Dear colleagues, We are looking for a candidate with a quantitative background who has completed (or is about to complete) a PhD in a quantitative field for a post-doctoral position within the RESTED (REbalancing circadian rhythms in Sleep and heart rate To Ease Dissociative symptoms) project in order to model the links between Mental Health and SCRD (sleep and other circadian rhythm disturbances). Underlying the project is evidence that feelings of dissociation are strongly associated with sleep disorders and are a transdiagnostic risk factor for the development of depression, anxiety and psychosis. However, no one has investigated the role of dissociative symptoms in the links between SCRD (sleep and other circadian rhythm disorders) and MH (mental health). We propose to model how fluctuations in sleep and heart rate are related to fluctuations in dissociation, depression, anxiety and psychosis. Based on this understanding, our vision is to prevent the clinical course of these symptoms with low-cost interventions that improve sleep and heart rate. Specifically, in RESTED we want to determine cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between sleep, heart rate and symptoms of dissociation, depression, anxiety and psychosis in adolescents and young adults. In addition, we want to develop novel circadian biomarkers, sleep detection technologies and analytical approaches to model bidirectional associations between sleep, autonomic function and daily fluctuations in cognition and emotion. To do this, we will use Mediation Analysis, Granger Causality and Directed Information. Finally, we will use Explainable AI methods, and Machine Learning models to predict mental health variables from circadian variables. The PostDoc will be based at the University of Essex School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering (CSEE) although the candidate will join our entire interdisciplinary team working in collaboration with the University of Sussex, Birmingham and the NHS. The University of Essex houses the Centre for Brain Science and various BCI laboratories, with access to state-of-the-art EEG and EMG equipment, computer-controlled electrical and mechanical stimulators and other devices to optimally measure sensory, motor and associated cortical activity. CSEE, ranked 6th in the UK as research power in the last REF, has several laboratories including one of the best BCI laboratories in Europe and a Health AI laboratory, and international collaborations with prestigious foreign research institutes including the Biotech campus of EPFL Geneva and the Institute of Neuroinformatics at ETH Zurich. Duties of the role To analyse data collected in pre-existing databases using statistical analysis techniques such as mediation analysis. To organise the data collected from participants using health bands (actigraphy, ECG, etc.) To use statistical and AI techniques to model causal relationships between the phenomena described in the project description.• To implement a sleep stages classifier using machine learning and deep learning techniques. To summarise the results obtained and participate in the writing of scientific publications. To undertake or manage practical elements of research such as setting up and conducting experiments, developing questionnaires and conducting fieldwork, recording data and identifying trends or patterns. To produce research outputs for publication at acceptable levels of volume and academic excellence and disseminate the result of research and scholarship through appropriate Knowledge Exchange activities (such as at relevant national and international conferences and scholarly publications not intended for the REF). To contribute to the development and maintenance or research resources (examples of which include household surveys, databases, specialist equipment and infrastructure, software packages and computer models) used within the Department or wider user community external to the Department. To, supervise and/or mentor postgraduate research students into relevant communities of research at Essex as appropriate to the departmental context to generate meaningful connections between research and education at Essex. Skills and qualifications required Applicants are expected to hold a PhD in a relevant field (engineering, mathematics, computer science or physics), or be close to completion of PhD. You will have the ability and willingness to complement and enhance the research project/department/school’s education and research strengths and areas of planned development. Strong communication skills, both written and verbal are also essential for the post. Specific knowledge and skills are also required: - Strong mathematical and programming skills. - Wide and documented experience in Signal Processing, Machine Learning, Deep Learning and Data Analysis - Experience with physiological signal analysis or expertise in computational neuroscience. - Proficiency in MATLAB or Python. - Demonstrated ability to work independently and overcome complex technical challenges. For more information about the position please contact Dr Vito De Feo vito.defeo@essex.ac.uk To apply: https://vacancies.essex.ac.uk/tlive_webrecruitment/wrd/run/ETREC107GF.open?V... Best wishes, Vito Dr. Vito De Feo Lecturer in Health Artificial Intelligence for Brain and Mental Health Artificial Intelligence Team and Consumer Neuroscience Research Cluster Future Health Technology and Brain-Computer Interfaces laboratories, School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK