Job description

This post provides an exciting opportunity to contribute to the leadership and management of a new UKRI Network Plus (“RESPECT 4 Neurodevelopment”). RESPECT for Neurodevelopment stands for Responsible, Reliable, Scalable and Personalised Neurotechnology for Neurodevelopmental Conditions. Our goal is to build a multidisciplinary community to advance child-specific neurotechnologies to underpin precision medicine for neurodevelopmental conditions. To do this, we will create the first UK-based hub that brings together the major bioengineering and physics communities from academia and industry working on neuroimaging, wearable and mobile technologies (e.g., MRI, fNIRS, EEG, eye-tracking, digital technologies), neuroscientists, psychologists and psychiatrists working on early brain development and neurodevelopmental conditions, as well as neurodiverse people and families with lived experience who will use these technologies. They are joined by bioethicists who advise on the legal and ethical issues arising from these new technologies, and health care providers and policy makers who will be implementing them in the health care system.    

The postholder will contribute to key network objectives, including; 

(1) Organising meetings and strategically-targeted working groups to build an inclusive multi-disciplinary community;  

(3) Developing (together with the Steering Committee and Scientific Advisory Board) funding calls for innovative pump-priming feasibility studies to underpin larger investments in this area;  

(2) Contributing to key network outputs, such as white papers that identify barriers, drivers and priority areas for the use of specific neurotechnologies (MRI, EEG, fNIRS) in specific target populations (infants, toddlers) and for specific purposes (biomarkers, intervention);  

(5) Helping to develop a strategic roadmap to accelerate translation of research technology to scalable tools used in clinics and at home by engaging with industry and NHS partners; 

(6) Organising educational workshops and cross-sector secondments, to attract and train early career researchers, and developing a strategy for future multi-disciplinary training fellowships. 

(7) Working with Industry partners on the long-term sustainability of the network. 

This post will be offered on an a fixed-term contract until May 2025.

This is a .5 part-time post (50% FTE)

There may be possibility for applicants interested this role, but who are seeking full time employment, to match this role with another .5 Post-Doc role led by the PI or one of the other Co-PIs. Interested candidates should contact us informally to explore this further.

Key responsibilities

• Act as key point of contact for network members across a range of UK and international academic institutions, industry, SMEs, charities, neurodiverse communities, policy makers, regulators and other key stakeholders;  

• Work with the Steering Committee and Science Advisory Board in setting up Pump-Prime Feasibility Project calls; 

• Oversee and prepare research contracts, including resources and costs; 

• Track and verify completion of deliverables and mitigate risks and timely communication to PIs/ Co-Is; 

• Organise meetings, including Annual General Meetings, Sandpits, Summer schools, Training workshops; 

• Work with a web developer and Communications Officer to create, maintain and update the Network website 

• Work with various stakeholders, including academics, industry Partners, charities and families with lived experience in developing a strategic roadmap to accelerate translation of research technology to scalable tools used in clinics and at home by engaging with industry and NHS partners 

• Work with the Training Board to develop a longer-term training strategy to build a skilled UK workforce.  

• Work with the Industry/ Sustainability Board to determine the unique selling point of the network for potential stakeholders (industry, funding agencies, regulatory authorities), consider legal structure and financial planning to sustain/ extend the network infrastructure after the life-time of the grant through separate public and private funding opportunities.   

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.  

Essential criteria

• PhD in psychology, neuroscience,  biomedical sciences, bio-engineering or related disciplines 

• Knowledge of non-invasive neuroimaging techniques (e.g., EEG, MRI, fNIRS), wearable technologies AND/ OR early brain development/ neurodevelopmental conditions 

• Expertise with standard Project Management tools and processes including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and remote meeting tools as MS Teams.  

• Experience in preparing project documents, including network plans and  reports 

• Experience in the coordination of research projects and project activities, ideally within a higher education/ research setting
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills

• Demonstrable ability to work effectively with a range of relevant stakeholders (e.g., industry partners, charities) for efficient project implementation 

• Strong time management and organisational skills to enable planning of work across multiple projects, partners and members across the network 

Desirable criteria

• Experience with science communication 

• Experience setting up research contracts 

• Experience of managing budgets, financial reporting and providing sound financial management advice to budget holder

• Experience facilitating focus groups, sandpits 

* 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

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

Neurotechnology, autism, neurodevelopmental conditions, early brain development