Research Assistant Visa Sponsorship Uk

Job Description

About us.

We are looking for a PhD student who will work as a full-time research assistant on a project called “How does the brain map sounds into the world?” This project seeks to understand how the brain creates a representation of auditory space by recording sensory methods and neural activity in freely moving animals as they navigate using sound. Unlike vision, which maps an object’s position in space directly onto the retina, sound source location must be calculated using clues derived from the separation of our two ears on the head. Almost all prior research on how the brain generates auditory space have been conducted in animals (or humans) with their heads kept in a constant location at the centre of a speaker ring, which limits our understanding of how the brain does so. In this condition, neurons in the auditory cortex are broadly tuned to the contralateral space. A few investigations in freely moving animals have found that some neurons appear to encode the position of a sound source regardless of the listener’s position. To date, all investigations on auditory spatial processing have involved animals wandering around an arena containing speakers. For the first time, we created a big stadium with numerous speakers set beneath an acoustically transparent floor, allowing animals to move among sound sources. In this project, we will teach animals to navigate depending on the position of sounds and investigate the sensory mechanisms they employ to locate and approach both static and moving sounds. We will investigate how single neurons integrate sensory, motor, and positional information to create audio space. The PhD student will define the head and eye motions that animals use when making “hunting” sounds. This will entail creating hardware and software to gather and interpret the generated data, as well as constructing automated analysis pipelines to combine with electrophysiological recordings. The student will join a team of post-doctoral and doctorate academics who work on this research programme.

About the role

• Continue to develop automated data analysis techniques, such as image processing and audio signal analysis. • Collect experimental data using an animal model while adhering to the highest animal welfare standards and being willing to work beyond hours when necessary (for example, post-operative animal care). • Collaborate with other researchers as part of a team. • Prepare progress reports and presentations.

About You

• A good degree (2.1 or above; or equivalent EU/overseas degree) and/or MSc Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering, or Physiology • Demonstrable interest in sensory systems research • Strong programming skills in Python and/or Matlab, as well as experience with signal processing, device control, and image processing • High proficiency in written and spoken English is required This position fits the requirements for a skilled worker certificate of sponsorship or a global talent visa under UK Visas and Immigration legislation. As a result, UCL welcomes submissions from overseas applicants who need a visa.

What We Offer

In addition to the exciting potential that this role brings, we also provide several wonderful benefits, some of which are listed below: • 41 days holiday (27 days annual leave) Eight bank holidays and six closing days. • An additional 5-day annual leave purchasing programme • The defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension system (CARE) • Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan • Immigration loan • Relocation scheme for specific positions • On-site nursery • On-site gym • Improved maternity, paternity, and adoption pay • Employee help programme: Staff Support Service • Discounted medical insurance To learn more, visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/rewards-and-benefits.

Our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

As London’s Global University, we understand that diversity promotes creativity and innovation, and we want our community to reflect the diversity of the world’s talent. We are dedicated to providing equal opportunities, being fair and inclusive, and creating a community in which everyone feels welcome. We therefore strongly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce. These include those from Black, Asian, and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and women in Grades 9 and 10. Athena Swan’s Status Statements Our department has received an Athena SWAN Silver award in recognition of our dedication and tangible impact in promoting gender equality. Read more about our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion at https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/.