Research Assistant in Psychology/Computer Science

Location: London, Devon House (St Katherines Dock)

Term: Fixed term: One Year (Full-time)

Direct Reports: Research Assistant in Psychology/Cognitive Science

Reports to: Dimitris Mylonas

Benefits: The university supports staff maintaining a good work/life balance, offer flexible working and parental leave opportunities, an Employee Assistance Programme which provides free, confidential advice on both home and work concerns as well as optional private medical insurance, season ticket loans and being part of the cycle to work scheme.

Start: April 2026

The Role

Northeastern University London invites applications for a Research Assistant (RA) in Psychology/Cognitive Science. The successful candidate will work on the “Cones-to-Words” research project. The project investigates colour communication under diverse viewing conditions and across languages. By combining behavioural methods with machine learning, it aims to develop physiologically-based models of lexical colour categorisation. This is a multidisciplinary project with practical applications.

The successful candidate will join the research team at the Northeastern University London campus near St Katharine’s Dock, led by Dr Dimitris Mylonas (Principal Investigator, NU London). They will join a multidisciplinary team of experts in machine learning and colour vision, including Professor Alexandros Koliousis (NU London), Professor Rhea T. Eskew (NU Boston), and Professor Andrew Stockman (UCL), as well as with technical support staff. As part of a friendly team of graduate researchers, the candidate will interact with PhD students and will be assisted by a Post-Doctoral Research Associate. Preference may be given to candidates with active interests in one or more of the following areas: colour vision, machine learning, computer vision, and virtual reality.

The core duties of the RA will include: (i) participant recruitment and on-site data collection; (ii) data transcription, clearing, and pre-processing. The lab-based experiments will involve behavioural testing on calibrated desktop monitors and in Virtual Reality (VR). Depending on previous experience and personal interests, the RA may also be included in: (i) data analysis of on-site and online (colornaming.net) experiments; (ii) implementation and evaluation of machine learning models; (iii) designing of VR environments (Unreal) and VR programming; (iv) eye-tracking data analysis.

We particularly encourage applications from those belonging to groups underrepresented in UK higher education. We are open to appointing on a reduced fraction/job-share basis, subject to our business needs.

About the Faculty

The recently formed Faculty of Computing, Mathematics, Engineering, and Natural Sciences (CoMENS) is undergoing significant growth at Northeastern University London. It is home to four interdisciplinary undergraduate dual-degree (in UK and US) programmes in the areas of Data Science, Data Science and Politics, Computer Science and Business, and Computer Science and Philosophy; four postgraduate programs in the areas of AI Ethics, Data Science, Computer Science, and Technology Leadership; and five degree apprenticeship programmes in the areas of AI, Data Science, Digital and Technology Solutions, and Biosciences.

The Faculty plays a major part in Northeastern University’s first-year student mobility program, offering undergraduate courses in Computer and Data Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Physics, Biology, Chemistry and Healthcare, striving to inspire and equip entering students to be outstanding scientists.

About the University

Founded in 2012, Northeastern University London (formerly known as New College of the Humanities) has established itself as a prestigious higher education institution based in the heart of London. Northeastern University London is part of Northeastern University’s Global Campus Network. Positioned as top top-ranked in the USA, Northeastern has campuses in Arlington, Boston, Charlotte, Miami, Oakland, San Jose, and Seattle in the USA, and Toronto and Vancouver in Canada.

After becoming part of Northeastern University’s global network in early 2019, the University has undergone a period of rapid growth, having been granted Taught Degree Awarding Powers in February 2020 and moving to a new, state-of-the-art campus in 2021. Northeastern University London offers a vibrant, collegiate community delivering broad and academically rigorous degree programmes, designed to equip graduates with the combination of skills and knowledge that are increasingly desired by organisations, employers, and society. It offers state of the art audio audiovisual technology in its teaching and meeting spaces across the organisation.

Person Specification Criteria

To undertake this role, the following should apply: if you do not have the experience below, please highlight where transferable skills would assist you in undertaking the role.

Qualifications

• Master’s or bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Computer Science, Cognitive Science, Human Colour Vision, Virtual Reality, Computational Neuroscience, Computer Vision or related quantitative field.

Key Criteria

• Experience in conducting experiments with human participants
• Programming skills in Python and/or MATLAB
• Excellent time-management and organisational skills
• Excellent written and verbal interpersonal communication skills

Additional skills

• Familiarity with programming and design in Virtual Reality software like Unreal
• Knowledge of computational models of human colour vision
• Machine learning
• Knowledge of Web languages
• Experience conducting and/or analysing eye-tracking data
• Demonstrated ability to plan, execute, and publish research

Additional Information

Enquiries

Informal enquiries may be made to Dr Dimitris Mylonas, Primary Investigator of the Cones-to-Words project (dimitris.mylonas@nulondon.ac.uk). However, all applications must be made in accordance with the application process specified.

Application Process

Applications should be made via the 'Apply' button above by 23:59 on 26 January 2026. Please reference your application “R137855”. Participation in the equal opportunities section is encouraged, but voluntary.

Applications must include a CV and a covering letter of no more than one page that addresses the criteria for the role. References will only be sought for short-listed candidates.

Interviews are expected to take place between the 1st of February and the 28th of February 2026.

The panel will be shortlisting for this position on a rolling basis, so please apply as soon as possible. We reserve the right to close this post before the closing date if we receive a large number of applications.

Please note this role may require a basic or enhanced DBS check. Our organisation acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard, protect and promote the welfare of our students and staff, and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice and Ofsted requirements. You must adhere to the above if you are offered a role with NU London.

Applications are welcome from all sections of the community and will be judged on merit alone. We welcome applications from underrepresented groups. Candidates must be able to demonstrate their eligibility to work in the UK in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006.

Job sponsorship. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.