About the Role
Main function
To contribute to research within the specialist area of sleep engineering, carrying out work that helps lead to the publishing of high-quality research. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same.
To collect and analyse EEG, behavioural, and possibly MRI data and assist in training junior members of the team to help with these tasks.
Actively participate within the research group, communicating and presenting research at meetings, through publications and other recognised avenues as appropriate, ensuring information is communicated to internal and external partners.
To contribute and support research publications and presentations as required
To contribute and support research funding bids as required
To analyse and communicate complex ideas, concepts and data using appropriate methods and packages
To resolve issues and support colleagues in devising procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting
To generate research output and contribute to the development of independent and original ideas as appropriate
To provide support in research activities for undergraduate courses and research programmes and provide guidance to other members of staff within the research team
To maintain and update area of specialist knowledge, researching and critically appraising relevant literature within the area.
Other
To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world
To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.
To ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties
To abide by the University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity
Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.
Person Specification
IMPORTANT NOTE TO CANDIDATES: It is the University’s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing and we only invite candidates to interview who clearly evidence that they meet (or partially meet) each of the essential criteria. During the application process you will be asked to attach a supporting statement. This statement must outline how you meet the criteria below and we recommended formatting this by using each criteria as a sub-heading and providing your relevant experience/evidence below each sub-heading. It is crucial that you save your supporting statement with the vacancy number (eg. 1234BR) in the filename as failure to do so may result in it being omitted from your application
.Essential criteria:Qualifications and Education
MSc and/or Bachelors degree in a related subject
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
An established expertise and proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience within 2 of the following research fields:
Programming in Python or Matlab
EEG analysis (ERPs and Time Frequency)
Machine learning
Sleep scoring or analysis of sleep elements (like spindles or Sos).
Knowledge of in the contemporary literature relating to 2 of the above areas.
Proven ability to analyse complex information and summarise appropriately
Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies
Communication and Team Working
Proven communication skills, including presentation to various audiences
Excellent organisational and team-working skills
Other
Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and teamworking within work
Desirable Criteria
Proven ability to work without close supervision.
Proven ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the Higher Education community.
About the Company
We are seeking a Research Assistant to help us realise an extremely exciting 5 year research project in which we are developing novel treatments for depression and PTSD through the manipulation of memory in sleep. During the course of this role you may have the opportunity to apply for a PhD.
This project is funded by the Wellcome Trust on a multi center grant lead Penny Lewis, who specializes in the study of what sleep does to our memories, and is based at the Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC). The post-holder join a team of researchers including Depression researcher (and Consultant Psychiatrist) Neil Harrison, PTSD specialist (and Consultant Psychiatrist) Jon Bisson at the Welsh National Centre for Mental Health (NCMH), and Tim Denison, who leads a team of research engineers at Oxford. The post-holder will be expected to participate in all aspects of the research.
Cardiff University’s Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC) is one of the best equipped neuroscience institutes in Europe, housing 3 MRI scanners, including a 7T and a Connectom scanner, a MEG, EEG labs, a brain stimulation lab, and of course a state of the art sleep lab. The Welsh National Centre for Mental Health is right next door. The Neuroscience and Psychology of Sleep (NaPS) group is housed within CUBRIC, and conducts world-leading research on the impacts of sleep on cognitive processes.
Cardiff is a beautiful green city with easy access to the coast (beaches) and hills (Brecon Beacons and similar). The cost of living is comparatively low (reasonable house prices) and in general people find it a pleasant place to live.
Contact Penny Lewis directly if interested: lewisp8@cardiff.ac.uk (put Sleep Engineering Jobs) in the subject.
This post is part time 70% fte (24.5 hours per week) and fixed-term for a period of 3 years and 4 months, available from 1st January 2026.
Salary - £33,951 to £36,636 per annum, pro-rata (Grade 5). It is not expected to appoint above the first point of the scale £33,951 per annum (pro-rata).