The Centre for Lifelong Learning and Individualised Cognition (CLIC), funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF) in Singapore and coordinated through the Cambridge Centre for Advanced Research and Education in Singapore (CARES), is a collaboration between Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and the University of Cambridge. CLIC is a flagship programme in the Science of Learning to harness advancements in neuroscience to develop cognitive training programmes for the improvement of lifelong flexible learning, focusing initially on adolescents and young adults, but also envisaging work with infants and older adults. This is a strategic global initiative for the Universities of Cambridge and NTU that brings together multidisciplinary expertise from over 30 investigators in the areas of Neuroscience, Psychology, Linguistics and Education across the two universities. 

Nanyang Technological University is a research intensive university currently ranked 13th globally and placed 1st amongst the world’s best young universities. The University has Colleges of Engineering, Business, Science, Humanities, Arts, & Social Sciences, and an Interdisciplinary Graduate School. Further, the new Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine benefits from a dual campus located at Novena, in close proximity to the Singapore city centre. The Cognitive Neuroimaging Centre (CoNiC) houses state-of-the-art neuroimaging facilities including a newly installed 3T MRI scanner and MEG, as well as new EEG, NIRS, TMS and tDCS equipment.

The first phase of the CLIC program will initially be housed at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. As the programme progresses, other sites will be developed to meet the needs of the experimental programme. The new CLIC research centre will provide a vibrant, fast-paced, international and interdisciplinary environment with excellent opportunities for skills development and knowledge exchange between partner Principal Investigator labs in Singapore and Cambridge.   

The Principal Investigators involved in the first phase of the research programme include: 

From Cambridge: Director Professor Zoe Kourtzi (Psychology), Senior Scientific Advisor Professor Trevor Robbins (Psychology), Deputy Director Professor Henriette Hendriks (Linguistics), Prof Michelle Ellefson (Education) and Imaging Lead - Professor John Suckling (Psychiatry); supported by co-Investigators Prof Barbara Sahakian (Psychiatry).  

From NTU:  Director Professor Annabel Chen (Psychology), Deputy Director Assoc Prof Victoria Leong (Psychology), Imaging Lead - Professor Balázs Gulyas (LKCMedicine), and Principal Investigators Professor David Hung (NIE), and Assoc Prof Georgios Christopoulos (Nanyang Business School); supported by co-Investigator Dr Teo Chew Lee (NIE). 

The CLIC program is seeking one full-time Research Fellow to manage and coordinate research activities focusing on cognitive flexibility and learning, and the development of neuropersonalised training protocols for adults. Given the highly inter-disciplinary nature of the project, the research fellow will be expected to assist in overseeing research activities related to human neuroimaging, language, infant cognition/learning and pedagogy. The post-holder will primarily be supervised by Assoc Prof Victoria Leong (NTU), and also work closely with Prof Zoe Kourtzi (Cambridge) and Prof Annabel Chen (NTU). You will also interact widely with other members of the academic consortium.

The responsibilities of the position include:

• Design and conduct experiments on neuropersonalised training using EEG and non-invasive brain stimulation methods

• Develop and update training manuals and protocols, perform version maintenance

• Oversight of compliance with relevant regulations and governance arrangements for the portfolio of studies, including processes for ensuring safety reporting and data quality  

• Oversee research ethics requirements, including updating and management of IRB documents

• Develop pipelines for updating and reporting of project progress

• Develop best practices of overall project data management and ensure implementation of agreed quality control and assurance systems to ensure a consistent and standardised approach across studies and teams

• Conduct analysis of data and summarise research findings

• Conduct literature reviews for publications and research briefings

• Assist with preparing academic publications (e.g., journal, conference, book)

• Contribute to the production of research reports

• Contribute to the dissemination of research findings

• Perform other research-related tasks as required by the Principal Investigators

• Support the recruitment of approximately 400 young adults (18 – 30 years) from vocational institutions (e.g. ITE, polytechnics and universities) as well as from the general working population via community sampling (e.g. community centres, clinics, via social media platforms).

• Organize the collection of datasets

• Overview and standardize protocols for data coding, data entry and data analysis for the datasets

• Assist with the preparation of conference presentations journal papers

• Other administrative duties

Essential Requirements:

• Doctorate (PhD) degree in experimental psychology, biopsychology, cognitive psychology, neuropsychology, neurology, psychiatry, cognitive neuroscience, or related fields

• Experience with EEG acquisition and analysis, as well as non-invasive brain stimulation techniques

• Experience with conducting behavioral experiments in neuropsychology or cognitive psychology

• Good statistical knowledge and skills, and familiarity with statistical packages

• Good programming and IT skills (i.e., Matlab, Python)

• Strong interpersonal and team building skills

• Excellent communication skills

• Demonstrable managerial and leadership skills, with ability to motivate staff

• Excellent organizational skills and able to work within given deadlines

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Familiarity with image data analysis tools such as SPM, FSL, AFNI, DSIStudio, Matlab, Python etc

• Prior experience with academic publication processes and reports

• Experience of clinical trial project management 

• Data management experience with REDCap

• Experience of target setting and performance review

• Self-directed learner who effectively picks up relevant skills as needed

Please send your cover letter, research statement and 3 recommendation letters. 

We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

For further enquiries, please email us at CLIC@ntu.edu.sg .