Research Assistant (Fixed Term)

University of Cambridge - MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit

Location: Cambridge

Salary: £33,002 to £35,608 per annum

Hours: Full Time

Contract Type: Fixed-Term/Contract

Placed On: 3rd September 2025

Closes: 2nd October 2025

Job Ref: SU47162

Applications are invited for a Research Assistant to join the Mental Health Neuroscience lab led by Professor Camilla Nord at the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge.

The post holder will form part of a lab of cognitive neuroscientists at the MRC CBU developing neuroscientific methods to better understand and treat neuropsychiatric disorders. The current major focus of the lab is the intersection of computational psychiatry and brain-body interactions.

The post holder will assist with neuroimaging studies exploring body-brain interactions, working closely with postdocs, PhD students, and research assistants. One project involves the development of a combined functional MRI - electrogastrography (EGG) protocol; a second involves respiratory interoception in a patient group. The researcher will pilot the setup for data collection, perform some preliminary analyses, and recruit and test participants and patients. A knowledge of neuroimaging, and enthusiasm for mental health neuroscience and body-brain interactions is essential.

Our lab is a unique place to work, situated in a highly collaborative research centre at the University of Cambridge. We are lucky to be equipped with world-class cognitive neuroscience resources, including MRI and MEG scanners, TUS, TMS/TMS-fMRI, eye-tracking, and cluster computing facilities. To this end, any training, experience, or collaboration to advance the candidate's future research/clinical interests will be actively encouraged and facilitated by the lab (e.g. training courses; pursuing independent projects outside the lab's main interests; applying for independent funding).

Funding for this project is from Wellcome and MRC. The initial post is 18 months.

For specific queries about the essential criteria or job description, please contact the PI: camilla.nord@mrc-cbu.cam.ac.uk

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service check (enhanced with adults' barred list).

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click the 'Apply' button above.

Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and CV in the Upload section of the online application. The covering letter should outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.

Closing date: 2nd October 2025

Interview date: week commencing 3rd November 2025