Research Assistant (Fixed Term) (SCI

We seek a predoctoral research assistant to join the Humphries’ group at the University of Nottingham on a BBSRC-funded project to study the neural basis of foraging, in collaboration with the groups of Matthew Apps (Birmingham) and Nathan Lepora (Bristol). Whether choosing to leave one shop for another, switching TV programs, or seeking berries to eat, humans and other animals make endless stay-or-leave decisions, but how we make them is not well understood. The goal of this project is to find out if there is common decision algorithm for leaving across species and what that algorithm is.

You will create predictions for how foragers should vary in their stay-of-leave decisions for different types of decision algorithm. You will then get to test those predictions using data from humans and rodents tackling foraging tasks, to work out which algorithm best explains how foragers decide to leave.  

You will have some experience in computational modelling of behaviour, such as decision-making models or reinforcement learning, and good programming skills in Matlab and/or Python. You will have completed an undergraduate degree or MSc in a quantitative discipline. 

The Humphries’ group (https://www.humphries-lab.org) is part of a major research centre in computational neuroscience at the University of Nottingham, which includes the teams of Professors Mark van Rossum (Psychology), Stephen Coombes (Mathematical Sciences), and Markus Kaiser (Medicine). We draw on and develop a wide range of computational approaches to data, including unsupervised machine learning, network theory, and dynamical systems theory.

What we offer- 

A friendly, diverse, and supportive working environmentA hybrid working arrangement with the blended approach of home and office working each weekGenerous holiday entitlement of 30 days (or pro rata) plus standard bank holidays and five university closure days including closure between Christmas and New Year.Our reward scheme grants bonuses of numerous values for excellent workWe are committed to staff development through the provision of training, continued support, and career progression opportunitiesYou will have access to a range of benefits and rewards, including fitness and health facilities, staff discounts, travel schemes and many more. To find out more about what we can offer you, follow the link to our benefits website

This post will be offered on a fixed-term contract for a period of up to 12 months in the first instance. Part-time working at a minimum of 3 days per week is possible.

Requests for secondment from internal candidates may be considered on the basis that prior agreement has been sought from both your current line manager and the manager of your substantive post, if you are already undertaking a secondment role.

Further information is available in the role profile. To apply for this vacancy please click ‘Apply Now’ to complete your details.

Address informal queries to Professor Mark Humphries, mark.humphries@nottingham.ac.uk. Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.

Closing Date: 05 May 2025 Category: Research and Teaching (R&T)