Research Assistant

About the Role

In the Baden lab, we aim to understand how the retina and the brain process visual information in relation to the ecology of different animals. As a Research Assistant, you will contribute to understanding how the interpretation of the visual scene can be reprogrammed, using frog metamorphosis as a model system. Specifically, you will characterise behavioural changes during development by tracking freely moving animals and map underlying visual circuits using transgenics, tracings, and microscopy.

You will also assist in maintaining the animal colony, as well as designing plasmids and generating transgenic animals. You will have the opportunity to analyse and present your findings within a dynamic and collaborative research environment.

Please ensure you include a CV with your application.

We are seeking a candidate with an undergraduate degree in a relevant scientific discipline and ideally, some prior experience with coding (e.g., Python, MATLAB, or R). You should also have experience conducting scientific experiments with precision and attention to detail, or a strong motivation to develop these skills. You will be able to work effectively as part of a team, communicate your findings and ideas clearly, and contribute to regular progress meetings and reports.

You should also be capable of managing your own workload and demonstrating initiative in progressing your project, as well as overcoming challenges as they arise. This position is ideal for applicants wanting to gain research experience before applying to Neuroscience graduate programmes.

This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route. The assigned SOC code is 2119 Natural and social science professionals not elsewhere classified and the going rate is £41,500. Eligibility for sponsorship will depend on whether a candidate can make use of tradeable points to meet the salary offered and whether the candidate holds an existing Skilled Worker sponsorship which began before 4 April 2024.

The University requires that work undertaken for the University is performed in the UK.

The University is committed to equality and valuing diversity, and applications are particularly welcomed from women and Black and minority ethnic candidates, who are under‑represented in academic posts in Science, Technology, Engineering, Medicine and Mathematics (STEMM)  University of Sussex values the diversity of its staff and students, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.