Senior Research Associate

The role

We are seeking to appoint a cognitive neuroscience researcher with an interest in examining the neural effects of various psychological interventions in depressed patients using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The main function of the post will be to support two studies: 1) the MILESTONE project is funded by a Medical Research Council (MRC) Experimental Medicine grant to examine whether a novel and effective form of Cognitive Bias Modification (CBM) changes neural activity in limbic regions in patients with depression. The BRAINTERACT project aims to examine how a novel -electronically mediated - a form of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) leads to changes in brain functioning as assessed with fMRI.

Though the researcher will be based in Psychological Science in Bristol, the MRI imaging will take place in Cardiff and the Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC). Therefore, the ability and willingness to work in Cardiff is essential. Funding is available for 22 months.

The successful applicant will also join the Centre for Academic Mental Health (CAMH) ( http://www.bris.ac.uk/psychiatry/ ). The Centre brings together researchers working on mental health within Population Health Sciences (http://www.bristol.ac.uk/psychiatry/research/). We have an internationally recognised research programme funded by the MRC, NIHR, Wellcome Trust and other medical research charities. We are multidisciplinary and the researchers in the Centre include psychiatrists, epidemiologists, GPs, public health physicians, statisticians, psychologists and social scientists.

What will you be doing?

You will be responsible for the organisation, delivery and analysis of fMRI scanning and psychological testing within the MILESTONE and BRAINTERACT projects, including participant fitness to undergo scanning.

You should apply if

You should have:

• A PhD, or nearing completion, in any area of cognitive neuroscience.
• Experience in the area of human neuroimaging research
• A track record of publication in internationally profiled journals commensurate with career stage
• Experience in cognitive neuropsychological testing
• Experience of conducting and managing relevant research

For informal enquiries please contact Professor Ian Penton-Voak ( i.s.penton-voak@bristol.ac.uk ) or Dr Sean James Fallon ( sj.fallon@bristol.ac.uk ).

We welcome applications from all members of our community and are particularly encouraging those from diverse groups, such as members of the LGBT+ and BAME communities, to join us.