Research Assistant

The Centre for Lifelong Learning and Individualised Cognition (CLIC), funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF) in Singapore and coordinated through the Cambridge Centre for Advanced Research and Education in Singapore (CARES), is a collaboration between Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and the University of Cambridge. CLIC is a flagship programme in the Science of Learning to harness advancements in neuroscience to develop cognitive training programmes for the improvement of lifelong flexible learning, focusing initially on adolescents and young adults, but also envisaging work with infants and older adults. This is a strategic global initiative for the Universities of Cambridge and NTU that brings together multidisciplinary expertise from over 30 investigators in the areas of Neuroscience, Psychology, Linguistics and Education across the two universities.

Nanyang Technological University is a research intensive university currently ranked 13th globally and placed 1st amongst the world’s best young universities. The University has Colleges of Engineering, Business, Science, Humanities, Arts, & Social Sciences, and an Interdisciplinary Graduate School. Further, the new Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine benefits from a dual campus located at Novena, in close proximity to the Singapore city centre. The Cognitive Neuroimaging Centre (CoNiC) houses state-of-the-art neuroimaging facilities including a newly installed 3T MRI scanner and MEG, as well as new EEG, NIRS, TMS and tDCS equipment.

The first phase of the CLIC program will initially be housed at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. As the programme progresses, other sites will be developed to meet the needs of the experimental programme. The new CLIC research centre will provide a vibrant, fast-paced, international and interdisciplinary environment with excellent opportunities for skills development and knowledge exchange between partner Principal Investigator labs in Singapore and Cambridge.

The Principal Investigators involved in the first phase of the research programme include:
From Cambridge: Director Professor Zoe Kourtzi (Psychology), Senior Scientific Advisor Professor Trevor Robbins (Psychology), Senior Scientific Advisor Professor Barbara Sahakian (Psychiatry), Deputy Directors Professor Henriette Hendriks (Linguistics), Professor Michelle Ellefson (Education), and Imaging Lead - Professor John Suckling (Psychiatry).

From NTU: Director Professor Annabel Chen (Psychology), Deputy Director Assoc Prof Victoria Leong (Psychology), Imaging Lead - Professor Balázs Gulyas (LKCMedicine), and Principal Investigators Professor David Hung (NIE) and Assoc Prof Georgios Christopoulos (Nanyang Business School); supported by co-Investigator Dr Teo Chew Lee (NIE).

The CLIC program is seeking one full-time Research Assistant (with potential opportunities for reappointment). The research assistant will support research activities focusing on cognitive flexibility and learning, and training-related brain changes among adults and adolescents. Given the highly inter-disciplinary nature of the project, the research assistant will be expected to take on opportunities for involvement in research activities related to human neuroimaging, language, infant cognition/learning and pedagogy.

Key Responsibilities:

- Assisting with participant recruitment and participant handling
- Assisting with cognitive testing of participants
- Assisting with setting up brain imaging protocols and collecting neuroimaging data
- Conducting data coding, data entry, and data analysis of collected datasets
- Performing general project administration tasks
- Conducting literature reviews for publications and research briefings
- Assisting with preparation for academic publications (e.g., journal, conference, book)
- Contributing to the production of research reports
- Contributing to the dissemination of research findings
- Performing other research-related tasks as required by the Principal Investigators

Job Requirements:

- Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Neuropsychology, Cognitive Neuroscience or a related discipline
- Prior experience in conducting adult cognitive testing and neuroimaging (fMRI, EEG)
- Prior experience with participant recruitment processes
- Prior experience and familiarity with data management protocols and ethical regulatory frameworks in Singapore
- Experience in performing general administration tasks for research projects
- Experience in producing research reports
- Good statistical knowledge and skills, including familiarity with statistical analysis software such as R and SPSS
- Good IT skills (Office®)
- Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent organizational skills and able to work within given deadlines

Preferred requirements:

- Data management experience with REDCap
- Prior experience with cognitive training and intervention studies
- Prior experience with interdisciplinary work and teams
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