Research Manager

Job Advert: Research manager position at the emergent Team “Ecological Cognition and Computation” at SBRI, U1208, Lyon

Type of Role: Academic and academic support

Funder: European Research Council (ERC)

Location: Lyon, France

Working Pattern: Full time

Salary: at least 2409,72 euro/month

Duration: between 1 and 4 years

Application closing time: TBA

We are looking for a Research Manager for our emergent Team “Ecological Cognition and Computation” led by Dr Nils Kolling, which is strongly associated with the Team “Neurobiology of Executive functions”, both part of the SBRI.

Stem-cell and Brain Research institute (SBRI)

SBRI is affiliated to INSERM and University de Lyon with strong links to INRA and CNRS. SBRI research is multidisciplinary with interests ranging from stem cells biology, developmental neurobiology, integrative and cognitive neuroscience and chronobiology disorders. One common asset is the investigation of human and non-human primate specific features addressed at multiple levels of exploration ranging from the earliest embryonic developmental stages to the structure and function observed in the adult cortex.

Research at Ecological Cognition and Computation team

The primary aim of our team is understanding of how the human brain implements reward-guided decision making, learning and plans into the future. For this, we focus particularly on the role of the frontal lobes in generating choices and making predictions based on rewards and other features of the environment. However, we are also interested in more network-based perspectives and want to understand how cortical and subcortical interactions and dynamics implement task performance and behavioural or neural state shifts. Thus, we use a variety of methods, across species as well as across spatial and temporal scales. We also test our ideas using causal manipulations such as pharmacological interventions, brain lesions and more recently transcranial ultrasound stimulation.

Some of our current interests include trying to find out how we predict future reward trends in changing environments to make better choices. We are also interested in how people manage to continuously pursue their goals and motivate their behaviour over extended time periods, sometimes to the point of failing to abandon them when necessary. In addition, our lab is working on other types of ecological cognitions such as credit assignment, emotion-decision interactions and social cognition.

Our team is heavily interdisciplinary drawing inspiration from economics, psychology, biology, computer science, engineering and beyond. We also use a diverse set of neuroscience methods to understand the underlying processes more deeply. In other words, we measure not only what regions are active (using fMRI) and the large-scale neural dynamics (using MEG and EEG), but also how populations of single neurons are involved (using electrophysical recordings) as well as the causal contributions of specific brain regions within larger networks (e.g. using Transcranial ultrasound stimulation). This is combined with generative cognitive models, purpose built to solve ecologically relevant challenges humans have evolved to overcome. Using large scale behavioural data we further link individual differences in the cognitive processes underlying our tasks to clinical dimensions and other real life individual differences.

Job description

 The research manager position is an excellent opportunity for anyone who is interested in working at the intersection between original research and research support/management. For anyone without a PhD, it offers a way to experience research first hand, acquiring essential research as well as general organizational skills. Furthermore, the obtained experience can prove very valuable in doing a successful PhD afterwards as well as getting PhD student funding. In addition to being a potential stepping stone for a PhD position, it can also serve as a transition into a more support or hybrid role for somebody interested in transitioning out of pure research (either pre- or post-PhD). Depending on previous research experience the roles and responsibilities will differ. In that case, future potential career prospects would include becoming a permanent research staff engineer or senior research manager in a research institute, for a governmental department or industry. Day-to-day activities include the management of data acquisition, research ethics and the team as a whole (e.g. organizing research retreats and travel). Some of those activities require an excellent knowledge of French as they need to communicate with ethics panels and administrative staff that do not necessarily speak English. The team itself is highly international and English is the working language. We aspire towards an inclusive and friendly team culture and the research manager is highly encouraged to participate in all team social activities as well as scientific team meetings as an integral part of the team.

The starting date is somewhat flexible (earliest 1st of May 2023). The maximum duration on the ERC grant is 4 years with continuation beyond that depending on new sources of funding.

The position starting salary is at least 2409,72 euro per month (higher salary possible depending on relevant years of experience and qualifications (e.g. PhD)).

List of activities:

-       Management of the Team

-       Interactions with the ERC (e.g. keeping worksheets for ERC reports).

-       Drafting and maintaining ethics

-       Organizing data acquisition

-       Maintaining infrastructure

-       Organizing team events (e.g. journal clubs and scientific retreats)

-       Building a new Transcranial ultrasound stimulation setup (in coordination with postdocs)

-       Other administrative duties (e.g. purchase of equipment)

-       Participating in scientific exchange

Position open to:

-       Post MSc

-       Post PhD

Researchers profile

Knowledge:

-       Knowledge in neuroscience/computer science/psychology/medicine or biology

-       Knowledge in basic IT management tools

Skills:

-       Excellent knowledge of French and English

-       Ability to understand scientific articles and information

-       Excellent organizational skills

-       Good proficiency of different text processing and organizational software (e.g. Word and Excel)

Abilities:

-       Ability to manage and organize teams

-       Interest in neuroscientific and psychological research

-       Enthusiastic about working in the intersection between original research work and research support

Desired experience:

-       Experience with Transcranial ultrasound stimulation or other human stimulation techniques (such as TMS)

-       Proving ability of managing scientific teams

-       Existing organizational experience

-       Experience with the French scientific system

Expected level of professional training:

-       MSc

-       If extended research duties, PhD

Documents needed for application

CV, Letter of motivation

What will happen after I submit?

After the submission deadline, a selection of candidates will be invited for an interview (in person or remotely, depending on their location). After the interview, we will inform all of the interview candidates about the outcome.

Curious about the position?

Anyone interested in applying is highly encouraged to contact Dr Nils Kolling directly (nils.kolling@gmail.com).