Research Assistant: Cognitive Neuroscience

Location: Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Oxford OX3 7JX

The University of Oxford is a stimulating work environment, which enjoys an international reputation as a world-class centre of excellence. Our research plays a key role in tackling many global challenges, from reducing our carbon emissions to developing vaccines during a pandemic.

The Department of Psychiatry is based on the Warneford Hospital site in Oxford – a friendly, welcoming place of work with an international reputation for excellence. The Department has a substantial research programme, with major funding from Medical Research Council (MRC), Wellcome Trust and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and provides highly rated medical training in psychiatry. The Head of Department is Professor Belinda Lennox.

This is an exciting opportunity for a research assistant to support the delivery and coordination of the SHINE study, a multi-modal research programme investigating the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease through behavioural, electrophysiological, and neuroimaging approaches, including EEG, MEG, and MRI, involving healthy older adults and individuals with cognitive impairment.

What We Offer

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days annual leave
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Cycle loan scheme
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans
• Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs

About the Role

The post is funded until 30 June 2027 and is based in the Department of Psychiatry at the Warneford Hospital.  

You will support the coordination and delivery of participant-based research activities within the SHINE study, including participant screening and scheduling, preparation and implementation of study procedures, and the organisation of research documentation and records. You will be involved in conducting behavioural, cognitive, electrophysiological, and neuroimaging assessments with healthy participants and individuals with cognitive impairment, while ensuring that all research activities are carried out in accordance with established protocols, Good Clinical Practice, and ethical requirements. You will also contribute to the selection and adaptation of research methodologies and support the day-to-day management of research and administrative activities within the study.

About You

You will hold a first degree in psychology, cognitive neuroscience, or a related area of science, together with relevant research experience. You will have experience working within participant-based research settings and sufficient specialist knowledge to work within established cognitive neuroscience research programmes. Experience working with older adults, including individuals with cognitive impairment, and experience collecting behavioural, EEG, MRI, or MEG data would be desirable.

Diversity

Committed to equality and valuing diversity

Our active Psychiatry People and Culture teams  and initiatives including our values and behaviours framework, work to make the Department of Psychiatry as supportive, welcoming and inclusive as possible.

Application Process

You will be required to upload a covering letter/supporting statement, CV and the details of two referees as part of your online application. Please see the University pages on the application process at https://www.jobs.ox.ac.uk/application-process

The closing date for applications is 3 July 2026.

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