Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences (NDCN), MRC Brain Network Dynamics Unit, JR Hospital, Oxford
Research Grade 7: £38,674 - £46,913 per annum.
A less experienced candidate may be appointed at Research Grade 6 (£34,982 – £40,855 per annum), with a commensurate adjustment in either the essential criteria, responsibilities or duties.
The MRC Brain Network Dynamic Unit (MRC BNDU) is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Assistant to undertake a program of research under the supervision of Dr Ashwini Oswal (Oswal Group, MRC BNDU). The project will be in collaboration with University College London (UCL).
This research project aims to investigate the potential of transcranial ultrasound stimulation to modulate cholinergic signalling and alleviate dementia-related symptoms in patients with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions. The post-holder will play a key role in leading research using transcranial ultrasound stimulation and neuroimaging, specifically (f)MRI and MRS on the Oxford Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging’s Siemens scanners.
We are looking to appoint a highly-motivated candidate with an excellent academic track-record in acquiring and analysing data from non-invasive brain stimulation and neuroimaging approaches (specifically [f]MRI and MRS) to drive this exciting and ambitious project. This post will provide excellent opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations, and a world-leading environment to pursue transcranial ultrasound stimulation research with a range of neuroimaging modalities. Clinical collaborations will also be forged.
The successful applicant will work with researchers in Dr Oswal’s group as well as researchers across the wider MRC BNDU to develop and lead the process of recruiting, safety screening, and delivering transcranial ultrasound neuromodulation protocols in patients with Parkinson’s disease. The successful applicant may also have the opportunity to collaborate and assist on related projects in the wider MRC BNDU groups and facilitate data acquisition for related project across all MRI scanners across FMRIB.
The role will be primarily based in Oxford (John Radcliffe Hospital, OX3 9DU).
Please see the 'Job Description' linked from the recruitment page for further details on the responsibilities and selection criteria, as well as further information about the University and how to apply.
This post is full time and fixed term for 24 months within the first instance, with possibility of renewal
Only applications received before midday 12:00 on 16th July 2025 will be considered. Please apply through the University of Oxford recruitment system.
Interviews will be held as soon as possible thereafter.
The Medical Research Council Centre of Research Excellence (MRC CoRE) in Restorative Neural Dynamics is an ambitious new flagship research and innovation enterprise that is focused on harnessing the moment-to-moment interactions between nerve cells (‘neural dynamics’) to transform medical device-based therapies for brain conditions.
We are seeking an experienced Head of Operations who can work collaboratively with researchers and a wide range of other stakeholders to oversee and manage the complexity of this exciting large-scale venture.
You will join the MRC CoRE leadership and play key roles in decision making, strategic planning, and delivering on the challenge-led mission. You will work at a high level and have overall operational responsibility for the administration of the multi-site MRC CoRE, including management of its resources, performance, development, and finances. You will be a trusted source of expert opinion, advice and analyses in areas important to the MRC CoRE. You will help lead the MRC CoRE in complex matters and will be a proactive problem solver. You will line manage the members of the MRC CoRE’s Operational Support Team. You will make leading contributions to the embedding and dissemination of best practice and innovations promoting a positive research culture.
This is a diverse and evolving role requiring excellent skills in leadership, management, operational oversight, and strategic thinking. You will have experience of working in a research-intensive university (or in a directly comparable environment), of programme management, of strategic academic and/or research planning in a large organisation, and of service delivery in a complex multi-budget environment. You will also have experience of financial management, including budget profiling and forecasting. You will be adept at building consensus and collaborative relationships, and will have the interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills to effectively engage with stakeholders across academia, industry, and the third and public sectors.
This post is full time. However, we would consider a part-time position (minimum 80% full-time equivalent) with a commensurate adjustment in responsibilities and duties. Hybrid or flexible working patterns may be possible in agreement with the MRC CoRE Director.
This post is available from 1st November 2025 and is fixed-term until 31st October 2032 in the first instance.
This post is a University Grade 9 (09S) position with a starting salary of between £55,636 and £64,228 per annum.
To discuss this post in more detail, please contact MRC CoRE Director Professor Peter Magill.
Applications must be made via the University of Oxford’s online recruitment system, using Vacancy ID 180389.
The closing date for applications for this post is 12 midday UK time on Wednesday 30th July 2025.
Interviews will be held on Tuesday 9th September 2025.
Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences (NDCN), MRC Brain Network Dynamics Unit, Mansfield Road, Oxford
Research Grade 7: £38,674 - £46,913 per annum.
A less experienced candidate may be appointed at Research Grade 6 (£34,982 – £40,855 per annum), with a commensurate adjustment in either the essential criteria, responsibilities or duties.
The post holder will develop computational models of learning processes in cortical networks. The research will employ mathematical modelling and computer simulation to identify synaptic plasticity rules which enable effective learning in large and deep networks and is consistent with biological data on learning in the cortex. In particular, the research will focus on evaluating and extending a theory proposed by Urbanczik & Senn (2014, Neuron) suggesting that plasticity is driven by prediction errors generated within neurons when the activity in dendrites does not match the activity in the soma.
The post holder will work as a part of an interdisciplinary team including experimental neuroscientists studying learning in brain networks in Oxford, as well as other theoretical neuroscientists modelling learning processes in Oxford and Imperial College London. The post holder will also be a member of a research group of Professor Rafal Bogacz, and based in the MRC Brain Network Dynamics Unit, which includes an interdisciplinary community of neurobiologists, engineers and computational scientists.
Please see the 'Job Description' linked from the recruitment page for further details on the responsibilities and selection criteria, as well as further information about the University and how to apply.
The post is full time for a fixed term of 2 years in the first instance, with an initial probationary period, to start on or after 1st October 2025, with latest end date 30th September 2028.
Only applications received before 12.00 midday on Monday 1st September 2025 will be considered. Please apply through the University of Oxford recruitment system.
Interviews will be held as soon as possible thereafter.