Research Assistant in Cognitive Neuroscience

The University of Oxford is a stimulating work environment, which enjoys an international reputation as a world-class centre of excellence. Our research plays a key role in tackling many global challenges, from reducing our carbon emissions to developing vaccines during a pandemic.

The Department of Psychiatry is based on the Warneford Hospital site in Oxford – a friendly, welcoming place of work with an international reputation for excellence. The Department has a substantial research programme, with major funding from Medical Research Council (MRC), Wellcome Trust and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and provides highly rated medical training in psychiatry. The Head of Department is Professor Belinda Lennox.

We are looking for a Research Assistant to join the laboratory of Dr Miriam Klein-Flügge, which is part of the Oxford Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging (OxCIN) and Department of Psychiatry at Oxford in collaboration with Lilian Weber's research group in Osnabrück, the Department of Experimental Psychology based in the Life and Mind Building (LaMB), and a consortium of researchers chaired by Michael Browning, also part of the Department of Psychiatry at Oxford.

What We Offer

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees' wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

• An excellent contributory pension scheme

• 38 days annual leave

• A comprehensive range of childcare services

• Family leave schemes

• Cycle loan scheme

• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans

• Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs

This is a full-time position and the default mode of working for this post will be in person. There is some degree of flexibility around work hours.

About the Role

The post is funded for 12 months in the first instance and is based in the Warneford Hospital (Psychiatry)/Life and Mind Building (Experimental Psychology)

The role will involve designing, conducting, and disseminating research aimed at understanding the distributed circuits underlying motivation and decision making in approach-avoid tasks and in the context of repetitive negative thoughts using novel experimental tasks.

You will support other researchers in the teams in designing and collecting data for ultrasound neurostimulation, transcranial magnetic stimulation, behavioural and MRI experiments. You will design and conduct research involving cognitive tasks, MRI and neuromodulation studies (ultrasound and TMS) investigating the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying rumination that is of an international standard, and that is carried out expertly, rigorously and in accordance with ethical guidelines.

About You

You will hold a first degree in Neuroscience, Psychology, Medicine or a related discipline along with previous relevant research experience (e.g., as an undergraduate, intern or research assistant) in human neuroscience. Demonstrable experience with one of the key methods required for the job, namely one of MRI, TUS, TMS or cognitive task design and modelling is essential. Analytical and programming expertise and a prior interest or previous experience in studying rumination or related mental health symptoms and/or approach/avoid decision-making would be desirable.

Diversity

Committed to equality and valuing diversity

Our active Psychiatry People and Culture teams and initiatives including our values and behaviours framework, work to make the Department of Psychiatry as supportive, welcoming and inclusive as possible.

Application Process

You will be required to upload a covering letter/supporting statement, CV and the details of two referees as part of your online application. Please see the University pages on the application process at

The closing date for applications is 12:00 midday on 28 November 2025.