About the Role

We are seeking applications for a 1-year fixed-term Research Assistant to assist with data collection on ERC Consolidator Project FACEDIFF ‘Individual differences in facial expressivity: Social function, facial anatomy and evolutionary origins’.

FACEDIFF is a five-year project examining individual differences in facial expressivity and how this is related to social network size and social interaction in humans and Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). You will be part of a multi-disciplinary team that operates over multiple sites. You will be supervised by Principal Investigator Professor Bridget Waller and work closely with other members of the team, including Postdoctoral Research Fellows, PhD students and other Research Assistants.

Your role will involve assisting observational and experimental research with both humans and macaques. You will assist with data collection focussed on quantifying communication, facial expression and social behaviour. Your role will be split between the work package focussed on human behavour, and the work package focussed on primate behaviour. Approximately 50% of your time will be spent conducting video coding using the facial action coding system MaqFACS. Full training in all data collection methods and data management will be provided.

About You

An excellent undergraduate degree in biology, psychology, anthropology or similar is required. Candidates with experience in both human and animal behaviour research and quantitative observational methods will be preferred. Strong communication and inter-personal skills are essential. An interest in interdisciplinary research combining human psychology/ethology and primatology is also essential. For candidates interested in a career in research this role will be excellent experience before applying for PhD funding. The role is based at Nottingham Trent University and although some time can be spent homeworking the role is largely office and laboratory based.

Please contact Professor Bridget Waller via email [email protected] for informal discussions in advance of applying. We are hoping for the successful candidate to start 1st October 2023.

Interview Date: Friday 18th August or Monday 21st August (Microsoft Teams)

Join Us

• Hybrid working - we encourage and offer a mixture of office working and working from home. You're empowered to define how you work best for the benefits of your stakeholders.

• Flexibility - take ownership over how you get your work done. We're open to different working patterns and approaches.

• 25 days annual leave, plus statutory bank holidays and 5 university closure days pro rata.

• Generous pension scheme with life assurance. We contribute 17.2% of your salary.

• Range of health and wellbeing services, voluntary benefits, discounts, and savings for all colleagues.

• Access to a wealth of formal and informal professional development opportunities to develop your skills and advance your career.

• And a whole lot more…

Come and be part of our success. Apply today.

About NTU

NTU prides itself on being an inclusive employer. We value and celebrate equality in opportunities, and we welcome applications from people who reflect the diversity of our communities.

Please note that unfortunately, this role has been assessed as ineligible for sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration points-based immigration system. However, applications are welcome from candidates who do not currently have the right to work in the UK, but who would be eligible to obtain a valid visa via another route. Please consult the Home Office website for further information.

Please note that this role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974) and successful applicants will be asked to declare any unspent criminal convictions.