About the Opportunity
Position Overview
Discipline
Computer Science
Faculty
Computing, Mathematics, Engineering and Natural Sciences (CoMENS)
Location
London, Devon House (St Katherines Dock)
Term
Fixed term: One Year (Full-time)
Salary Range
Grade 6 spine point 28 - £37,960 per annum
Direct Reports
Research Assistant in Psychology/Cognitive Science
Reports to
Dimitris Mylonas
Benefits
The university supports staff maintaining a good work/life balance, offer flexible working and parental leave opportunities, an Employee Assistance Programme which provides free, confidential advice on both home and work concerns as well as optional private medical insurance, season ticket loans and being part of the cycle to work scheme.
Start
April 2026
The Role
Northeastern University London invites applications for a Research Assistant (RA) in Psychology/Cognitive Science. The successful candidate will work on the "Cones-to-Words" research project. The project investigates colour communication under diverse viewing conditions and across languages. By combining behavioural methods with machine learning, it aims to develop physiologically-based models of lexical colour categorisation. This is a multidisciplinary project with practical applications.
The successful candidate will join the research team at the Northeastern University London campus near St Katharine's Dock, led by Dr Dimitris Mylonas (Principal Investigator, NU London). They will join a multidisciplinary team of experts in machine learning and colour vision, including Professor Alexandros Koliousis (NU London), Professor Rhea T. Eskew (NU Boston), and Professor Andrew Stockman (UCL), as well as with technical support staff. As part of a friendly team of graduate researchers, the candidate will interact with PhD students and will be assisted by a Post-Doctoral Research Associate. Preference may be given to candidates with active interests in one or more of the following areas: colour vision, machine learning, computer vision, and virtual reality.
The core duties of the RA will include: (i) participant recruitment and on-site data collection; (ii) data transcription, clearing, and pre-processing. The lab-based experiments will involve behavioural testing on calibrated desktop monitors and in Virtual Reality (VR). Depending on previous experience and personal interests, the RA may also be included in: (i) data analysis of on-site and online ) experiments; (ii) implementation and evaluation of machine learning models; (iii) designing of VR environments (Unreal) and VR programming; (iv) eye-tracking data analysis.
We particularly encourage applications from those belonging to groups underrepresented in UK higher education. We are open to appointing on a reduced fraction/job-share basis, subject to our business needs.
About the Faculty
The recently formed Faculty of Computing, Mathematics, Engineering, and Natural Sciences (CoMENS) is undergoing significant growth at Northeastern University London. It is home to four interdisciplinary undergraduate dual-degree (in UK and US) programmes in the areas of Data Science, Data Science and Politics, Computer Science and Business, and Computer Science and Philosophy; four postgraduate programs in the areas of AI Ethics, Data Science, Computer Science, and Technology Leadership; and five degree apprenticeship programmes in the areas of AI, Data Science, Digital and Technology Solutions, and Biosciences.
The Faculty plays a major part in Northeastern University's first-year student mobility program, offering undergraduate courses in Computer and Data Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Physics, Biology, Chemistry and Healthcare, striving to inspire and equip entering students to be outstanding scientists.
Person Specification Criteria
To undertake this role, the following should apply: if you do not have the experience below, please highlight where transferable skills would assist you in undertaking the role.
Qualifications
* Master's or bachelor's degree in Psychology, Computer Science, Cognitive Science, Human Colour Vision, Virtual Reality, Computational Neuroscience, Computer Vision or related quantitative field.
Key Criteria
* Experience in conducting experiments with human participants
* Programming skills in Python and/or MATLAB
* Excellent time-management and organisational skills
* Excellent written and verbal interpersonal communication skills
Additional skills
* Familiarity with programming and design in Virtual Reality software like Unreal
* Knowledge of computational models of human colour vision
* Machine learning
* Knowledge of Web languages
* Experience conducting and/or analysing eye-tracking data
* Demonstrated ability to plan, execute, and publish research
Additional Information
Enquiries
Informal enquiries may be made to Dr Dimitris Mylonas, Primary Investigator of the Cones-to-Words project ). However, all applications must be made in accordance with the application process specified.
Application Process
Participation in the equal opportunities section is encouraged, but voluntary.
Applications must include a CV and a covering letter of no more than one page that addresses the criteria for the role and includes the names and contact information of up to three references. References will only be sought for short-listed candidates.
Interviews are expected to take place between the 1st of February and the 28th of February, 2026.
The panel will be shortlisting for this position on a rolling basis, so please apply as soon as possible. We reserve the right to close this post before the closing date if we receive a large number of applications.
Please note this role may require a basic or enhanced DBS check. Our organisation acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard, protect and promote the welfare of our students and staff, and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice and Ofsted requirements. You must adhere to the above if you are offered a role with NU London.
Applications are welcome from all sections of the community and will be judged on merit alone. We welcome applications from underrepresented groups. Candidates must be able to demonstrate their eligibility to work in the UK in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006.
Job sponsorship. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Position Type
Salary Range
£37,960 per annum, Grade 6 spine point 28
Additional Information
About the University
Northeastern University London (NU London) is a prestigious higher education institution based in the heart of London and is part of Northeastern University's global campus network. Overlooking the River Thames near Tower Bridge, NU London offers academically challenging educational programmes designed to inspire innovative thinking, encourage interdisciplinary study, and provide global experiences. The bright and modern campus offers award winning, contemporary facilities for students and staff including state of the art audio visual technology in its teaching and meeting spaces.
Inspired by excellence, infused with an energy of ideas and ability in motion, at NU London, being a part of our staff is to be a part of a collective of entrepreneurs and educators, builders and thinkers. NU London is growing quickly, offering opportunity and growth for our staff. Currently hosting 1,500 students, our aim is to have 4000 students by 2028/29.
Choose NU London
As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, the University supports staff maintaining a good work/life balance, your health and wellness are of utmost importance to us, and our offerings encompass:
* 25 days annual leave, plus 8 bank holidays and winter break holidays (normally 2 days between Christmas and New Year).
* Access to personalised Continuous Professional Development (CPD) plans and opportunities.
* Support with private medical insurance.
* Eye test reimbursement.
* Cycle Scheme vouchers.
* 24/7 employee assistance/ support via our Employee Assistance Programme.
* Access to deals and discounts for food & shopping in the local area.
Enquiries
Informal enquiries may be made to:
Dimitrios Mylonas
They can be reached at the following:
However, all applications must be made in accordance with the application process specified.
Application process
Applications should be made by 00:00 on the job posting's end date (if applicable).
Participation in the equal opportunities section is encouraged, but voluntary.
Applications must include a covering letter of no more than one page that addresses the criteria for the role and a full curriculum vitae.
The panel will be shortlisting for this position on a rolling basis so please apply as soon as possible. We reserve the right to close this post before the closing date if we receive a large number of applications.
Please note all employees of Northeastern University London are required to undergo at least a basic DBS check. Our organisation acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard, protect and promote the welfare of our students and staff, and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice and Ofsted requirements. You must adhere to the above if you are offered a role with NU London.
For staff's own wellbeing, for part time roles, the expectation is if you have multiple roles, they should not exceed full time (37.5 hours per week), and for full time roles, the expectation is that this will be your only role (apart from intermittent roles).
Applications are welcome from all sections of the community and will be judged on merit alone. We welcome applications from all underrepresented groups, including the Global Majority. Candidates must be able to demonstrate their eligibility to work in the UK in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006.