"Research Fellow in Autism and Sensory Processing - School of Psychology - 104272 - Grade 7"

Position Details

School of Psychology

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

As this vacancy has limited funding the maximum salary that can be offered is Grade 7, salary £40,521.

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to September 2028

Closing date: 1st September 2024

UK travel may be required for this role

Background

This project aims to characterise visual discomfort in autistic and non-autistic children, using behavioural, EEG and psychophysiological (pupil size, heart-rate) measures. 

Autistic people commonly experience differences in sensory processing which can negatively affect quality of life and mental health. In particular, heightened reactivity to sensory information can result in discomfort, which can make certain spaces and activities (like attending medical settings) disabling. There is a widespread recognition that we need to make spaces and services more sensory-inclusive for autistic people, as reflected in policy and initiatives like quiet hours. However, there is very little information about how to adapt sensory information to make it more comfortable for autistic individuals.

This project will begin to provide this necessary information. We will systematically find out the precise sensory parameters that lead to visual discomfort in autistic children, and whether this differs from typically developing children. In the second part of the project, we will link subjective discomfort to brain activation using EEG (a technique which measures electrical activity at the scalp) and measures of arousal including heart-rate and pupil size. These links may help us understand why autistic children experience more visual discomfort than typically developing children. We will work with a group of consultants with lived experience (e.g., autistic individuals and parents of autistic children) to guide the project. 

The findings will inform how environments (e.g., patterns of carpets, building frontages) and visual materials (e.g., educational resources, websites) should be designed or adapted to minimise discomfort for autistic people.

The project is funded by a Medical Research Council grant awarded to Dr Cathy Manning, Associate Professor of Psychology. The post-holder will be undertaking a specified range of activities within this project, based within the School of Psychology, which is part of the College of Life and Environmental Sciences.

Role Summary

• Work within Dr Manning’s Medical Research Council grant investigating visual discomfort in autism
• Design child-friendly tasks to measure discomfort
• Recruit and test autistic and typically developing children aged 6 to 14 years
• Operate within area of specialism
• Analyse and interpret research findings and results 
• Write papers and disseminate results

Main Duties

• Conducting literature reviews to develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of Dr Manning
• Designing and programming stimuli and tasks to measure discomfort, using a range of behavioural and physiological measures (EEG, heart-rate, pupillometry)
• Liaise with steering group of autistic people and parents of autistic children to shape project direction
• Develop and maintain relationships with families, schools and parent organisations to facilitate recruitment
• Contribute to the establishment of a new participant database
• Collect research data from autistic and non-autistic children aged 6 to 14 years, using behavioural, EEG, heart-rate and pupillometry measures and standardised assessments
• Analyse and interpret data
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods 
• Undertake management/administration arising from research
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
• Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines (e.g., recruitment, difficulties with technology)
• Promote equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

Person Specification

• First degree in area of specialism and a PhD (or close to completion) relevant to research area or equivalent qualifications
• Ability to work sensitively with children with varying needs (e.g., sensory and communication differences) and other stakeholders (e.g., autistic adults, autism charities, parents, schools)
• High level analytical capability
• Ability to programme stimuli and tasks (desirable), or a willingness and capability to learn (essential)
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly and write work suitable for publication
• Fluency in relevant techniques or methods (e.g., EEG, psychophysics, developmental testing, heart-rate, eyetracking)
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively 
• Ability to contribute to the planning and organising of the specific research project
• Ability to co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly

DBS required 

The University is committed to safeguarding and we promote safe recruitment practice, therefore all associated pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. Due to the nature of the work undertaken in this role all successful applicants will be subject to a DBS clearance prior to appointment.

Informal enquiries to Cathy Manning, email: c.manning@bham.ac.uk 

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.