Research Associate

We are seeking an outstanding scientist for a 3.5 year Research Associate post exploring the use of Targeted Memory Reactivation in sleep to alleviate depression.  This post relates to an extremely exciting 5 year research project in which we are developing novel treatments for depression and PTSD through the manipulation of memory in sleep.  This post will focus on the triggering of positive memories in sleep in order to improve low mood.  We hope to use wearable devices and perform much of this work at home, but some experiments may also be lab based (and require overnight working).

This project is funded by the Wellcome Trust on a multi center grant lead by Penny Lewis, who specializes in the study of what sleep does to our memories, and is based at the Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC). The post-holder will join a team of researchers including Depression researcher (and Consultant Psychiatrist) Neil Harrison, PTSD specialist (and Consultant Psychiatrist) Jon Bisson at the Welsh National Center for Mental Health (NCMH), and Tim Denison, who leads a team of research engineers who have developed the wearable device which we will use in this project.   

Cardiff University’s Brain Research Imaging Centre is one of the best equipped neuroscience institutes in Europe, housing 3 MRI scanners, including a 7T and a Connectom scanner, a MEG, EEG labs, a brain stimulation lab, and of course the state of the art sleep lab.  The Welsh National Center for Mental Health is right next door. The Neuroscience and Psychology of Sleep (NaPS) group is housed within CUBRIC, and conducts world-leading research on the impacts of sleep on cognitive processes. 

This position is full-time, 35 hours per week and fixed term for a period of 3.5 years (from start date). 

Salary: £39,347 - £44,263 per annum, (Grade 6).  Please note that it is not expected that we will appoint above grade 6.32, currently £39,347 per annum. 

Closing date: Thursday, 23 November 2023

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds.  We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at:  Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University

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