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Research Assistant in Primate Behaviour
Salary £27,246 - £28,608 per annum
8 month fixed-term contract (full-time)
About the Role
This post is designed to support a wide range of research projects related to primate behaviour within the School of Social Sciences at NTU. You will provide support for small or pilot projects, and for on-going externally funded projects in need of research support. We are looking for someone with interest and skills in primate behaviour research including quantitative observational methods and experimental cognitive behavioural research techniques, with wild and/or captive animals. We will provide training on specific research methods in non-human primate social behaviour, such as facial expression analysis (FACS). You will work with academic staff within the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research on Social Interaction across a range of topics such as primate environmental physiology and biological evolution, social cognition and communication, individual differences and social relationships. Much of the work will be desk based, but there might be opportunities for more direct work with primates. This post is ideal for someone looking to build their experience and skills prior to applying for PhD positions in primate behaviour.
For more details, please take a look at the role profile. We'll still consider applications even if you don't meet every single one of the requirements, so don't be put off if you don't match them perfectly.
Interview Date: Friday 5th December 2025
About Us
NTU Psychology is recognised nationally and internationally for delivering theoretically informed and applied research. Within the UK we are the largest provider of full-time undergraduate degrees in psychology. Our pre-covid NSS scores for overall satisfaction was above 90% for eight years and since covid have been ahead of the sector average and sector benchmarks. We provide a learning experience of the highest quality to our students and pride ourselves as being at the forefront of sector innovations in teaching and learning. As a department we have co-written the introductory Essential Psychology textbook for SAGE, recently completing the 4th edition.
Our excellence is recognised internationally, with the recent QS 2023 World University rankings, putting us in the top 150 departments for psychology worldwide. At NTU Psychology we are committed to quality, diversity and inclusion and have achieved Athena SWAN recognition at the department level. You will be joining a very large, lively, diverse, collegiate and ambitious team. Colleagues in the department have a range of backgrounds, spanning most areas of psychology, which is reflected in the range of our research groups and our course portfolio.
For any informal queries about the role or the team, please contact Professor Bridget Waller (Professor of Psychology) at bridget.waller@ntu.ac.uk.
Join Us
- 30 - 35 days annual leave per year plus statutory bank holidays and 5 university closure days pro rata
- Hybrid working - we encourage and offer a mixture of office working and working from home. You're empowered to define how you work best for the benefits of your stakeholders.
- Flexibility - take ownership over how you get your work done. We're open to different working patterns and approaches.
- Salary Sacrifice Retirement Savings Plan with life assurance and income protection. Available to colleagues who choose to opt out of the contractual pension scheme. Minimum colleague contributions of 0% matched with minimum NTU contributions of 8%.
- Access to a wealth of formal and informal professional development opportunities to develop your skills and advance your career.
- Range of health and wellbeing services, including a Health Cash Plan, voluntary benefits, discounts, and savings for all colleagues.
- And a whole lot more…Find out more about the range of benefits we offer.
Come and be part of our success. Apply today.
Safe and Inclusive
At NTU, we continue to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports and celebrates the diverse voices and experiences of our students and colleagues. By championing positive wellbeing, we promote an environment where all can thrive and reach their full potential. We welcome the unique contributions that you can bring and we encourage people from underrepresented communities and backgrounds to apply to join our team.
Please note that unfortunately, this role has been assessed as ineligible for sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration points-based immigration system however, we recommend that you assess your eligibility before applying for this position. For more information visit the Government Skilled Worker visa support page. However, applications are welcome from candidates who do not currently have the right to work in the UK, but who would be eligible to obtain a valid visa via another route. Please consult the Home Office website for further information.
Please note that this role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974) and successful applicants will be asked to declare any unspent criminal convictions.
