Post-doctoral Research Associate (Psychology)

A 3 year fixed-term full-time Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) is available in Psychology at the University of Hull. The PDRA will work on the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funded project “Beyond belief: knowledge and ignorance processing in adults”, working with Dr Richard O’Connor and Prof Kevin Riggs. This project will start in autumn 2025. Please note that the terms of the grant that fund this position require that employment commences no later than 1st November 2025. 

This cognitive psychology project will investigate theory of mind in healthy adults, examining the cognitive processing that underlies our ability to understand who is knowledgeable, and who is ignorant. The project will use experimental methods to investigate both explicit and implicit attributions of knowledge, ignorance and belief. These experiments will test recently proposed theories that claim knowledge processing is the basic foundation from which we build our understanding of the mental lives of others. 

The PDRA will have responsibility for preparing, conducting and analysing the experiments of the proposed research. The PDRA will also contribute to dissemination of the project findings through conference presentations, publications and public engagement activities. Suitable candidates are expected to have knowledge of theory of mind research, experience generating stimuli for and programming experimental studies, and the ability to use, or quickly learn to use, R or an equivalent statistical programming language.

For a full description of the role, please see the job description and person specification attached. Applicants are expected to provide a CV and a Covering Letter that directly refers to the criteria provided in the person specification. Applications are assessed by the selection panel according to these criteria.

Essential:

A PhD, or close to completion, in a relevant discipline e.g., Cognitive PsychologyExperience of cognitive psychology data collection, statistical analysis and interpretationAn emerging track record in an appropriate research field, which may be evidenced by scientific publications, conference presentations, contributing to grant applications etc.Knowledge of theory of mind researchTechnical ability to generate high-quality experimental stimuli and scripts for the purpose of theory of mind researchAbility to use, or quickly learn to use, R or an equivalent statistical programming languageEvidence of working in an open and transparent way, providing information clearly and communicating effectively with colleagues and the wider research communityAn expectation to contribute to university activities and initiatives such as science communication events

Desirable:

Experience of conducting psychological experiments onlineExperience of open science practices

To discuss this role informally, please contact Dr Richard O’Connor, richard.oconnor@hull.ac.uk and Prof Kevin Riggs, k.riggs@hull.ac.uk 

For information about Psychology at the University of Hull please visit: https://www.hull.ac.uk/faculties/departments/research/school-of-psychology-and-social-work#content 

Closing Date: 17 Jun 2025

Subject Group/Team: Researchers

Salary: £39,355 Fixed Term - 3 Years