Research Associate x 2

We have an exciting opportunity for two Postdoctoral Research Associates with a PhD (or nearing completion) in Psychology (or a related field) to co-lead one of two research projects at the Cardiff Babylab. 

The first project, which is funded by a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship awarded to Dr Hana D’Souza, will focus on studying the everyday visual experiences of young children with and without Down syndrome. 

The second project, which is funded by a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship awarded to Dr Dean D’Souza, will focus on using naturalistic and experimental methods to understand how typically developing infants adapt to bilingual environments. 

Both projects will primarily be carried out in participants’ homes using head-mounted cameras to record the children’s visual experiences. 

Additionally, the first project will use eye tracking technology and the second project will use neuroimaging. 

Each post holder will join and co-lead a large team with a diverse range of responsibilities, including research design, participant recruitment, data curation, data sharing, data analysis, and dissemination of results (including manuscript preparation and conference presentations). Training and support will be provided as required.

These positions are particularly suited for those aiming to pursue an independent career in developmental science.

Research Environment
The successful candidates will be based at the Cardiff Babylab in the Cardiff University Centre for Human Developmental Science (CUCHDS). CUCHDS houses some of the most advanced equipment for infant research, including state-of-the-art eye tracking, functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), and magnetoencephalography with optically pumped magnetometers (OPM-MEG). The candidates may also be affiliated with the Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), which is one of the largest and technologically most advanced imaging centres in Europe. Both CUCHDS and CUBRIC are part of the School of Psychology at Cardiff. The School is one of the strongest in the UK for world-leading research in psychology, psychiatry, and neuroscience – e.g., it is ranked 6th in the UK for research power (Research Excellence Framework 2021).

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and strongly encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.

Secondment opportunity welcome - please note for Cardiff University members of staff interested in this post on a secondment basis, permission will need to be sought from your current Line Manager before applying.

In your personal statement, please indicate whether you want to be considered for the first, second, or both projects. Your preference will not impact on the selection process. 

For any queries or an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Dr Dean D’Souza (DSouzaD2@cardiff.ac.uk).

These positions are full-time, 35 hours per week and fixed term for 2 years.

Please note that it is not expected that we will appoint above grade 6 spine point 32, currently £39,347 per annum, pro-rata. 

Closing Date: Thursday, 12 September 2024

This post has previously been advertised to employees of Cardiff University only.  We now invite external applications.

Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

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.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

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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