"Research Assistant in Cognitive Neuroscience"

Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Oxford OX3 7JX

The University of Oxford is a stimulating work environment, which enjoys an international reputation as a world-class centre of excellence. Our research plays a key role in tackling many global challenges, from reducing our carbon emissions to developing vaccines during a pandemic. The Department of Psychiatry is based on the Warneford Hospital site in Oxford – a friendly, welcoming place of work with an international reputation for excellence. The Department has a substantial research programme, with major funding from Medical Research Council (MRC), Wellcome Trust and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and provides highly rated medical training in psychiatry. The Head of Department is Professor Belinda Lennox.

We are seeking two research assistants to join the laboratories of Prof Michael Browning and Prof Jacinta O’Shea, based in the Department of Psychiatry at Oxford. The groups have strong links to other researchers in Oxford and collaborators world-wide. The posts are funded by a Wellcome Trust Mental Health Award, which is supporting work in the groups of Michael Browning, Jacinta O’Shea and Miriam Klein-Flugge in Oxford, as well as projects in Zurich and Exeter.

What We Offer

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days annual leave
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Cycle loan scheme
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans
• Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs

About the Role

The post is funded for 1 year and is based in the Department of Psychiatry at the Warneford Hospital.

You will conduct research involving cognitive tasks, MRI and neuromodulation studies (ultrasound and TMS) investigating the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying habitual behaviour. You will help design studies and collect data: including, study setup, recruiting participants, collecting both behavioural and neuroimaging data from studies.

You will support the postdoctoral researcher in data analysis and write up and provide support to other on going projects in the lab.

About You

You will hold a first degree, or masters, in Neuroscience, Psychology, Medicine or a related discipline with previous research experience (e.g., as an undergraduate, intern or research assistant) in human neuroscience research. With demonstrable experience with one of the key methods required for the job, (MRI, TUS, TMS or cognitive task design and modelling) you will have excellent communication skills, including the ability to write text that can be published. Analytical and programming expertise is desirable.

Diversity

Committed to equality and valuing diversity

Our active Psychiatry People and Culture teams and initiatives including our values and behaviours framework, work to make the Department of Psychiatry as supportive, welcoming and inclusive as possible.

Application Process

You will be required to upload a covering letter/supporting statement, CV and the details of two referees as part of your online application. Please see the University pages on the application process at https://www.jobs.ox.ac.uk/application-process

The closing date for applications is 3 February 2026

Interviews will take place during week commencing 23 February 2026.

Pay Scale: RESEARCH GRADE 6

Salary (£): £35,681-£39,424

Vacancy ID: 184206