Research Officer

Research Officer

Job Number

Informal enquiries are encouraged; contact Dr. Charlotte Wiltshire, c.wiltshire@bangor.ac.uk

Laboratory information: www.charlottewiltshire.com/

Project information: www.charlottewiltshire.com/research/projects/new-funding-awarded-from-the-academy-of-medical-sciences

Project funding information: acmedsci.ac.uk/grants-and-schemes/grant-schemes/springboard/springboard-awardeesSpringboard awardees | The Academy of Medical Sciences

PI profile: research.bangor.ac.uk/en/persons/charlie-wiltshire/Charlie Wiltshire - Bangor University

Overview

Bangor Imaging Unit

The Bangor Imaging Unit houses a Philips “Elition X” 3T MRI system. This new generation MRI full body platform enables high signal-to-noise and high-spatial resolution head-to-toe imaging. With high speed, high duty gradients, compressed SENSE, and simultaneous multiband imaging, the 3T Elition enables increased temporal resolution for functional acquisitions and overall faster imaging.

The Elition X comes with an impressive array of advanced imaging sequences, allowing high resolution mapping of structure (DTI, DSI and white matter tractography) and metabolism (arterial spin labelling for cerebral blood flow, Angiography, magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), and amide proton transfer (APT)). More information: www.bangor.ac.uk/bangorimagingunit.

Integrative Speech Research Laboratory

The Integrative Speech Research Group at Bangor University takes an interdisciplinary approach to studying the speech production system. We are interested in how the brain and vocal tract work to produce speech.

We use a range of methods, often combining them in novel ways, to address the entire speech system. The lab has expertise in:-

• Brain Imaging: fMRI, Multi-Parameter-Mapping, Diffusion Weighted Imaging, MRI-compatible. The imaging unit houses a research-dedicated 3T MRI in the basement!
• Brain Stimulation: Transcranial Electrical Stimulation, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
  (Motor Evoked Potentials and repetitive protocols, MRI-guided technology)
• Articulography: Vocal Tract (or Real Time) MRI, Electromagnetic Articulography.

The team is lead by Principle Investigator Dr. Charlotte (Charlie) Wiltshire and currently comprises three PhD students, two research assistants as well students studying the MSc in Neuroimaging.

The Project

People who stutter experience frequent interruptions to the flow of speech, including tense pauses and repetitions of sounds. Approximately 8% of the population will stutter at some point in their lives. Top priorities for people who stutter are finding out more about the cause of stuttering and discovery of treatments that can help to reduce or control stuttering.

We know that there are differences in the brains of people who stutter compared with people who do not stutter, including how different areas of the brain are involved when speaking fluently or when stuttering. However, there is very limited research showing the finer details of the brain, including the chemical signalling that cause neurons to start and stop firing, as well as tiny structural properties of the brain. We think this is very important for understanding the cause of stuttering because disruptions to the fluent flow of speech are likely caused by an imbalance in how the brain signals to start and stop movements. We also know that there are new therapeutic tools that work by adjusting this process, which could be a useful option for people who stutter. However, until recently, these processes have been very difficult to study non-invasively.

We will use Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Spectroscopy (MRS) to study the brains of people who stutter. By taking multiple, complementary measurements of the brain, we will contribute to our understanding of how these measures relate to speech and stuttering and what the implications are for future therapies.

Purpose of the Job

The postdoctoral researcher will work full time on the project “The Neurometabolic and Microstructural Basis of Developmental Stuttering”, funded by the Academy of Medical Sciences Springboard Scheme awarded to Dr. Wiltshire.

The project involves using Magnetic Resonance Imaging/Spectroscopy and detailed behavioural assessments to understand the biological basis of stuttering.

The post holder will be responsible for planning, conducting, analysing, and publishing a series of experimental studies as well as liaising with external and internal partners who will support the work. The post holder will work closely with Dr. Wiltshire to lead this exciting project.

The post holder will be responsible for planning, conducting and analysing experiments from the above project. They are expected to lead in the publication of manuscripts arising from this work. In addition, they will be expected to support PhD researchers and Research Assistants who are also involved in the project. The postholder is expected to actively engage with laboratory initiatives, including lab meetings, journal clubs, and writing sessions.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Research & Scientific Responsibilities

• Oversee the design, execution, data analysis, and formal write-up of research experiments.
• Take a proactive leadership role in laboratory activities, including lab meetings, journal clubs, and collaborative writing sessions.
• Actively participate in departmental initiatives, such as the Bangor Imaging Group and internal seminars.

Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration

• Work closely with people who stutter, Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs), and related advocacy groups to ensure research remains aligned with project objectives and participant needs.
• Manage project milestones by hosting regular monitoring meetings, providing progress reports to the management group, and implementing feedback into the research plan.

Dissemination & Impact

• Deliver research outcomes through scientific publications, technical reports, and presentations at international academic conferences.
• Disseminate findings for industry and the public through creative communication channels, including the laboratory website, newsletters, and blog posts.
• Attend both academic conferences and community-based participant involvement events (international and UK-based opportunities).

Project & Financial Management

• In partnership with the Principal Investigator (PI), maintain oversight of financial controls, ensuring efficient management of grant spending, such as participant compensation and equipment.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• The post holder will be expected to participate in performance review and developmental activities.
• The post holder will be expected to comply with the University’s equality policies and statements, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University’s Welsh Language Scheme.
• The post holder has a general and legal duty of care in relation to health, safety and wellbeing and must take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for themselves self and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by their actions or inactions. The post holder is also required to comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments.
• The post holder must comply with relevant legal and financial policies and procedures and be aware of their responsibilities in terms of the legal requirements of their post.

Person Specification

Qualifications/Training

Essential

• PhD in Psychology, Neuroscience, Biosciences, Speech and Language Therapy, or similar, or be close to completion.

Experience/Knowledge

Essential

• Experience working with Magnetic Resonance Imaging/Spectroscopy (data collection and analysis).
• The ability to undertake advanced quantitative analysis (behavioural and MR).
• A proven track record of publishing in peer-reviewed scientific journals, commensurate with career stage.
• Proven track record of conference presentations.
• Commitment to transparent research practices, including the pre-registration of studies, maintaining well-documented code repositories (e.g., GitHub), and open data-sharing practices.

Desirable

• Experience working with people who stutter, advocacy groups or other public involvement initiatives.
• Experience working within diverse, multi-stakeholder teams to deliver scientific project milestones.
• Experience with advanced MR analysis, including, for example, Multi-Parameter-Mapping and Spectroscopy. Tools include FSL, SPM, FreeSurfer, or Python/R.
• Experience with open science practices, for example, pre-registrations, registered reports, open code- and data-sharing.

Skills/Abilities

Essential

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to process complex datasets and present findings in an accessible, appropriate format.
• Proven ability to prioritise tasks effectively and deliver high-quality work within tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated project management skills, with experience overseeing tasks from inception to completion.
• Proven ability to work as part of a (multi-disciplinary) team.

Desirable

• Effective leadership skills with a commitment to supporting and supervising junior researchers in the laboratory, Bangor Imaging Group, and wider department.

Other