Internal - Research Associate - Microstructural MRI

Internal Applicants Only – 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 CUBRIC, this role offers a rare opportunity to work with uniquely powerful MRI infrastructure, including a 4‑gradient (Connectom) scanner and a 7T ultra‑high field scanner. The project applies cutting‑edge microstructural imaging and biophysical modelling to richly phenotyped longitudinal cohorts spanning normal 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 microstructure 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 fixed‑term until 30 June 2032. For informal enquiries, please contact Professor Derek Jones at

Salary: £41,064 – £46,049 per annum (Grade
6). Benefits include 45 days annual leave (incl. bank holidays), local pension scheme, cycle‑to‑work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments within the pay scale, and more. Cardiff University is a proud Living Wage supporter.

Closing date:
Monday, 27 July 2026.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage applications from under‑represented groups within the University workforce, including those who identify as LGBT+, ethnic minorities and those with disabilities. We will also consider proposals for flexible working or job‑share arrangements.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and a Welsh application will not be treated less favourably than an English application.

Mae'r swydd hon ar agor i weithwyr Prifysgol Caerdydd yn unig ar hyn o bryd.

Canolfan Ymchwil Delweddu’r Ymennydd Prifysgol Caerdydd (CUBRIC)

Yr Ysgol Seicoleg

Rydym yn recriwtio Cymrawd Ymchwil rhagorol i ymuno â Dyfarniad Darganfod Wellcome pwysig sy'n ymchwilio i sut mae microstrwythur yr ymennydd yn datblygu yn ystod plentyndod hwyr a'r glasoed, a sut mae gwyriadau yn y llwybrau hyn yn gysylltiedig â gwybyddiaeth a risg iechyd meddwl.

Lleolir y rôl yng Nghanolfan Delweddu Ymchwil yr Ymennydd Prifysgol Caerdydd (CUBRIC), ac mae'n cyfle prin i weithio gyda seilwaith MRI sy'n unigryw'n fyd-eang, gan gynnwys un o ddim ond pedwar sganiwr graddiant tra chryf (Connectom) ledled y byd ac MRI maes tra uchel (7T). Mae'r prosiect yn cymhwyso delweddu microstrwythurol a modelu bioffisegol arloesol i garfannau hydredol â ffenoteipiau cyfoethog, sy'n cwmpasu datblygiad nodweddiadol a niwroddatblygiad annodweddiadol a ddiffiniwyd yn enetig.

Bydd deiliad y swydd yn chwarae rhan ganolog mewn caffael, modelu a dadansoddi MRI microstrwythurol uwch, gyda chyfle da ar gyfer arloesi methodolegol ar draws y biblinell ddadansoddi. Nid rôl ddadansoddi arferol yw hon; anogir ymchwilwyr i ddatblygu, mireinio a herio dulliau, gan gyfrannu'n ddeallusol at y ffordd y caiff microstrwythur ei fesur a'i ddehongli.

Byddwch yn gweithio mewn tîm rhyngwladol rhyngddisgyblaethol iawn dan arweiniad arbenigwyr blaenllaw'r byd mewn MRI microstrwythurol, niwrowyddoniaeth ddatblygiadol, seiciatreg, a modelu hydredol, gyda chefnogaeth ragorol ar gyfer cyhoeddi amserol a datblygu gyrfa.

Swydd amser llawn (35 awr yr wythnos yw hon). Mae ar gael ar unwaith ac am gyfnod penodol tan 30 Mehefin 2032. Os oes…