Job description

We are inviting postdoctoral researchers to join an exciting new project funded by the John Templeton Foundation, entitled The Role of Cultural Evolution in Human Understanding. The project is co-led by Professor Geoff Bird (Oxford University, UK) and Dr Caroline Catmur (King’s College London, UK), in collaboration with Professor Virginia Slaughter (University of Queensland, AUS).   

The project aims to answer two questions: First, how does cultural learning contribute to understanding others? Second, can we design interventions to boost the ability to understand others?  

We are recruiting two postdoctoral research associates to carry out the UK-based elements of this project: one based in Oxford and one based at King’s College London. This post is for the London-based postdoctoral research associate. This research associate will carry out a series of studies investigating the contribution of cultural learning to the understanding of others’ minds in adulthood, using experimental psychological approaches (see Conway et al., 2019, Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, for examples of the techniques to be used). Subsequently the research associate will focus on the intervention strand of the project, testing techniques to improve understanding between individuals with differing views and beliefs, and between neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals.   

The researcher’s duties will include: designing studies to address the project aims; implementing the study design, including programming of experimental tasks; participant recruitment (including neurodiverse participants) and data collection; data input and analysis; manuscript preparation, and project dissemination to both academic and stakeholder audiences. The researcher will work closely with the whole project team including Professors Bird and Slaughter, Dr Catmur, and the Oxford-based postdoctoral researcher. 

The research associate will be employed by the Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, and will report to Dr Catmur. The role is based at the Guy’s (London Bridge) campus of the College. 

The post is offered on a full-time basis but part-time hours may also be considered. 

At King’s we are deeply committed to embedding good equality and diversity practice into all of our activities so that the university is an inclusive, welcoming and inspiring place to work and study, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation. We particularly welcome applications from black and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the University at this level. 

This post will be offered on a fixed-term contract for 33 months. 

This is a full-time post - 100% full time equivalent – but part time hours may also be considered for the right candidate.

Key responsibilities

• Support the Project Co-Leads in the successful delivery of the research project, working closely with the full research team.   

• Design and implement research studies to address the project aims. 

• Recruit participants and carry out data collection both remotely and in person. 

• Carry out data input and analysis. 

• Present at team meetings and provide regular updates to the Project Co-Leads. 

• Prepare manuscripts for publication; assist in preparing funder reports. 

• Disseminate project findings to both academic and non-academic audiences, including via conferences and workshops. 

• Prepare applications for ethical review and ensure data confidentiality.  

• Support the Department and Faculty/College leadership in fostering a stimulating, innovative & cultural environment across the College enabling students and staff to thrive and develop, raising awareness of diversity and inclusion. 

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.  

Skills, knowledge, and experience 

Essential criteria 

• PhD* in psychology, cognitive neuroscience, or related discipline 

• Experience of quantitative data collection using experimental psychological techniques, both remotely and in-person 

• Ability to program complex experimental tasks using a range of software 

• Evidence of scholarship in a relevant field (e.g. social cognition, cognitive neuroscience) and evidence of the potential to produce high-quality research outputs 

• Advanced data analysis skills, using software such as R 

• Knowledgeable in data protection and other aspects of research governance 

• Interest in applying research findings to non-academic settings 

• Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, actively addressing areas of potential bias  

• Excellent attention to detail, time management and organizational skills, with evidence of delivering projects on time and to target 

• Ability to work effectively with others 

Desirable criteria 

• Experience in working with neurodiverse individuals 

• Experience in developing and evaluating cognitive interventions 

• Experience of successful engagement with non-academic audiences 

* Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award of their PhDs will be considered. In these circumstances the appointment will be made at Grade 5, spine point 30 with the title of Research Assistant. Upon confirmation of the award of the PhD, the job title will become Research Associate and the salary will increase to Grade 6.

Further information

The selection process will include a panel interview and a presentation or computerised task. Interviews will take place the week of 13th September 2021.  

This post is subject to Disclosure and Barring Service and Occupational Health clearance. 

Psychology, Social Neuroscience, Cognitive Neuroscience