Research Fellow - Experimental design and data collection

To create and contribute to the creation of knowledge by undertaking experimental design, data collection, analysis and modelling within the BBSRC Aging touch research project.

Summary of Role

• Work within the BBSRC Aging touch research project including psychophysical modelling of the somatosensory neural transduction and coding processes underlying the perception of touch.
• Design, analyse and interpret research findings and results
• Report to Prof A Wing Operate within area of specialism
• Prepare papers for publication
• Contribute to writing future grant bids
• Contribute to licensing or spin out deals with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues, asset or company sales, IP generated) and/or public understanding of the discipline or similar

Main Duties / Responsibilities

• The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.
• Develop research objectives and proposals for the Aging touch project, with assistance of a mentor if required.
• Contribute to developing psychophysical models of aging touch spanning peripheral transduction, and central integration of neural somatosensory information.
• Analyse and interpret data in terms of models.
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding.
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc.
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline.
• Undertake management/administration arising from research.
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding.
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration.
• Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader.
• Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews.
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters.
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research.
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines.
• Liaise with research staff, support staffexternal collaborators on research-related matters.

Person Specification

• A good honours degree in STEM or Psychology and/or Masters in Psychology or related area and a PhD (or at least submitted a PhD) relevant to research area.
• Previous experience with coding programs in some or all of C++, Matlab, Python, SuperCollider, Max/MSP and other software related to waveform data analysis and synthesis.
• High level analytical capability.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly.
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
• Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project
• Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort