Internal Redeployment Only

Please note that this job is only open to current members of staff of Cardiff University who are eligible for redeployment.

Internal Redeployment Only - Research Assistant
School of Psychology

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:  (put Sleep Engineering Jobs) in the subject.

This post is part time hours per week)  available from 1st February 2026 and fixed term  until 31 May 2029.

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).

Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 45 days annual leave pro rata (including Bank Holidays), local pension scheme, a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments within the pay scale, and more. It is an exciting and vibrant place to work, with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter.

Closing date: Monday, 1 December 2025

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds.  We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements. 

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at:  Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University
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.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• 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.
• To take charge of our podcast – maintaining its webpage, editing episodes, planning episodes, communications.

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.

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

1. MSc and/or Bachelors degree in a related subject

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

1. An established expertise and proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience within at least two of the below:

i. Programming in Python or Matlab
ii. Sleep studies and analysis of sleep data
iii. EEG analysis (ERPs and Time Frequency)
iv. Machine learning
v. Analysis of sleep elements (like spindles or Sos)

1. Knowledge of in the contemporary literature relating to at least two of the above areas.
2. Proven ability to analyse complex information and summarise appropriately
3. Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies

Communication and Team Working

1. Proven communication skills, including presentation to various audiences
2. Excellent organisational and team-working skills

Other

1. Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and teamworking within work

Desirable Criteria

1. Proven ability to work without close supervision
2. Proven ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the Higher Education community

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