing

To apply, please upload a cover letter and CV by January 31^st, 2023.

We will interview in two stages. Stage 1: Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed online (expected February 2023). Stage 2: If successful in stage 1, candidates will be invited for a formal interview in person or online (expected end of Feb 2023).

Further information – contact Dr. Katrien Segaert: k.segaert@bham.ac.uk and Dr. Sam Lucas s.j.e.lucas@bham.ac.uk

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the Apply Online button below or visit our careers website; https://edzz.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_6001/requisitions quoting 100944 .

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment
We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working

Advert information