An exciting opportunity has arisen for a 3-year Post-Doctoral Research Fellow to join a major new research programme transforming the diagnosis and management of suspected seizures. Starting in June 2026, this three-year role is central to a multi-million-pound project funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) to develop and deploy community-based EEG solutions.
About the role
The purpose of the role is to discover, test, and validate the sophisticated digital biomarkers required to interpret data from affordable, wearable EEG technology. Thousands of people face long waits for hospital-based EEG tests, often with inconclusive results. This project aims to change that. Your work will be at the heart of creating robust analytical tools that provide an early and accurate indication of the underlying causes of seizure-like events, including epilepsy, functional neurological disorder (FND), and dementia.
You will be affiliated with the Cornwall Intellectual Disability Equitable Research (CIDER) unit, a research partnership between the University of Plymouth and Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. You will work closely with the project’s Principal Investigator, Professor John Terry, and the Clinical Lead, Professor Rohit Shankar.
Working with an extensive database of clinical EEG recordings, your research will address the following key challenges:
* How can we develop and validate digital biomarkers to differentiate between epilepsy, FND, and syncope from EEG data?
* How do we stress-test biomarker performance against synthetic signal disruptions that mimic real-world data quality issues?
* Can we validate the performance of novel biomarkers using data collected from our new headset in community-based feasibility studies?
For more information on Peninsula Medical School please visit our dedicated webpage at
For this role, you will need to be on site 3 days a week. Although we can accommodate working from home for this role, flexibility to be on-site will be expected due to business needs.
Due to the nature of this role, a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service Check will be required.
For an informal discussion to find out more about the role then please contact Professor John Terry: by email at
What we’re looking for
Working with an extensive database of clinical EEG recordings, your research will address the following key challenges:
* How can we develop and validate digital biomarkers to differentiate between epilepsy, FND, and syncope from EEG data?
* How do we stress-test biomarker performance against synthetic signal disruptions that mimic real-world data quality issues?
* Can we validate the performance of novel biomarkers using data collected from our new headset in community-based feasibility studies?• What is the impact of reduced signal resolution and electrode coverage on the accuracy of functional connectivity and network neuroscience measures?
* Can machine learning models trained on high-quality clinical data be adapted to work effectively with lower-quality data from community settings?
For more information about the job and the person specification, please refer to the job description.
About us
The Faculty of Health holds four Silver Athena Swan awards, which recognise our commitment to supporting gender equality within higher education.
The University of Plymouth has a strong interdisciplinary research ethos which is supported by our two strategic Research Institutes; the Marine Institute and the Sustainable Earth Institute. As a member of our academic community, you’ll be expected to contribute to our recognised research strengths. Working holistically across the University, you will be challenged to innovate, collaborate and deliver impactful research contributions as part of a systems thinking approach to addressing today’s global challenges.
Application Process
Please apply online, demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the knowledge, qualifications, training, skills and experience elements of the job description in your supporting statement.
Following the closing date of the vacancy, you will be notified on the outcome of your application in due course.
Our Offer
Staff appointed within the Faculty of Health may be able to join the NHS pension scheme subject to eligibility criteria.
We have a wide range of staff benefits available to employees, depending on eligibility:
* Generous annual leave: 35 Days Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays & Closure Days
* Generous pension scheme
* Cycle to Work & Electric Car Scheme
* Employee Assistance Programme
* Development opportunities
* Enhanced family leave
* Flexible working
* Retailer discounts
* On-site nursery
A summary of our comprehensive benefits can be viewed .
Additional Information
The University of Plymouth is an inclusive community where everyone is welcomed regardless of their background. To find out more about our inclusive community initiatives, such as Athena Swan and the Race Equality Charter, please visit our .