Research Assistant in Neuroscience

The Role

We are excited to launch this opportunity for a Research Assistant or Associate in Computational Neuroscience and Neuroimaging to join the CNNP Lab.

We are based in the School of Computing at Newcastle University, based at the Newcastle Helix site in the heart of Newcastle city centre.

Our research sits at the intersection of computational neuroscience and clinical neurology. We develop advanced quantitative methods for brain MRI, combining structural and diffusion imaging with statistical modelling, to understand how the brain is organised across health and disease, and to improve detection of structural differences at the individual level. Our work spans method development through to clinical application, with a focus on producing tools and findings that are useful to the broader research community.

You will work on an MRI-based research project combining neuroimaging analysis with statistical and computational modelling, including developing and validating quantitative methods for characterising brain structure. Application areas may include improving surgical planning and outcomes in epilepsy, understanding structural changes in neurodegenerative dementias, investigating the multiscale organisation of cortical folding and its relationship to brain connectivity, and developing normative models of brain structure that enable detection of individual-level differences.

You will engage with an international network of collaborators and contribute to disseminating findings through high-quality publications and conference presentations.

We are particularly keen to hear from candidates with substantial experience in neuroimaging data processing (structural and/or diffusion MRI) and strong computational and statistical skills. Experience with normative modelling, clinical neuroimaging datasets, or large-scale data pipelines would be especially welcome. A strong publication record commensurate with career stage would be an advantage.

This is a 12-month position initially (extendable), expected to start 1 October 2026 (negotiable) and to be held full time. The position is in-person, with the expectation that you will be based in or relocate to Newcastle. The University has state-of-the-art facilities, and a generous budget for travel and computing equipment will be provided.

Applicants should submit a CV and a cover letter. The cover letter should describe how the applicant meets the essential criteria in the Person Specification (maximum one page).