Research Fellow in Social Decision Neuroscience School of Psychology – 106984 – Grade 7

Position Details

School of Psychology

Location: University of Birmingham Edgbaston Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range 36636 to 46049 with potential progression once in post to 48822

Grade: 7

Full Time Fixed Term contract up to April 2028

Closing date: 19th March 2026

Please note travel may be required for this role.

This role is also open as an internal secondment opportunity which would need to be agreed by your current line manager.

Background

To create and contribute to the design and analysis of behavioural fMRI and MEG studies of social decision-making as part of a Jacobs Foundation award to Dr. Patricia Lockwood

A 2-year postdoctoral position (with possibility of extension subject to funding) is available from 11th April 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The main focus of this role will be on the design collection and analysis of novel model-based behavioural and neuroimaging (fMRI MEG OPM) addition the post holder may also undertake behavioural and neuroimaging studies involving children adolescents and children with antisocial behaviours as well as being part of large-scale online data collection projects. The position is broad and can be in part tailored to the applicants interests and there is the opportunity to analyse existing data.

The successful candidate will be resourceful with the ability to act on their own initiative excellent quantitative skills including programming (e.g. Matlab and R) for the design and analysis of experiments. Experience in using computational modelling studies with diverse populations(children adolescents older adults) and advanced neuroimaging techniques (model-based imaging MVPA or RSA) is desirable but not necessary.

Role Summary

• Design behavioural fMRI and MEG studies

• Collect behavioural fMRI and MEG data

• Undertake computational model-based and representational similarity analyses of behavioural fMRI and MEG data

• Write reports and disseminate research findings.

• Assist lab members in their research activities.

Main Duties

• Contributing to the design and programming of behavioural and/or neuroimaging experiments

• Running experiments involving behavioural and neuroimaging measures

• Recruiting and contacting healthy participants patients schools and families

• Analysing behavioural and/or brain imaging data using the most appropriate and up-to-date analysis tools (e.g. computational modeling)

• Writing and contributing to manuscripts for research publications and presenting data at conferences or public meetings;

• Work collaboratively with other members of the group

• Helping to look after and ordering relevant equipment when required

• Assisting the laboratory head with supervision of student projects

• Assisting the laboratory head with health and safety upholding the ethical and research-excellence standards and contributing towards Open Science efforts

• Attending contributing to and presenting at regular lab meetings and journal clubs

• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines

• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

Person Specification

• Have or be close to the completion of a PhD in cognitive neuroscience neuroimaging experimental psychology computer science or a closely related discipline.

• Experience in the design coding and analysis of behavioural experiments

• Strong quantitative and programming skills and knowledge of one or more relevant programming languages (e.g. Matlab; Python; R).

• Experience with or an understanding of computational models of decision-making (e.g. reinforcement learning drift diffusion modeling economic choice models)

• Experience of writing and publishing peer reviewed scientific papers on relevant topics (e.g. social cognition and behaviour learning motivation decision-making).

• Experience or interest in working with diverse populations including adolescents older adults or adolescents with behavioral problems

• Ability to work independently

• Resourcefulness and organisational skills to act on own initiative

• Strong presentation skills including the ability to present research proposals and results and represent the research group at meetings

• Good inter-personal skills with an ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and help others in the group with their ongoing projects

• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010 and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly

Informal enquiries to Patricia Lockwood

Use of AI in applications:We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and for the written elements of your application to accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience. Such applications will unlikely be progressed to interview.

We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyoneon our website.