Research Associate – Microstructural MRI
Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC)
School of Psychology
We are recruiting an outstanding Research Associate to join a major Wellcome Discovery Award investigating how brain microstructure develops during late childhood and adolescence, and how deviations in these trajectories relate to cognition and mental health risk.
Based at the Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), this role offers a rare opportunity to work with globally unique MRI infrastructure, including one of only four ultra‑strong gradient (Connectom) scanners worldwide and ultra‑high‑field (7T) MRI. The project applies cutting‑edge microstructural imaging and biophysical modelling to richly phenotyped longitudinal cohorts, spanning typical development and genetically defined atypical neurodevelopment.
The postholder will play a central role in advanced microstructural MRI acquisition, modelling, and analysis, with strong scope for methodological innovation across the analysis pipeline. This is not a routine analysis role; researchers are encouraged to develop, refine, and challenge methods, contributing intellectually to how microstructure is quantified and interpreted.
You will work within a highly interdisciplinary, international team led by world‑leading experts in microstructural MRI, developmental neuroscience, psychiatry, and longitudinal modelling, with excellent support for timely publication and career development.
This position is full-time (35 hours per week) available immediately and is fixed term until 30th June 2032.
For informal enquiries, please contact Professor Derek Jones -
Salary: £41,064 - £46,049 per annum (Grade 6). Appointments to roles at Cardiff University are usually made at bottom of scale unless in exceptional circumstances.
Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 45 days annual leave (incl. bank holidays), local pension scheme, a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments within the pay scale, and more. It's an exciting and vibrant place to work with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter.
Date advert posted: Wednesday, 5 August 2026
Closing date: Sunday, 23 August 2026
Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We especially welcome and encourage applications from those from under-represented groups within the University workforce, such as those who identify as LGBT +, Ethnic Minority or those with disabilities. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.
Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.
Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at: Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University