PhD Studentship & Graduate Teaching Assistant

We are thrilled to announce a fantastic opportunity for a PhD Studentship & Graduate Teaching Assistant at Birkbeck, University of London. 

This role enables you to embark on a fully funded PhD through part-time teaching work within Birkbeck’s School of Psychological Sciences as well as contributing to student learning, teaching activities, marking, and providing guidance and feedback to students. 

The School of Psychological Sciences was ranked in the top 10 in the UK in REF 2021 for the excellence of its research. We are offering:

• A 4-year funded PhD position
• The opportunity to pursue a PhD while gaining teaching experience
• The opportunity to be part of one of the world's leading psychology research departments.

As a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA), you will:

• Pursue studies leading towards a PhD, in the School of Psychological Sciences,
• Provide part-time teaching assistance (17.5 hours per week during term time) including delivery and preparation of teaching materials for students (both in person and via our electronic learning) as well as demonstrating in practical classes and acting as seminar leader,
• Assist in the supervision of projects and participating in the assessment and examination of students,
• Undertake administration related to the above.

To be successful in this role, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate research potential and contribute to the School’s research culture at postgraduate level,
• Have knowledge in Cognitive Neuroscience methods and Neuroimaging Techniques,
• Have experience in running experiments with human participants,
• Possess good interpersonal, oral and written communication skills,
• Have the ability to lecture effectively and to conduct seminars at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Interested candidates are invited to submit their own research project description or contact academic staff to develop research proposals. Possible areas of research include; brain and cognitive development; cognitive neuroscience; computational modelling; perception, attention and emotion; and child, family and health psychology.

Applicants must identify the significance of their research in their research statement, how it aligns with the department, and how it can contribute to enhancing the research community.

The post holder will be registered as a research (PhD) student within the School for the period of employment, and all PhD fees waived which are currently £5,006 per year. 

Join us as a leading London University with a unique mission for widening participation, and apply with us today.

Salary:

£19,222 rising to £21,818, per annum (actual) 0.5 FTE, (£38,443 - £43,636 per annum, pro-rated, 1.0 FTE), Grade 6 on the College's London Pay Scale which includes a consolidated London Weighting Allowance.

Terms and Conditions:

To commence October 2025. Four years fixed-term, part-time contract (17.5 hrs teaching a week, 17.5 hrs PhD study). Closing date: Friday 16 May 2025, interview date: w/c Monday 16 June 2025.

Please note you will have to submit two separate applications to apply for this post:

1. A full-time PhD application with accompanying research proposal for the PhD post.
2. A job application form for the GTA post, submitted via 'apply for this job' button. 

The GTA role is a developmental opportunity in parallel with PhD study and requires ongoing PhD registration as a condition of employment for the duration of the contract.

For further details regarding admission to our research study programme, including details on how to develop a research proposal, please consult the detailed guide available online.

Enquiries:

For further information contact the postgraduate tutor, Professor Michael Thomas, m.thomas@bbk.ac.uk

If you have difficulty using the recruitment portal, please contact jobs@bbk.ac.uk providing your name and the job reference number of the position. While we are happy to respond to all informal enquiries, only formal applications through the online system will be considered.

We welcome applicants from all sections of the community. The College is committed to improving the gender and cultural diversity of its workforce, holding an Athena SWAN award and operating Disability Confident & Mindful Employer Scheme. www.birkbeck/ac.uk/jobs