Resarch Fellow

About us

The UCL Division of Psychology and Language Sciences is ranked second in the world for psychology (Shanghai Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2022) and UCL is the top-ranked university in the UK for research power in Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience according to the UK’s Research Excellence Framework 2021. The UCL Division of Psychology and Language Sciences is part of the Faculty of Brain Sciences, and leads the way in the fields of mind, behaviour and language. UCL Speech Hearing and Phonetic Sciences (SHaPS) sits within the UCL Division of Psychology and Language Sciences. It is internationally recognised for the excellence of its research into the perception and production of speech, hearing for speech and applied research in speech signal processing. It combines basic research into the normal mechanisms of speech and hearing with applied research into problems caused by hearing impairment or by atypical perceptual and cognitive development. Our methodologies include behavioural experimentation, neuroimaging, computational modelling, and acoustic analysis. The Cognitive Hearing Lab has close ties to the Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, a world-leading neuroimaging research centre that has pioneered innovation in using imaging techniques to advance our understanding of the brain. The centre has state-of-the-art neuroimaging facilities, including 7-Tesla MRI, and developed some of the leading software for analysing neuroimaging data—Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM).

About the role

The postholder will be part of the Cognitive Hearing Lab, which is led by Dr Emma Holmes. The postholder will contribute to a programme of work focussed on “Uncovering how central cognitive pathways interact with hearing loss” which is funded by Wellcome. The overarching aim of this programme of work is to understand how hearing loss interacts with auditory cognitive effects on speech-in-noise perception, using behaviour, neuroimaging, and computational modelling. The appointed candidate will lead a series of experiments that examine how young adults with and without mild-to-moderate hearing loss use auditory cognition to understand speech in noisy settings. In particular, the appointed candidate will lead work using 7-Tesla MRI, which will allow us to estimate laminar-specific cortical responses in humans. The post is available for 3 years in the first instance, with the possibility of an extension. For informal queries about the position please contact Dr Emma Holmes (emma.holmes@ucl.ac.uk) For information about the application process please contact pals.hr@ucl.ac.uk

About you

The appointed candidate will have a demonstrated interest in speech perception and auditory attention, and how these processes are affected by hearing loss. They will have a PhD (or will have submitted their PhD thesis for examination) in a relevant subject (e.g., psychology, neuroscience, linguistics) prior to starting the post, a developing track record of academic dissemination activities, and some prior experience with neuroimaging analyses. They will be able to statistically analyse data using appropriate software and will be willing to learn to use other software as needed. They will have the ability to work harmoniously with colleagues and students of all cultures and backgrounds, and have appropriate interpersonal skills for working collaboratively as part of a team and for working with adults who have hearing impairments. They will be committed to high quality research, have good time management skills, and have the ability to work to strict deadlines. Appointment at Grade 7 is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be at Research Assistant Grade 6B salary £35,702 - £37,548 per annum) with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis.

What we offer

The postholder will be part of the Cognitive Hearing Lab, which combines behavioural techniques (e.g., auditory psychophysics), cognitive neuroscience (e.g., EEG, MEG, and fMRI), and computational modelling. We aim to foster a supportive and inclusive lab environment in which all members can thrive. The postholder will have the opportunity to interact with and learn from other members of the lab, and colleagues in the wider community at SHaPS, PALS, and UCL. The postholder will have access to UCL’s Researcher Development programme, which is designed to help staff to develop skills for research, professional and career development. Our department hosts a weekly seminar series, which includes talks by national and international researchers and by individuals in industry positions. Research Fellows are encouraged to attend and present at departmental seminars, as well as participate in international conferences and workshops. Recent Research Fellows from the department have secured academic positions at UK and international universities, and positions at leading companies in hearing and speech technology industries. As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, UCL also offers an extensive range of staff benefits: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/pay-benefits/staff-benefits

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.