Job Description

Job Category: Academic Non-clinical
:
Position Details
School of Psychology
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK
Full time starting salary is normally in the range 36,636 to 46,049 with potential progression once in post to 48,822
Grade: 7
Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to May 2026
Closing date: 24th November 2025
Interviews Scheduled: 10th December 2025
2 Positions Available
Background
Applications are invited for two Full-time Post-doctoral Research Fellow positions for the Brain Imaging workstream of , with an expected start date of 01/12/2025 and a fix-term duration of 6-months. mTBI-Predict is a multiyear research study funded by the UK Ministry of Defence and the US Department of Defence.
The overarching aim of the mTBI-Predict Study is to identify accurate, reproducible biomarkers in mTBI that will predict the most common and disabling consequences of mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI): persistent post-traumatic headache, cognitive dysfunction, depression, PTSD, dizziness and delayed return to work. This will be achieved through a harmonised programme of detailed clinical phenotyping of acute mTBI patients coupled with state-of-the-art multimodal biomarker evaluation (brain imaging, fluid biomarkers, steroid hormones, visual, vestibular, cerebral physiology, and EEG).
The programme is divided into workstreams, with the posts described here working in the Brain Imaging workstream that was conducted across three sites [Centre for Human Brain Health (CHBH), University of Birmingham; Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre (SPMIC), University of Nottingham, and the Aston Institute of Health and Neurodevelopment (IHN), Aston University]. The successful candidates will be based at the CHBH, School of Psychology, and work under the supervision of Prof Davinia Fernandez-Espejo and Prof Karen Mullinger.
The Research Fellows will carry out research to enable the evaluation of the utility of different metrics of brain structure and function as biomarkers for mTBI. The focus of each position is slightly different with one Fellow cleading on structural data (Fellow 1) and one on functional data (Fellow 2). The Fellows' main responsibility will be to analyse already collected brain structural / functional MRI data in healthy and mTBI patients to determine the baseline variability of the measures used for this project. This is a large unique dataset with approximately 200 sessions of data acquired. The candidate will be an integral part of a large and diverse team of researchers at the CHBH, and will work collaboratively with the other research staff on this project working at the SPMIC, University of Nottingham.
To apply, please upload a cover letter and CV.
Role Summary
Work within the Neuroimaging Workstream in the mTBI-PREDICT project and contribute to writing bids
Operate within area of specialism
Analyse existing structural / functional MRI data (including diffusion weighted imaging), interpret research findings and results and wontribute to the writing up of manuscripts.
Contribute to generating funding
Main Duties
The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.

• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Analyse and interpret data as directed; this may be through a variety of research methods
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding and clinical interpretation from the application of MRI data.
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods in analysis and management of brain structure or function.
• Participate in research team meetings
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods
• Undertake management/administration arising from research
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
• Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

Person Specification
Essential:

• Undergraduate degree (BSc/MSci) in Psychology, Neuroscience, Physics Engineering, Mathematics or appropriately related discipline and PhD (near to completion, finished or thesis submitted) in neuroimaging or associated area
• Significant experience in the field of human imaging, in particular variety of experience in using MRI for assessing brain structure (Fellow 1) or function (Fellow 2)
• Significant experience analysing diffusion weighted imaging (and in particular using diffusion tensor methods) of human participants (Fellow 1 only)
• Experience conducting neuroimaging analyses on high performance computers (HPC), such as BlueBEAR or similar
• Cooperative nature and strong teamwork skills, with a willingness to work as part of a large multi-disciplinary team
• Strong computer programming skills. Specifically, experience in the use of Matlab and/or Python
• Extensive experience using FSL and / or SPM
• Strong capability to analyse and illuminate data, interpret reports, evaluate and criticise texts and generate new insights and apply to own research
• High level analytical capability
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
• Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project
• Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly.

Desirable:

• Experience analysing multi-site datasets, including a variety of vendors (ideally Philips and/or Siemens 3T MRI scanners).
• Experience with clinical neuroimaging data analyses in neurological populations such as mTBI, or similar.
• Experience with other methods of analysing diffusion weighted imaging (beyond the tensor).
• Experience with the analysis of other structural MRI modalities: e.g. voxel based morphometry, cortical thickness, etc.
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to public engagement activities.

Informal enquiries to Davinia Fernandez-Espejo, email:
We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone .

Skills Required