Research Assistant (fixed term)

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a research assistant/postdoctoral researcher within the Academic Unit, Mental Health and Clinical Neurosciences in the Auditory Cortical Circuits Lab (University of Nottingham). The lab, led by Dr Sollini, is focussed on understanding how auditory neural circuits change after hearing-loss. In response to hearing-loss the auditory system attempts to reorganise itself to improve our ability to hear, but these changes may in fact impair our hearing (and give rise to a range of health problems, including: Tinnitus and Dementia). The purpose of this role is to study the impact of hearing-loss on auditory neural circuits using techniques such as: optogenetics, chemogenetics and in-vivo electrophysiology (training provided). 

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual with a keen interest (or prior experience) in performing neurosurgery and making neural recordings in rodents. The role is suited to candidates looking to gain experience in advanced neurophysiology techniques (opto/chemogenetics and Neuropixels recordings) who are either: 1) looking to gain experience in neurophysiology before applying for a PhD or 2) looking for their first postdoctoral role.

You will manage, plan and conduct research with Dr Sollini’s leadership, resolve problems that arise, write up your research findings and work closely with other people within the lab. There is also the potential to present your work at conferences and to develop future funding applications. Tasks will include anaesthetising mice (to allow hearing-loss induction via noise exposure), performing health checks, intracranial injections of viral vector (to allow optogenetic/chemogenetic manipulation), electrophysiological experiments (single cell neurophysiology) and histology/imaging. 

You will be based in Dr Sollini’s lab in Hearing Sciences at the University Park Campus in Nottingham. Overall, Hearing Sciences contains sixteen research teams and is known for the breadth of its methodological expertise, including neuroscience, psychology, audiology, medicine, patient and public involvement, policy & priority setting, and digital intervention development. Research in Hearing Sciences is also supported by high-quality Operations, Research Delivery, and Clinical Research teams. You will have many opportunities to interact with everyone across the teams.

The University of Nottingham provides generous employment packages whilst supporting the well-being of our staff to help them reach their full potential. As a university employee, you will have an excellent choice of benefits and rewards, including access to fitness and health facilities, staff discounts and travel schemes, along with a competitive holiday allowance and a highly attractive pension scheme. The University of Nottingham is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. As a member of the team, you will be expected to strive for excellence, behave professionally/ethically, respect other staff members and help to create an environment of inclusivity.

The post will be offered on a full-time (36.25 hours per week), fixed-term contract, available from 1 August 2025 until 31 July 2026. 

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Joseph Sollini (joseph.sollini@nottingham.ac.uk). Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.

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