Academic ConnectResearch Associate (Fixed Term)
Research Associate (Fixed Term)
Full Time,1 year fixed term contract with the possibility of extension
We wish to appoint a Research Associate working 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday.
This post will involve conducting innovative research investigating brain network development and how it may be impacted by early life adversity, with a team of scientists at the Department of Psychiatry and MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit (MRC CBU), funded by the Templeton World Charity Foundation. This project will involve working closely with other lab members and collaborators across the Psychiatry and Psychology Departments, and the MRC CBU.
We are looking for a skilled postdoctoral scientist, or someone nearing the end of their PhD, to join our team. The successful candidate will have excellent coding skills (multiple languages are used within the lab, so there is flexibility) and a demonstrable interest in understanding mechanisms of brain development. Our research lies at the interface of development, neuroscience, computational modelling, clinical research, and neuroinformatics. Candidates with expertise in any or all of these areas will be considered. A strong quantitative background is essential, and experience integrating multimodal data (e.g., imaging and genomics) will be especially useful. Experience using advanced analytical approaches, such as machine learning or network analysis, is also desirable.
The post-holder will work with a team of scientists including other post-docs, Ph.D. students and senior scientists, under the supervision of Prof Petra Vertes. In this context, this role will also involve providing training, support and supervision for other team members, and regular reporting to the wider research group.
Applicants should have a PhD (or be nearing completion of a PhD), together with a strong academic track record, in a relevant area (e.g., neuroscience, neuroimaging, machine learning). Quantitative and computational expertise are essential, while knowledge of psychiatry/developmental systems neuroscience would be highly beneficial. Above all, the successful candidate will bring enthusiasm for discovery, openness to new ideas, and a collaborative mindset, joining a team that applies computational methods to uncover how adversity impacts the developing brain.
The purpose of this role is to support and maintain the University's national and international reputation for excellence in teaching and research. Contribution to excellence in research will be as a member of a research team and will provide substantial scope for academic judgement, originality, interpretation and presentation of results. The role holder will assist with grant administration and the writing of reports for funding bodies. The role holder will participate in the overall life of the department/faculty, as appropriate.
Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Prof Petra Vertes at pv226@cam.ac.uk
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
Applicants must have (or be close to obtaining) a PhD.
Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will initially be appointed as a Research Assistant (Grade 5, Point 38, £34,610) moving to Research Associate (Grade 7) upon confirmation of your PhD award.
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: 16th November 2025
Interview date: To be confirmed
Please quote reference RN47724 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
Key information
Department/location
Salary
£37,694-£46,049
Reference
RN47724
Category
Date published
27 October 2025
Closing date
16 November 2025
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