Research Assistant/Postdoctoral Research Associate (Fixed Term)

Research Assistant or Research Associate, MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit 

The Digital Mental Health Group at the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit is an innovative and collaborative research group studying the intersection between adolescent mental health, cognitive neuroscience, and digital technologies with the aim of improving mental health outcomes in both non-clinical and clinical populations. We are based at the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, a world-leading research centre well-known for its close-knit community, collaborative atmosphere, and outstanding research support. 

Overview:

We are seeking a Research Assistant or Research Associate with experience in computational approaches to join our team full-time to help us produce high-quality research. 

In this job, you will be responsible for completing a research project fitting reinforcement learning models to social media behavioural data (see https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-19607-x for an example). Specifically, we are interested in how sensitivity to social rewards on social media changes in times of social isolation (e.g., during the COVID-19 pandemic, see also https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/ndt9k). In addition to this project, you will be involved in delivering a range of team projects using similar methods (see https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/f5cjv for our current perspective), and fitting a range of computational models to behavioural data collected in experimental settings (e.g., Bayesian hierarchical models). 

The post holder should be available to start in September or October 2024 for a duration of twelve months. You can apply if you can only start the post later, but this will decrease the length of your contract and will be considered in recruitment.

We will interview for the role on the 15th of August 2024. 

For the complete essential and desirable criteria please see the job specification provided as part of the application pack. 

We encourage applicants from backgrounds traditionally marginalised and/or under-represented in the field. Further, please do not be discouraged from applying if your current CV is not a 'perfect fit'. This job could suit someone from a range of different backgrounds, and there is great scope for the right applicant to develop the role and make it their own. If you think that this might be the role for you, please write and tell us why. 

If you have any informal enquiries please feel free to contact Dr Amy Orben: amy.orben@mrc-cbu.cam.ac.uk 

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 1 years in the first instance. 

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click the 'Apply' button above.

Please ensure that you outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role on the online application form. 

Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager. 

Please quote reference SU42657 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy. 

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. 

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.