Research Assistant in Primate Cognition

About the Role

This post will support research related to a Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) research fellowship (to Dr Yuri Kawaguchi). The primary task is to conduct eye-tracking studies in macaques, which will involve training, experimental design and data collection. The research will be conducted at the Medical Research Council Centre for Macaques (CFM), which is a breeding facility of rhesus macaques located in Salisbury, UK. The post will also provide support for other small or pilot projects in need of research support.

You will be investigating how primates perceive and respond to infants, combining cutting-edge cognitive testing with real-world behavioural data. The findings will be used to develop non-invasive tools that can predict how individuals will interact with infants, ultimately informing breeding management and enhancing welfare standards in captive colonies. The aim of the project is to understand the mechanisms of individual differences in parenting as fundamental rules of life and also as a means to improve animal welfare.

You will need to have experience working with animals in a captive setting, ideally using experimental, cognitive and/or behavioural research techniques and quantitative observational methods. You will be based in Salisbury but will need to travel to Nottingham to meet with the team regularly (travel costs will be provided).

For more details, please take a look at the role profile. We'll still consider applications even if you don't meet every single one of the requirements, so don't be put off if you don't match them perfectly. For any informal queries about the role or the team, please contact Dr Yuri Kawaguchi (BBSRC Research Fellow: yuri.kawaguchi@ntu.ac.uk) or Professor Bridget Waller (BBSRC mentor: bridget.waller@ntu.ac.uk)

This role is subject to the successful candidate meeting the required level of security clearance. Eligibility will depend on individual circumstances and vetting outcomes.

About Us

NTU Psychology is recognised nationally and internationally for delivering theoretically informed and applied research. Within the UK we are the largest provider of full-time undergraduate degrees in psychology. Our pre-covid NSS scores for overall satisfaction was above 90% for eight years and since covid have been ahead of the sector average and sector benchmarks. We provide a learning experience of the highest quality to our students and pride ourselves as being at the forefront of sector innovations in teaching and learning. As a department we have co-written the introductory Essential Psychology textbook for SAGE, recently completing the 4th edition.

Our excellence is recognised internationally, with the recent QS 2023 World University rankings, putting us in the top 150 departments for psychology worldwide. At NTU Psychology we are committed to quality, diversity and inclusion and have achieved Athena SWAN recognition at the department level. 

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