Research Assistant

We are seeking a Research Assistant to contribute towards an extremely exciting 5-year research project, in which we are developing novel treatments for depression and PTSD through the manipulation of memory in sleep. This role will focus on exploring the use of Targeted Memory Reactivation in sleep to alleviate Depression. This role requires flexibility to work in a hybrid environment, combining home-based work with onsite laboratory activities. Some laboratory experiments may require overnight attendance. During the course of this role you may have the opportunity to apply for a PhD.

This project is funded by the Wellcome Trust on a multi center grant lead by Penny Lewis, who specializes in the study of what sleep does to our memories, and is based at the Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC).

Cardiff University’s Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC) is one of the best equipped neuroscience institutes in Europe, housing 3 MRI scanners, including a 7T and a Connectom scanner, a MEG, EEG labs, a brain stimulation lab, and of course the state of the art sleep lab. The Welsh National Center for Mental Health. is situated next door to the building which enables us to work closely with them. The Neuroscience and Psychology of Sleep (NaPS) group is housed within CUBRIC, and conducts world-leading research on the impacts of sleep on cognitive processes. 

For informal enquiries, please contact Penny Lewis: lewisp8@cardiff.ac.uk (please put title Sleep Engineering job in the email subject)

This position is part-time (24.5 hours per week), and is fixed term until 31st May 2029. 

Secondment opportunity welcome - please note for Cardiff University members of staff interested in this post on a secondment basis, permission will need to be sought from your current Line Manager before applying.

Salary: £33,951 - £36,636 per annum, pro-rata (Grade 5).

Please be aware that 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 pro rata (including Bank Holidays), local pension scheme, a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments within the pay scale, and more. It is an exciting and vibrant place to work, with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter.

Closing date: Friday, 6 November 2026

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