Research Associate - Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences - 101747 - Grade 6

Position Details

College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

As this vacancy has limited funding the maximum salary that can be offered is Grade 6, salary £33,348.

Grade 6

Part Time, Fixed Term contract for 20 months.

Closing date: 16th July 2023

Travel in the UK might be required for this role

Background

To create and contribute to the creation of knowledge by undertaking a specified range of activities within an established research programme and/or specific research project.

Role Summary

We are looking for a researcher who can contribute expertise in acquiring electrophysiological data (e.g., electromyography, corticospinal excitability) and behaviour data (kinematic data, questionnaires) from humans and clinical populations, delivering exercise interventions, and in analysis of the electrophysiological and behavioural data with appropriate methods (e.g., signal processing, computing).

The post holder will collect and analyse neurophysiological and electromyographic data and analyse those data to gain information about motor recovery from a spinal cord injury. They will conduct non-invasive brain stimulation (TMS), electrical stimulation, high-density electromyography, and motion sensors on individuals with spinal cord injury in data collection. They will also collect and analyse clinical data of severity of injury, pain, and well-beings from the individuals. Further, they will prescribe exercise intervention to the individuals and monitor their adherence. The post holder will contribute towards qualitative data collection and analysis from the individuals with spinal cord injury.

The post holder will play a key role in driving the project forward and uncovering how the spinal cord is recovering from a spinal cord injury and how an exercise intervention can augment the recovery in humans. Additionally, the post will work within the research group and support other members of the group, including undergraduate and postgraduate students.

The successful candidate will hold a DPhil/PhD degree (or nearing completion) in neuroscience, engineering, or other relevant field. They will also have experience of collecting electrophysiological measures from humans and analysing EMG signals using software and and advanced skills in statistical analysis using Python, MATLAB, R, SPSS or similar. It is desirable that the candidate has advanced skills using Matlab and experience of motor units decomposition.

A less experienced candidate may be appointed at Grade 6 (£30,619 to £33,348) per annum, with a commensurate adjustment in either the essential criteria, responsibilities or duties.

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
• Travel to our NHS partners to identify suitable patients and perform study consent (travel expenses can be claimed)
• Collect human electrophysiological data using TMS, electrical stimulation, high-density electromyography, and motion sensors
• Collect clinical data and conduct focus groups with patient participants
• Prescribe exercise intervention and monitor and document exercise adherence of the patients
• Analyse and interpret data using appropriate signal processing and statistical analysis methods
• Manage project progression and deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• 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 writing bids for research funding

Person Specification

• A PhD or equivalent in human electrophysiology is desirable but not essential, and the successful candidate will be appointed at G6 or G7 accordingly.
• Familiarity with research skills of human electrophysiology
• Familiarity with relevant programming / data analysis software (e.g., Matlab, SPSS, R, Python).
• Experience of working with patient populations (including recruitment from clinics/obtaining informed consent)
• Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary environment
• Ability to work co-operatively in a range of academic and clinical environments
• Ability to produce concise written material for scientific or administrative purposes and to contribute to academic presentations
• Excellent time-management skills and meticulous approach to project documentation
• Excellent inter-personal and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with all levels of staff, students, patients
• Ability to prioritise and work to deadlines
• Ability to assist in the production of applications for research funding

Pre-employment

The University is committed to safeguarding and we promote safe recruitment practice, therefore all associated pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. Due to the nature of the work undertaken in this role all successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Occupational Health and DBS clearance prior to appointment.

Informal enquires to Shin-Yi Chiou, email: s.chiou@bham.ac.uk

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment

We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working .