Research Associate (Bilingualism and Ageing)

Department
We are looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral research associate to join Dr Angela de Bruin’s research group in the Department of Psychology at the University of York. The Research Associate would be working on a project funded by the UKRI Frontier Research Guarantee Funding (for selected ERC starting grants), entitled “Lost For Words: Cognitive Ageing And Language Control In Bilingual Older Adults With And Without Cognitive Impairment”. The goal of the project is to understand how bilingual language use and language control (as used, for example, while switching languages) change with ageing. The project combines interviews and focus groups with experimental paradigms looking at cognitive and neural mechanisms involved in bilingual production and comprehension.

The position initially is for 36 months, with the option to extend for another 21 months. The position would start in November 2024.

Role
Based at the University of York, you would lead a longitudinal study on language and ageing, including both younger and older bilingual adults. You would work closely together with Dr Angela de Bruin and other researchers on the project. Your responsibilities include supervising the project manager working on the project, setting up experiments, surveys, and focus groups, testing participants, analysing data, and disseminating the results through publications, conference presentations, and public engagement activities. As part of the project, you will also work with clinical partners and people with cognitive impairment.

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed

• First degree and PhD (or equivalent experience) in Psychology, Linguistics, Cognitive Neuroscience, or a related discipline.
• Knowledge in experimental psychology and research techniques and methodologies, in particular knowledge of psycholinguistic research on bilingual production and comprehension.
• Experience of running experiments on bilingual language production.
• Experience of supervising other researchers (e.g., students or research assistants).
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to write up and present research to a high standard. You will have strengths in individual and collaborative research skills and in the use of statistical packages (using R) to analyse complex datasets.
• Experience of independent and collaborative research, and of writing up research for publication.
• Good attention to detail, commitment to high quality research, a collaborative ethos, and enthusiasm for the research area and project. You should have a positive attitude to, and willingness to work with, colleagues and students. You should have strong planning ability, an ability to meet deadlines, and a commitment to acquiring new knowledge and skills.

Interview date: 27 June 2024

For informal enquiries: please contact Dr Angela de Bruin on angela.debruin@york.ac.uk.

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University.

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork

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