Research Project Support Officer

Applications are invited for the above temporary full-time post working in the Department of Psychology at Bangor University.

This role is in support of the ESRC Research Grant “A dynamic interactive account of human visual action understanding” led by Prof Paul Downing (Bangor University) with international collaborators Prof Angelika Lingnau (Univ Regensburg, DE)and Prof Marieke Mur (Western University, CA). The main objective of this project is to develop and test a new framework that is aimed at explaining how human observers quickly and effortlessly understand the meaning of other people’s actions, which provide vital social cues about their intentions, beliefs, and personalities.

Committed To Equal Opportunities

The Project

In this project, we will develop and test a new dynamic interactive framework that is aimed at explaining the human capacity for understanding seen actions. The core of the project is in two integrated parts: 1) collection of new behavioural data from adult human observers performing simple laboratory tasks that require judgments about actions that are presented as images or brief animations; and 2) formal computational models that seek to capture patterns of performance on those tasks based on the interactions between specialised perceptual systems, and structured representations that capture the semantics of action knowledge.

Purpose of the Job

The post-holder will be expected to contribute to many aspects of the project, including: design, preparation, coding, data collection, and analyses for experiments with adult human volunteers; processing of data for subsequent computational modelling; curation of study materials for open-access; and support for external engagement activities.

The project also includes funding for ~1 month external visits by the post-holder to be hosted by each of the international collaborators, offering excellent upskilling and career opportunities while supporting the project’s aims.

Main

**Responsibilities**:
To work as part of the project in gathering and analysis of data, to include: contributing to experimental design; gathering and creation of suitable stimulus materials; coding of tasks in offline or online experimental software; management and initial processing and visualisation of behavioural data; preparation of datasets for further computational modelling; keeping clear and accurate logs of project activity; and curation of study materials and data following open science principles.

To work as part of the project in delivering research outcomes, to include: contributing towards the creation of publications in research journals; assisting in the preparation of materials for presentation to conferences; contributing to the knowledge transfer aims of the project by supporting interactions with members of the external Consortium, including via a planned in-person workshop; and participating in events aimed at public dissemination.

Other

**Responsibilities**:
The post holder will be expected to participate in performance review and developmental activities.

The post holder will be expected to comply with the University equal opportunities policies, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University’s Welsh Language Policy and the Welsh Language Standards.

The post holder has a general and legal duty of care in relation to health, safety and wellbeing and must take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for him/her self and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by his/her actions or inactions. The post holder is also required to comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments.

The post holder must comply with relevant legal and financial policies and procedures and be aware of their responsibilities in terms of legal requirements.

Person Specification

Qualifications/Training

Essential
- BSc in Psychology, Cognitive Science, Neuroscience, or other closely related discipline.Experience/Knowledge

Essential
- Knowledge of, and experience with, the general techniques used by the project, such as experimental cognitive psychology AND/OR computational models of human perception and behaviour.- Knowledge of previous background research related to the post such as psychological, neuroscientific, and/or computational approaches to human visual perception and cognition.Desirable
- Previous practical experience in research projects in experimental psychology, cognitive science, neuroscience, or other related disciplines (additional to degree requirements).Skills/Abilities

Essential
- Strong oral and written communication skills.- Strong computer skills, including standard Office packages and online tools for teamwork and collaboration.- An ability to prioritise workload and work to deadlines.- Strong analytical skills, including the ability to summarise and present empirical results appropriately.- Strong ability to work as part of a team.D