Research Assistant/Associate Connectomics

Salary:

Research Assistant £31,396 to £32,982 per annum

Research Associate £33,966 to £44,263 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 12 March 2024

The Role

We are looking for a highly motivated post-doctoral research associate or research assistant with an understanding of machine learning and AI to join our team (Newcastle, Sussex, UCL). 

This project will be led by Dr Claudia Racca at Newcastle University, Prof. Kevin Staras at University of Sussex, and Dr Arnd Roth at UCL. 

You will be based in Newcastle and will be involved in our ongoing highly multidisciplinary neuroscience research which exploits ground-breaking fluorescence and ultrastructural imaging-based approaches to directly measure the nanoscale organization of synaptic activity and synaptic weights in connectomes (Simon et al. 2021, bioRxiv doi.org/10.1101/2021.07.07.451278).

This project is exciting and ambitious and will focus specifically on the development of powerful AI-based analysis tools to characterize cortical image stacks obtained by high-resolution 3D-electron microscopy. 

A key objective is to reveal fundamental relationships between synaptic structure and function. The successful candidate will liaise with and visit the laboratory of Dr Jan Funke at HHMI Janelia Research Campus (USA), our partner on the project, to receive specific assistance, advice, and direction in building and improving the AI and machine learning tools that we are developing in our research program (Sheridan et al. 2023, Nature Methods 20:295; https://www.janelia.org/lab/funke-lab). 

The project will provide outstanding opportunities to gain leading experience in a cutting-edge discipline, learn to handle and analyse big data, apply powerful machine learning tools, and contribute to the written and oral communication of the key findings.

Collaboration is at the heart of this project, and you’ll have the opportunity to network with likeminded individuals across the world. There will be opportunities to travel to Janelia as well as to London and Sussex, so flexibility and mobility are key, but we can also offer flexibility around your working pattern.

Who are we looking for?

You will be a highly talented and driven researcher, with a solid background in computational/mathematical skills, strong programming skills for data analysis and, ideally, experience in machine learning techniques as well as, preferably, experience in neuroscience.

You will also have a track record of writing, publishing scientific articles, and presentation at international conferences and workshops.

You will work under the direction of all three investigators and Dr Funke fulltime until 13th August 2025 on a fixed term contract. The vacancy may be extended depending on the start date of the successful candidate; however, this is subject to change. 

If you have any questions prior to applying, please contact Dr Claudia Racca claudia.racca@ncl.ac.uk, Prof. Kevin Staras k.staras@sussex.ac.uk or Dr Arnd Roth arnd.roth@ucl.ac.uk.

Find out more about the Faculty of Medical Sciences here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/ 

Find out more about our Research Institutes here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/research/institutes/

As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of research role profiles. These profiles set out firstly the generic competences and responsibilities expected of role holders at each level and secondly the general qualifications and experiences needed for entry at a particular level.

Key Accountabilities

• Although working under the general guidance of an academic or Principal Investigator, the postholder will contribute ideas, including enhancements to the technical or methodological aspects of their studies, thus providing substantial 'added value' 
• Develop and carry out the specified project using appropriate techniques and equipment as outlined in the personal requirements 
• Determine appropriate methodologies for research, with advice and support where required
• Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and in time develop own research objectives and proposals for funding 
• Begin to write, with appropriate support, proposals for individual research funding or, where funders do not permit this, contribute to the writing of collective bids
• Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations
• Contribute to the writing up of their research for publication and dissemination, either through seminar and conference presentations or through publications
• Present research findings, either at conferences or through publications in reputable outlets appropriate to the discipline
• May be involved in the supervision, with guidance, of final year undergraduate research projects and in providing support to postgraduate research students or Research Assistants 
• Will need to work with the support staff and, on occasions, with undergraduate and postgraduate students, and interact intellectually with other academic members of the Institute
• May contribute to events celebrating the public engagement of science/social sciences/humanities
• Develop an awareness of University structures, policies and procedures and relevant issues in the higher education, research, social and political environment
• Attend and present data at lab meetings
• Regularly liaise with the Investigators teams and collaborators to ensure high quality of research and timely delivery of the project goals 
• Be responsible of the data management as governed by University and BBSRC
• Perform data extraction and analysis and ensure full compliance with existing ethical regulations as appropriate

The Person 

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Solid knowledge and background in computational/mathematical skills, strong programming skills for data analysis and, ideally, experience in machine learning techniques as well as, preferably, experience in neuroscience
• Experience with 2D and 3D image processing and image annotation and segmentation
• Experience with machine learning approaches to analyse data
• Expertise in using Python, PyTorch or Matlab to analyse experimental data 
• Ability to work well as part of a team and rapidly acquire new skill
• Likelihood of advanced skills directly related to the research projects 
• High level of analytical and problem-solving capability 
• Ability to communicate complex information with clarity and to encourage the commitment of others 
• Experience of research with clear transferable skills and some experience or awareness of the research environment 
• Presentations at conferences and/or high-quality publications 
• Ability to participate in a collaborative research project

Desirable

• Strong knowledge of neuroscience 
• Experience in mentoring and training students
• Experience with WebKnossos

Attributes and Behaviour

• Excellent inter-personal skills with an ability to work co-operatively in a multidisciplinary setting
• Resourceful and able to act on own initiative and able to prioritise key task and meet deadlines
• Meticulous and accurate in all aspects of work via commitment to high quality research
• Strong problem solving abilities
• Willingness to travel and visit the other Investigators’ teams and the collaborators abroad as part of the project as necessary

Desirable

• Experience of supervision of junior staff members
• Experience of managing/organising lab

Qualifications

• Good honours degree (or equivalent) in neuroscience or related discipline or computer science, AI, and machine learning (Research Assistant)
• A PhD in neuroscience or related discipline or computer science, AI, and machine learning (Research Associate)

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.  As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society.  We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a silver Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality.  We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC.  We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe. 

Requisition ID: 26775