OPM Support Scientist

Research and Research Support                 ·                London                 ·                Full time

OPM Support Scientist

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Ref Number: B02-06270

Professional Expertise: Administration and Business Support

Department: School of Life & Medical Sciences (B02)

Location: London

Working Pattern: Full time

Salary: £42,099–£50,585

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Type: On site (> 80% of working time)

Available For Secondment: No

Closing Date: 14-Jan-2024

About us

The Department of Imaging Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary Department for neuroimaging excellence. We bring together clinicians and scientists who study higher cognitive function using neuroimaging techniques. Our goal is to understand how thought and perception arise from brain activity, and how such processes break down in neurological and psychiatric disease.

The Department is equipped with a range of research-dedicated neuroimaging technologies, including a ‘wearable’ optically pumped magnetometer (OPM) system for measuring electrophysiological signals from the brain and spine. The OPM technology will be transformative in permitting the recording of brain responses while people are moving, which will enable the use of more naturalistic paradigms, and the scanning of a much wider range of participants.

About the role

We are looking for an enthusiastic, technically able, and highly collaborative individual to foster the uptake of our most recently launched OPM imaging system by neuroscience research teams, and in doing so contribute to our establishment of a Wellcome-funded Discovery Research Platform for Naturalistic Neuroimaging.

You will play a key role in facilitating the Department’s OPM-based research by overseeing the operation of the OPM facility, supporting researchers and participants through piloting, experimental set-up, and data collection processes. This will include ensuring the correct operation of the OPM sensors and related technologies and optimising and enhancing the OPM recordings from data acquisition to analysis.

This is an ideal training opportunity to develop unique experience in this cutting-edge technology and its application to important cognitive and clinical neuroscience questions.

The role is available from 01 February 2024 and is funded by an award from Wellcome for three years in the first instance.

If you need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online, or have any queries regarding the application process, please contact the Institute of Neurology HR Team (ion.hradmin@ucl.ac.uk).

Informal enquiries regarding the role can be addressed to Martina Callaghan (m.callaghan@ucl.ac.uk).

A full job description and person specification for this role can be accessed below.

About you

You will have experience in empirical data recording and integrating different technologies in experimental contexts, as well as excellent practical and theoretical problem-solving skills with the ability to diagnose complex hardware and software issues. You should also have experience in programming and creating and maintaining process-related documentation. You will be resourceful and innovative to achieve goals in a timely fashion, with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to interact personably, professionally, and sensitively with patients, their families, healthy participants (including children and their parents), researchers, clinicians, and other colleagues.

This role meets the eligibility requirements for a skilled worker certificate of sponsorship or a global talent visa under UK Visas and Immigration legislation. Therefore, UCL welcomes applications from international applicants who require a visa.

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer great benefits, some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Immigration loan
• Relocation scheme for certain posts
• On-site nursery
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance

Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.

This appointment is subject to UCL Terms and Conditions of Service for Research and Professional Services Staff.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The Institute prides itself on operating in an all-inclusive environment irrespective of personal, physical, or social characteristics. Teamwork is highly valued, individual strengths are recognised and celebrated, and we are committed to advancing the careers of everyone. 12% of Institute staff are actively working on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives; visit our EDI website for more information about our initiatives and priorities. The Institute also holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment and demonstrable impact in advancing gender equality. 

As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. 

We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce; these include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQI+ and gender diverse people in all roles, and women in Grade 9 and 10 roles. 

Available documents

Attached documents are available under links. Clicking a document link will initialize its download.

• Download: 2023-12-OPM Support Scientist – Job Description & Person Specification.pdf
• Download: UCL Guidance for Candidates.pdf

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