Postdoctoral Research Fellow

The Post

A cross-disciplinary team of researchers led by the University of Stirling, with partners at the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry (Germany) and McMaster University (Canada), are working on a project funded by the Human Frontiers Science Program to investigate the mechanisms that underpin the expression of emotional body odours, such as the smell of fear.

Many species, including humans, produce distinct odors when alarmed, but the mechanisms are barely understood. First, the chemical compounds involved remain unidentified in most species, including humans. Second, the source and mechanisms involved in the release of alarm odor molecules are unknown. The most likely source is the skin microflora, which mediates several other social odors. The project aims to elucidate the chemical and microbial mechanisms that underpin the rapid communication of acute emotion in humans (and, perhaps, other species).

As part of this project, Psychology, Faculty of Natural Sciences is offering a fixed-term (36 months) full-time Postdoctoral Research Fellow position. You will work closely with Professor Roberts to design and implement psychological experiments that induce emotional states in participants, and to assist the other team members in their work to measure changes in the chemistry of body odour and microbial activity as a result of emotional change.

Description of Duties

• Design psychological experiments that induce emotional states in human participants
• Run experiments involving human participants, from recruitment to data collection of mood changes and psychophysiological indicators of arousal
• Ensure that the work is completed with rigour and with due consideration to ethical standards
• Analyse the resulting datasets
• Have regular meetings with team members to track progress, resolve any theoretical, technical, or analytical issues, and discuss dissemination strategies
• Disseminate the findings through publications, conference presentations, and public engagement

Essential Criteria

• PhD in psychology or biology
• Research experience in designing experiments involving human participants, including experience of applying for and obtaining ethical permission for such research
• Demonstrable expertise in analysing quantitative datasets (in SPSS and/or R)
• Desire to work in a cross-disciplinary team
• Proven ability to establish rapport and interact effectively with colleagues

For further information, including a full description of duties, essential criteria and details on how to apply, please see Vacancy details | University of Stirling

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