The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.
We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.
Overview
As a Research Associate, you will work on an experience-sampling study investigating the relation between intra- and interindividual variation in visual working memory and spontaneous strategy use in younger and older adults in an everyday context. This study is part of the project Strategy Training to support healthy cognitive ageing: behavioural, neuroimaging and real-world investigations and funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).
Under the guidance of Professor Claudia von Bastian, and in collaboration with the project PI Professor Louise Brown Nicholls (University of Strathclyde) and the wider project team Dr Richard Allen, Professor Melanie Burke (University of Leeds), and Professor Mario Parra Rodriguez (University of Strathclyde), you will finalise research protocols, develop research materials, and draft research proposals, pre-registrations, and ethics applications. You will lead on the day-to-day running of the study including recruiting younger and older adult participants, collecting and analysing data, and disseminating the findings to academic and non-academic audiences.
You will be a member of the Cognitive Ability & Plasticity Lab led by Professor Claudia von Bastian and comprising undergraduate, MSc and PhD researchers, offering a space to discuss research, exchange ideas, and peer support. The project also offers opportunities for research visits to the collaborators and attending and presenting at international conferences.
This is a full-time position, but we are open to considering job sharing or other flexible work arrangements to accommodate a range of needs and schedules. For example, it is possible that the role could be split into two 0.5 FTE part-time posts.
Main duties and responsibilities
- Conduct independent research on strategy use in visual working memory, using your initiative, creativity, and knowledge about cognitive experimental and differential psychology.
- Use advanced statistical techniques such as longitudinal multilevel modelling to investigate intra- and individual variation.
- In collaboration with the wider project team, finalise and pre-register research protocols, and develop and create research materials.
- Manage the day-to-day delivery of the research project (e.g. applying for ethical approval, participant recruitment, collecting, storing, and analysing data).
- Provide guidance, training, and/or supervision, as required, to support colleagues and any students who may be assisting with the research.
- Follow open research best practices (e.g. curating materials and data for sharing) to meet the highest standards of reproducible, robust, and transparent research.
- Attend and/or contribute to relevant lab and project meetings, including presenting information on research progress, gaining partner input, and disseminating outcomes to collaborators (e.g., Co-Investigators, steering groups, co-design partners).
- Disseminate research findings via publication in high quality, peer-reviewed journals and presentations at scientific conferences and meetings.
- Liaise with external partners and the local community throughout the project to recruit research participants and organise data collection activities.
- Maintain a professional and sensitive approach to work, particularly when working with research participants and external partners and engage in relevant continuous professional development.
- Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post
Person Specification
Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.
Essential criteria
- Good honours Degree in Psychology, Cognitive Science, or closely related discipline [Application].
- PhD or close to completion in Psychology or closely related discipline [Application].
- Knowledge of relevant research areas in cognitive psychology: working memory, cognitive ageing, and learning [Application, Interview].
- Significant experience of recruiting and testing of participants [Application, Interview].
- Experience and skills in advanced statistical modelling, including the use of relevant software (e.g. R, Python) [Application, Interview].
- Excellent scientific writing skills, with a peer-reviewed publication record commensurate with career stage [Application/Interview].
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills [Application/Interview].
- Excellent organisational and time-management skills, including a very high standard of attention to detail [Application/Interview].
- Good presentation skills [Presentation].
Desirable criteria (max 2)
- Experience and skills in programming (e.g. JavaScript) [Application, Interview].
- Experience and skills in longitudinal research, experience-sampling, and/or conducting research with older adults [Application, Interview].
Further Information
Grade: G7.3
Duration: 01/06/2025 - 31/05/2026
Line manager: Professor Claudia von Bastian
Direct reports: N/A
For informal enquiries about this job contact
Professor Claudia von Bastian, Professor of Cognitive Psychology via email at c.c.vonbastian@sheffield.ac.uk.
Next steps in the recruitment process
It is anticipated that the selection process will take place April 2025. This will consist of a presentation to the Cognitive Ability & Plasticity Lab members and an interview with the selection panel. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage by the beginning of April. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Isabella Badini Confalonieri at psy-hr.recruitment@sheffield.ac.uk .
Our vision and strategic plan
We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).
What we offer
- A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
- Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
- Generous pension scheme.
- A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
- A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women's and Parent's networks).
- Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
- A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways.
- A range of generous family-friendly policies
- paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
- support for those going through the menopause
- paid time off and support for fertility treatment
- and more
More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).
We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.
We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision ( www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision ) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.