The current opportunity is available for current Manchester Met students, to apply you must be based in the UK for the duration of the role.
The main purpose of this role is to provide research support to colleagues and support staff for the project entitled “Exploring caregivers’ attunement to their infants’ affect through social touch and interpersonal neural synchrony” by assisting, and where necessary taking the lead, with participant recruitment and research data collection.
This role will support the development of new areas in the field of Cognitive Developmental Neuroscience.
Dates: 10 November 2025 - 10 July 2026
Hours: 106 hours in total: 96 hours for research data collection and 10 hours for participant recruitment. This hours will be worked during weekdays (Monday to Friday, from 09:00 to 15:00) and spread according to participant availabilities.
Location: Brooks Building, Faculty of Health & Education
Key Tasks
Research Activities
The aim of this research project is to study caregiver-baby interaction through affective touch in 2 different contexts, reading a book and free play.
Undertake participant recruitment and support data collection using the functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNRIS) technique and videorecordings of the sessions. You will work closely with Dr Louah Sirri and during the study participation you will be exposed to participant personal and sensitive information.
Training for the fNIRS recordings and setting up the videorecorders will be provided as well as learning how to handle participant personal and sensitive data. Supporting funds for the enhanced DBS check to work with vulnerable population (i.e. babies) are also available.
Plan and prioritise own work and resources, within research project framework, in order to determine the most effective way to achieve agreed research objectives.
Conduct literature and database searches using standard techniques and methods.
Write up results of own research and prepare for presentation to research team and relevant stakeholders.
Contribute to the production of research reports and publications.
Use initiative and judgement to develop appropriate techniques in order to facilitate research work and resolve problems affecting the achievement of objectives and deadlines.
Liaison and Networking
Present research to the team and in appropriate articles for publication, such as academic/professional journals or conferences.
Participate in internal and external partnerships and networks in order to aid the dissemination of research findings, to share best practice, and to enhance the reputation of the University.
Service Provision
Proactively and effectively engage with quality assurance procedures to ensure that University standards are upheld.
Collaborate with academic colleagues on research development and future direction.
Team Working
Actively participate as a member of the research team, offering general help and guidance to others and PhD students who may be assisting with the research project.
Attend Faculty, Department and Programme meetings/boards as appropriate to proactively contribute to decision making.
Introduce new starters to the area, giving training on basic skills and activities to assist their induction to the team.
Assist in the supervision of taught postgraduate and/or research students, as required, to support the development research skills.
Miscellaneous
You have a legal duty, so far as is reasonably practicable, to ensure that you do not endanger yourself or anyone else by your acts or omissions. In addition, you must cooperate with the University on health and safety matters and must not interfere or misuse anything provided for health, safety and welfare purposes.
You are responsible for applying the University’s Equal Opportunities Policy in your own area of responsibility and in your general conduct.
You have a responsibility to promote high levels of customer care within your own areas of work.
Such other relevant duties commensurate with the grade of the post as may be assigned by the Manager in agreement with you. Such agreement should not be unreasonably withheld.
You have the responsibility to engage with the University’s commitment to Environmental Sustainability in order to reduce its waste, energy consumption and carbon footprint.
You have the responsibility to engage with the University’s commitment to delivering value for money services that optimise the use of resources and therefore should consider this when undertaking all duties and aspects of your role.