Research Associate: Neural Control of Movement in Parkinson's Disease at Cardiff University

Please note that this job is open only to current Cardiff University staff who are eligible for Redeployment.

Internal Redeployment Only - Research Associate: Neural control of movement in Parkinson's Disease 
School of Healthcare Sciences, Cardiff University

Applications are invited for a Research Associate position funded by Parkinson’s UK and based in the School of Healthcare Sciences at Cardiff University Heath Park campus.

The successful candidate will join the Research Centre for Clinical Kinesiology to investigate the neural mechanisms underlying movement in Parkinson’s disease. Working with a highly novel experimental setup that combines transcranial magnetic stimulation of the motor cortex with the MOTEK Gait Real-time Interactive Laboratory (GRAIL), they will develop and validate a gait initiation task requiring inhibition of planned stepping movements. This task will be tailored for people with Parkinson’s and used to explore how inhibitory circuits in the primary motor cortex contribute to the release of stepping movements, comparing individuals with and without freezing of gait.

This work is funded by a Parkinson’s UK project grant. For an informal discussion please contact Jennifer Davies, Senior Lecturer on [email protected].

This position is full-time (35 hours per week), is fixed term and is available from 1st November 2025 to 31st October 2028.

Secondment opportunity welcome - please note for Cardiff University staff members interested in this post on a secondment basis, permissions will need to be sought from your current Line Manager before applying. 

Salary: £41,064 - £46,049 per annum (Grade 6)
Appointments to roles at Cardiff University are usually made at bottom of scale unless in exceptional circumstances.

Closing date: Tuesday, 14 October 2025

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities age.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements. 

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English. 
 
Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at:  Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University 

To conduct research on the neural control of walking in Parkinson's disease and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and the University, carrying out research leading to the publishing of high-quality research. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same. 

Research

• To conduct research working on a joint project with Cardiff University & Exeter University. The project is funded by Parkinson’s UK titled “Inside the Brain: Neural Mechanisms Underlying the Critical Moment of a Freeze in Parkinson's Disease”. This will include

1. Working with external stakeholders to establish and lead a new patient advisory group to ensure meaningful patient involvement throughout the project.
2. Developing and optimising a task that requires inhibition of planned stepping movements, to be performed alongside brain stimulation within a globally unique experimental setup that combines transcranial magnetic stimulation within a gait real-time interactive laboratory (GRAIL) system. This task must be feasible, acceptable and safe for people with Parkinson’s.
3. Leading experimental studies using this task to evaluate the inhibitory circuits within the primary motor cortex that are involved in the release of planned stepping movements in people with Parkinson’s with and without freezing of gait.

• To engage with Parkinson’s UK, including conduct visits to local branches for study recruitment and dissemination activities.
• To coordinate, conduct, and report on patient and public involvement sessions at the University and in community settings.
• To undertake administrative tasks associated with the research project, including the planning and organisation of the project and the implementation of procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting
• To prepare research ethics and research governance applications as appropriate, including consideration of issues specific to vulnerable participants
• To review and synthesise existing research literature within the field
• To contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University by the production of measurable outputs including publishing in national academic journals and conferences. 
• To participate in School Research activities. 
• To build and create networks both internally and externally to the university, to influence decisions, explore future research requirements, and share research ideas for the benefit of research projects

Other

• To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.
• To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world

• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

46,049

Grade 6

41,064

Academic - Research

Research