Research Associate (Fixed Term)

We are looking for a post-doctoral research associate with an interest in understanding and improving perception of speech and other sounds by people who hear through a Cochlear Implant. This is a fixed-term post with funds available for 3 years, funded by the Evelyn Trust.

Many users of Cochlear Implants understand speech in quiet conditions but struggle in noisy situations. This is partly because Cochlear Implants can stimulate too many neurons at once, making it difficult to perceive the fine details in everyone's voices.

The successful candidate will lead a research project evaluating current focusing methods to reduce channel interactions and improve speech perception with Cochlear Implants.

Questions to be addressed are:

• What is the optimal neural excitation pattern for each electrode of a Cochlear Implants so as to minimise channel interactions and improve speech perception?
• What is the best way to achieve that pattern?
• How much does this vary across Cochlear-Implant users?

These questions will be addressed using a series of behavioural and electro-physiological experiments with Cochlear Implant users, as well as comparing the outcomes with predictions from existing computational models of the auditory nerve.

The successful candidate will be working with Dr François Guérit, as well as collaborating with leading scientists at the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit (Dr Robert P. Carlyon, Dr Charlotte Garcia) and the Department of Clinical Neurosciences (Pr Manohar Bance and Pr Deborah Vickers). The successful candidate will be based at the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit (MRC CBU).

The successful candidate will have or be about to receive a PhD in a relevant subject area such as, but not limited to psychology, cognitive neuroscience, engineering, physiology, or audiology. Experience in performing behavioural or EEG experiments, experience in a high-level programming language, and proven willingness and ability to learn new technical skills are essential for this post. See the Further Particulars document for more details.

To apply for this vacancy, you need upload a narrative Curriculum Vitae (CV) alongside your standard CV (full details in the Further Particulars). This will provide a more holistic view of your contributions to research.

This vacancy is being studied as part of the Action Research on Research Culture project (ARRC) (https://www.bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk/research/research-projects/research-culture/).

The ARRC team are investigating the effects of CV format on shortlisting. If you consent to take part in the study the ARRC team will use information from the shortlisting process to understand the impact of different CV formats. The recruiting academic will not be told whether you have joined the study so your choice cannot influence the decision on who to appoint. Further details can be found in the 'Further particulars' document. If you have questions about the ARRC project, please contact: arrcproject@admin.cam.ac.uk

Questions about this vacancy can be addressed to Dr François Guérit, francois.guerit@mrc-cbu.cam.ac.uk.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 3 years in the first instance.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service check (enhanced with adults' barred list). This appointment also requires a Research Passport application.

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

Applicants must have (or be close to obtaining) a PhD.

Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will initially be appointed as a Research Assistant (Grade 5, Point 38 £34,132) moving to Research Associate (Grade 7) upon confirmation of your PhD award.

Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and CV in the Upload section of the online application. The covering letter should outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

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

Closing date: 31st August 2025

Interview date: To be confirmed

Please quote reference SU46552 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.