英国伦敦大学伯贝克学院前庭神经科学实验室博士后职位

英国伦敦大学伯贝克学院前庭神经科学实验室博士后职位

Postdoctoral Researcher

Birkbeck, University of London

Description

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research (Part-Time) position based in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Birkbeck, University of London. This post is funded by a BIAL Foundation Grant awarded to Dr  Elisa Raffaella Ferre.

You will join the Vestibular Neuroscience Lab, a research group investigating the contribution of the vestibular system to human cognition. The research in the Vestibular Neuroscience Lab extends to the space sector, investigating the role played by vestibular/gravitational signals in human behaviour. Experimental psychology, cognitive neuroscience, neuroimaging and vestibular physiology approaches are combined with space science methods to understand how non-terrestrial gravities impact cognition and performance during spaceflight.

You will contribute to a project entitled “ Luminous dancing fairies in weightlessness: How gravity shapes conscious experiences ”, which aims to create a lab-model of psychotic-like experiences often described by astronauts in weightlessness using floatation tank immersion (Yue Float, London). Volunteers will be immersed for an hour in a floatation tank filled with approximately 10 inches of water containing enough dissolved Epsom salt to reduce the physical – and therefore the perceived – gravity. Psychotic-like experiences have been frequently reported during and after floatation. A series of neurophysiological experiments will investigate whether and how alterations in terrestrial gravitational signals influence conscious perceptual experiences.

You will be responsible for:

  Design and testing of a new protocol for vestibular/visual psychophysical experiments both in lab-settings and at flotation facilities based in London.

  Design and testing of vestibular electrophysiological recording (e.g., VEMPs).

  Participant recruitment

  Collection and analysis of experimental data

  Maintaining and updating governance for the project

  Presenting project findings at relevant meetings

  Writing-up results for publication

  Working with other members of the group, and external collaborators, toward meeting the project's aims.

You must have completed a PhD in Psychology or related field (including those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD), strong abilities in data analysis, experience with electrophysiological methods (EEG, EMG), and strong programming skills (ideally with Matlab). Previous research experience on vestibular/visual sensory processing and/or consciousness is desirable. You should be enthusiastic, well-motivated and be able to work independently and as part of a collaborative research team.

You should submit a CV and cover letter (max of 2 pages for each). The cover letter should summarise the applicant's research projects to date, why they are particularly interested in this position, and their plans for the future.

The closing date for completed applications is midnight on 19 th April 2022.

Interviews are likely to be held in the week beginning 2nd May 2022.

Remuneration:

Grade 7 of the College's London Pay Scale which is £39173 to £44,775 per annum.

The salary quoted will be pro-rata for this part time post and is on the College's London Pay Scale which includes a consolidated Weighting/Allowance which applies only to staff whose normal contractual place of work is in the London area.

Enquiries:

If you would like to know more about the role please click on apply below or contact Dr Elisa Ferre, via email (elisa.ferre@bbk.ac.uk).