Jobs & Career
Postdoctoral Researcher Position at Birkbeck, University of London – Apply Now (Visa Sponsorship Available)
Location: London, UK
Institution: Birkbeck, University of London
Department: School of Psychological Sciences
Salary: £44,247 – £50,379 per year (Grade 7, including London Allowance)
Contract Type: Full-Time, Fixed-Term (2 years, with potential extension)
Application Deadline: 10 December 2025
Reference: 2288
Visa Sponsorship: Available
Are you a motivated researcher looking to advance your career in neuroscience, psychology, or cognitive science? This Postdoctoral Researcher opportunity at The Vaghi Lab (www.vaghilab.org), located at the School of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, offers a unique chance to contribute to cutting-edge research on brain circuits and psychiatric conditions, particularly Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
This role is funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) and is ideal for candidates aiming to build a long-term research profile, collaborate in an interdisciplinary environment, and eventually progress toward an independent academic career.
About the Research Project
This project focuses on understanding how brain circuits develop at the individual level, especially those that influence compulsivity and flexible cognitive functioning in psychiatric populations.
You will work with advanced neuroimaging and computational methods, including:
- Dense fMRI sampling
- Precision functional mapping
- Normative modelling
- Cognitive task paradigms involving psychiatric populations
The goal is to identify network-level brain dynamics that shape individual differences in behavior and psychiatric risk.
Key Responsibilities
As a Postdoctoral Researcher, you will:
✔ Design and lead research studies within the core scientific aims of the lab
✔ Conduct fMRI-based data collection, analysis, and interpretation
✔ Collaborate with PhD students, research assistants, and senior scientists
✔ Present work at national and international scientific conferences
✔ Contribute to publications and grant development
✔ Support supervision and training of junior researchers
✔ Participate in lab meetings, seminars, and broader departmental activities
This role encourages creativity, independence, and scientific leadership.
Required Qualifications & Skills
You should have:
- A PhD (completed or near completion) in:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Computational Neuroscience
- Biomedical Imaging
- Or related fields
- Strong background in:
- Neuroimaging methods (especially fMRI)
- Task design and experimental methodology
- Data analysis and programming (e.g., Python, MATLAB, R)
- Ability to link neuroscience models to cognitive theory
- Excellent communication and critical reasoning skills
- Motivation to contribute to collaborative scientific research
A proven track record of publications, preprints, conference presentations, or similar scholarly output is highly valued (appropriate to career stage).
Salary, Benefits & Work Environment
Annual Salary: £44,247 – £50,379
Hours: 35 hours/week (full-time)
Contract: 2 years, with possibility of extension
Benefits include:
- 31 days of paid annual leave
- Excellent pension scheme
- Flexible working options
- Access to a thriving research community in central London (Bloomsbury/Euston)
- Supportive mentorship toward becoming an independent Principal Investigator
How to Apply
Applicants should prepare one combined PDF containing:
- CV (including publications list)
- Personal Statement (research interests + motivation)
- Contact details for three referees
Submit through the official Birkbeck online application portal. See the link below!!!
Closing Date: 10 December 2025
Interview Date: 16 January 2026
Enquiries
For academic questions:
Dr. Matilde Vaghi
✉️ m.vaghi@bbk.ac.uk
For portal issues:
✉️ jobs@bbk.ac.uk
Include job reference: 2288
Diversity & Inclusion Commitment
Birkbeck strongly encourages applications from all communities and holds:
- Athena SWAN Award
- Disability Confident Employer Status
- Mindful Employer Commitment
Final Thoughts
This is an exceptional opportunity for an ambitious early-career researcher to develop advanced neuroimaging expertise, collaborate within a dynamic lab environment, and actively contribute to impactful psychiatric research.
If you are driven, curious, and ready to lead scientific discovery — apply today.
Apply Now: https://cis7.bbk.ac.uk/vacancy/postdoctoral-researcher-599088.html?
