Senior Research Associate - Navigating Neural Overload: Decoding Cortical Hyperexcitability and Aberrant Perceptions in the Visual Cortex

Lancaster University - Psychology

Location: Bailrigg, Lancaster, UK

Interview date: Wednesday 10th December 2025

The Department of Psychology at Lancaster University is seeking to appoint a senior post-doctoral research associate, to work on the project; Navigating Neural Overload: Decoding Cortical Hyperexcitability and Aberrant Perceptions in the Visual Cortex.

This 4-year project is funded by the UKRI (BBSRC) awarded to the principal researcher Dr. Jason J Braithwaite and focuses on examining cortical hyperexcitability underlying predisposition to aberrant perceptions such as visual distortions and hallucinations.

The role involves designing, programming and conducting computer-based experiments to assess the presence of cortical excitability in observers. The very latest in computer-modelled optimised multi-channel transcranial direct-current brain stimulation (MtDCS) will also be applied across studies to alter the excitability of the visual cortex. Trait-based measures of susceptibility to aberrant perceptions will also be administered.

You will be responsible for (i) programming stimuli (ii) programming the experimental delivery of stimuli, and (iii) gathering & analysing data. Expertise in Matlab and Psychopy (or E-prime) is absolutely essential. You will be responsible for the day to day management of the Project, from recruiting participants, developing the experimental designs, and the setting up of studies through to analysis, dissemination (presentations and journal articles) and impact activities. The successful candidate.

You will:

• Have programming skills for running computer-based experiments.
• Be able to administer brain-stimulation montages to participants in line with safety and ethical guidelines.
• Be able to collect and analyse (Frequentist, Bayes, mixed-effects) all forms of data gathered and will have experience with contemporary packages (R-studio).
• Have skills in experimental and analytical design.
• Be able to write up the research findings for publication and presentations.
• Be able to work independently leading to the successful completion of the project.

The Psychology Department is a busy teaching and research active Department. It is home to a friendly group of around 40 Academic staff, with teams of Research and Professional Services and Technical staff. The Department supports a large cohort of Undergraduate students; a thriving group of Masters and Postgraduate research students; and a wide range of research projects including several cross-institution grants.

Further information about the Department is available at: www.psych.lancs.ac.uk

Please upload a cover letter with your application.

For this full-time post, we ideally expect a January 2026 start.

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