Research Fellow London, England
Job description
About us
UCL is ranked number one in the UK for research in psychology, psychiatry and neuroscience. You will be embedded within the Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit at UCL; a world-leading multidisciplinary research unit that examines novel drug and behavioural approaches to improving treatments for mental health disorders. The team comprises a group of established researchers, clinicians and students focussing on different aspects of translational neuroscience in mental health. We are dedicated to maintaining a supportive, collaborative and inclusive research culture and strive to produce research of a world-leading standard. If awarded the post you will therefore be join a thriving research environment from which many young researchers have gone on to flourishing independent careers in psychopharmacology and neuroscience. You will also work within the Queen Square Institute of Neurology (IoN), where the majority of data collection will take place. The Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences in the IoN is a world-leading group that brings together expertise across the clinical and basic science spectrum of the physiology and pathology of human movement and movement disorders. Our Research Group uses a powerful combination of modern research technology, theoretical and computational approaches, and a range of cellular, animal and human models. We have numerous collaborative scientific and clinical research links across the Institute of Neurology, UCL and particularly strong links with the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery.
About the role
We are looking for a very technically-capable post-doctoral researcher with experience in human cognitive neuroscience, to join a ground-breaking study into how aversive memories can be suppressed, destabilised and weakened using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). This is a fixed-term role for 42 months in the first instance. The study combines neuroimaging (fMRI), psychophysiology (pupillometry, skin conductance, heart rate and sensorimotor stimulation) with neurostimulation (transcranial magnetic stimulation or TMS) and behavioural analyses to understand how associative threat memories are formed and embedded in the sensorimotor cortex in humans. The study will use a Pavlovian fear conditioning paradigm in healthy adults where tactile finger stimulation is paired with electric shock. We aim to replicate and extend previous findings from our lab where continuous theta-burst stimulation (cTBS) over the sensorimotor cortex during learning was found to impair the recall of this fear memory (Ojala et al, 2022; Biological Psychiatry 92(2)). In the current project, we test whether cTBS can impair recall when administered after learning, by preventing consolidation of memory traces. Beyond this, we will test whether cTBS can weaken remote, consolidated fear memory after ‘reactivation’ of these memories, by interfering with the process of reconsolidation. Candidates with an interest in human memory processing and research experience in this area are particularly encouraged to apply. If the findings are positive, we ultimately aim to develop methods to selectively destabilise and silence fearful memories with cTBS. This may of therapeutic benefit in phobias, anxiety and stress disorders like PTSD. The position will therefore be ideal for those with an interest in both translational neuroscience as it pertains to improving mental health. Appointment at Grade 7 is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be at Grade 6B with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD Thesis. This appointment is subject to UCL Terms and Conditions of Service for Research and Professional Services Staff. Please visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/conditions-service-research-teaching-and-professional-services-staff for more information.
About you
We are looking for an individual with experience of leading independent research, excellent organisational, technical and interpersonal skills. The study has not yet begun and you will be responsible for the technical set-up of protocols, troubleshooting equipment and recruitment procedures. You will oversee a research assistant and projects students in the collection of data for the study. Following completion, you will be centrally involved in analysis and preparation of publications. You will communicate frequently with line managers Dr. Das, Prof. Bestmann and other members of the wider project team. You will need excellent organisational skills to manage a busy schedule, be highly motivated and able to take initiative to ensure continual recruitment completion of data collection on time while ensuring high data quality. Eligible candidates must have a research-based PhD in human neuroscience, psychology or human behavioural or cognitive science. Relevant hands-on research experience in psychological, clinical or neuroscientific research with human participants will be crucial. Familiarity with associative learning theory and methods is also highly desirable. You will be required to collect and process a variety of psychophysiological and neural signals, including fMRI. The post-holder will need to independently process this data and ensure it is managed to the highest standards. You will therefore need experience with at least one of the following techniques: 1) neuroimaging (fMRI), 2) psychophysiology (skin conductance, heart rate and/or eye-tracking) 3) TMS or 4) aversive conditioning procedures. Experience with more than one of these will make you highly competitive for the post. Training can be provided for these techniques, although those with prior experience with these methods, and an ability to technically troubleshoot equipment, will be prioritised. Candidates should also possess strong data processing and analytic skills. An ability to use R, MATLAB and code in Python will be important for the post. A job description and person specification can be accessed at the bottom of this page. To apply, please click on the "Apply Now" button below. To apply for this post, please submit your CV together with a covering letter. Your CV must include education history (institution name, start and end dates of courses and qualifications gained), details of current or most recent employer (name and address of current organisation, job title, salary and duties), name and contact details of two referees, details of previous employment, and details of any publications. Your covering letter must clearly state how your specific knowledge, skills and abilities meet the job requirements, why you are interested in the post and what you can contribute to the project. To discuss further particulars, interested applicants may write to Dr Ravi Das ([email protected]). If you need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online or have any queries about the application process, please contact Sharinjeet Dhiman ([email protected]).
What we offer
As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below: • 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days) • Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme • Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE) • Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan • Immigration loan • Relocation scheme for certain posts • On-Site nursery • On-site gym • Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay • Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service • Discounted medical insurance. Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/rewards-and-benefits to find out more.
Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women. Our department holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment and demonstrable impact in advancing gender equality. You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/
