Research Assistant in Developmental Psychology

The Post The Role

The Faculty of Arts and Humanities, in cooperation with the Faculty of Natural Sciences is offering a 15-month part-time 40% position as Research Assistant on the multidisciplinary research project entitled ‘Agency, Rationality and Epistemic Defeat’ funded by the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship scheme.

The Research Assistant will work in collaboration with Dr Giacomo Melis (Philosophy, Principal Investigator), Dr Kresimir Durdevic ( Psychology, Postdoctoral Research Fellow) Dr Eva Rafetseder (Psychology, Co-Investigator) and Dr Zsófia Virányi (Animal Cognition, Co-Investigator) of the Messerli Research Institute (University of Veterinary medicine, Vienna) on a multidisciplinary research project entitled ‘Agency, Rationality and Epistemic Defeat’ funded by the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship scheme.

Outline of the Project

The project is articulated in a broadly philosophical and broadly empirical part, which will progress in parallel and will be driven by the interactive work of the core team. The more philosophical part will develop a theory of rational belief-revision that will apply to the various agents discussed in philosophy and cognitive science, and which will focus on the notion of epistemic defeat. The more empirical part will use such theory to design and run novel comparative cognitive tests on pre-verbal children, pigs, and dogs aimed at assessing whether they may be capable of some form of reflective thinking. The experiments with human infants will be designed and executed in the psychology division of the University of Stirling.

Please visit www.ared.stir.ac.uk for more details.

Informal enquiries can be made to Dr Kresimir Durdevic, email: [email protected]

Description of Duties

• Setting up and running experiments with young children, including corresponding with nurseries and managing testing schedules
• Assisting in supervising student research assistants
• Taking responsibility for participant recruitment including establishing and maintaining good relationships required to facilitate this
• Contribute to quantitative data analysis and management of datasets
• Have regular meetings with the project team to track progress, resolve any practical, technical or analytical issues
• Contribute to manuscript preparation as a co-author
• Contributing to the public engagement activities of the project
• Update the project’s websites

Essential Criteria

• Bachelors (minimum 2:1) or Masters degree in Psychology or related fields
• Proficient use of Microsoft software (Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook) and statistical software (R, SPSS, Jamovi or similar) for the analysis of quantitative data
• Experience of experimental data collection with young children
• Strong organisational, data management, and data analysis skills
• Evidence of self-motivation and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Evidence of excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to set and meet deadlines
• Demonstrable ability to identify problems and propose solutions
• Flexibility and enthusiasm and a willingness to learn and develop new skills

Desirable Criteria

• Postgraduate qualification in Psychology
• Experience of software to develop and/or deliver experimental stimuli (PsychoPy, Tobii Pro Lab, E-Prime)
• Experience using eye-tracking equipment
• Experience in drafting papers for publication and report-writing
• Experience of working in a research or knowledge exchange environment
• Experience of student supervision

Additional Information

Part time (40%FTE)

Fixed term until 31 December 2027

Grade 6: £31,236 - £37,694 p.a. pro-rata

The closing date for applications is midnight on Monday 17 August 2026.

Interviews are expected to take place on Tuesday 8 September 2026.

There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.

This role will require membership of the PVG scheme. An offer of employment will be subject to a satisfactory outcome of this process.

This role is not eligible for sponsorship. Applicants require to have existing right to work in the UK.

The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.

Behaviours and Competencies

The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.

• Managing self and personal skills

Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.

• Delivering excellent service

Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.

• Finding solutions

Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.

• Embracing change

Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.

• Using resources effectively

Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.

• Engaging with the wider context

Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.

• Developing self and others

Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.

• Working together

Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.

• Achieving Results

Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.

The University

The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe. Driven by our mission to be the difference, we are addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society.

The University has more than 17,500 students globally and employs 1,500 staff, with more than 140 nationalities represented within our community. Our campus environment is ranked first in the UK and top 10 in the world, and our sports facilities rank first in the UK and second in the world (International Student Barometer 2024, wave two), reflecting our long-standing designation as Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence.

We were shortlisted for University of the Year 2024 at the Times Higher Education Awards and are proud holders of a Silver institutional award from the Athena Swan Charter, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality. We have an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings and are ranked top 30 in the UK for postgraduate teaching and learning (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2024). In recognition of our excellence in business education, we are accredited by AACSB International.

Eighty-seven per cent of our research has an outstanding or very considerable impact on society, with more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021), and we are ranked among the top 100 institutions in the world for our contribution to meeting 10 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. We have twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize; for our Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and our Institute of Aquaculture (2019).

Alongside partners, the University spearheads the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal – which will deliver three major University-led projects: the National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub, Scotland’s International Environment Centre, and the Intergenerational Living Innovation Hub. We are also a central partner in the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership.

www.stir.ac.uk@stiruni

Job Reference: FAC02121