Postdoctoral Research Assistant

Purpose and Main Duties

A postdoctoral research assistant post is available with Dr Marie Smith in the department of psychological sciences at Birkbeck College, University of London, Prof Emily Farran at the nearby UCL Institute of Education, Prof Annette Karmilof-Smith, Birkbeck and Dr Louise Ewing (University of East Anglia). The Department of Psychological Sciences at Birkbeck is an internationally leading research institution in the fields of brain and cognitive development, cognitive neuroscience, cognitive modelling and is a centre of vibrant research and teaching. In the two most recent Research Assessment Exercises (2008, 2012), the department was ranked 5th in the UK for the excellence of its research. Dr Marie Smith’s group’s research focuses on the perception of visual stimuli, with a particular focus on the special case of the perception of faces and facial expressions of emotion, using state of the art behavioural approaches alone and in conjunction with neuroimaging techniques. Her recent research avenues have included development across the lifespan (from 5 to 95), and exploring the effects of atypical development on face processing.

The postdoctoral research assistant is required to lead the day-to-day running of the experiments as set out in the Leverhulme Trust Research grant, ‘The social side of face perception: Insights from atypical development’, awarded to Dr Smith, Prof Emily Farran (UCL IOE) and Prof Karmiloff-Smith, in collaboration with Dr Louise Ewing (UEA). One of our most important skills is the ability to rapidly and accurately ‘read’ information from faces. For many, however, this process is compromised, leading to interpersonal and broader difficulties functioning in our highly social world. Studying the mechanisms driving these atypical systems also provides invaluable insights into the typical functioning of our complex face-processing system. This project will investigate two neurodevelopmental disorders (Williams syndrome and Down Syndrome) with unique phenotypic profiles that offer a rare opportunity to disentangle different contributions to face-processing expertise (e.g., perceptual and more social). We will combine psychophysical and neuroimaging methodologies to address key questions in the field.

Candidate Requirements

The post holder will be responsible for running the experiments as set out in the grant both in the lab and on location in schools and participants’ homes. Experiments will involve behavioural and EEG/ERP methodologies, as well as coding and analysing data from these measures. Some data analysis will be conducted using MATLAB and although it is not essential that the post-holder be expert with this software on application, a willingness to learn and ability to do so is essential to this post. Previous experience with EEG/ERPs is an advantage but not necessary as training will be provided.

Please note that the post is initially for a fixed term period of 1 year, with the possibility of extension up to a fixed term of three years.

Further Information

Salary: Grade 7 of the College’s London Pay Scale which is £36,150 rising to £41,318 per annum.

This post is full time, 35 hours per week (1.0 FTE) and fixed term for 1 year from October 2016 (extendable to three years). The salary quoted above is on the College’s London Pay Scale and includes a consolidated Weighting/Allowance which applies only to staff whose normal contractual place of work is in the Greater London area. The initial salary will be dependent on the skills and experience of the successful applicant. The appointment is subject to a probationary period of 6 months. Birkbeck also provides a generous defined benefit pension scheme, 31 days paid leave, flexible working arrangements and other great benefits.

The closing date for completed applications is midnight on Wednesday 24 August 2016.

Interviews are due to be held on Monday 12 September 2016.

For further information on this opportunity contact Dr Marie Smith, Department of Psychological Sciences (marie.smith@bbk.ac.uk).