Applications are now being accepted for a 2-year post-doctoral fellowship in Developmental Science at the Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences (I-LABS), University of Washington. The work combines developmental psychology, engineering, and disabilities research. Start date is September 2021 or sooner. Please see below and attached for more information.

Post-Doctoral Fellowship:

Impact of Early Mobility on Learning, Communication, & Brain in Children with Disabilities

The University of Washington’s Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences (I-LABS) has an opening for a post-doctoral research scientist interested in how motor experience/mobility, cognition, spatial understanding, and communication interact in child development. We are focusing on how access to self-initiated mobility technology (adapted ride-on cars, power wheelchairs) may impact early learning, linguistic communication, spatial/cognitive development, and brain functioning in children with disabilities (e.g., cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, or genetic conditions). This individual will work closely with a team of psychologists, neuroscientists, engineers and rehabilitation professionals from I-LABS and the UW Center for Research and Education on Accessible Technology & Experiences (CREATE) to explore the impact of mobility technology for children ages 1-3 years on developmental outcome measures.

The primary responsibilities of the post-doctoral researcher will be to engage in testing and tracking the impact of various mobility interventions on cognitive/spatial, linguistic, and social skills of the children, with the possibility of later assessments of brain changes. We are looking for candidates who have a passion for multidisciplinary research as well as: (i) deep expertise in the developmental outcomes (cognitive/spatial, communicative, social, and eventually brain) of mobility technology deployment in children with disabilities, and (ii) an interest in the technical aspects of mobility devices. You will be working with children with disabilities and their families, psychologists, and rehabilitation professionals. This research is led by Drs. Andrew Meltzoff and Patricia Kuhl from I-LABS, Dr. Heather Feldner from the UW’s Dept. of Rehabilitation Medicine & Disability Studies, and Dr. Kat Steele from the UW’s Dept. of Mechanical Engineering.

The overarching mission of I-LABS is to understand the mechanisms of human learning, especially in early development: http://ilabs.washington.edu. The overarching mission of CREATE is to make technology accessible, and make the world accessible through technology: https://create.uw.edu

Qualifications:

Applicants should have a PhD in a field such as developmental psychology, speech and hearing sciences, or neuroscience. Experience working with children and families, and experience with a variety of developmental measures and assessments of children with disabilities is strongly preferred. Strong oral and written communication skills and the ability to work as an effective member of a multidisciplinary team are critical for the success of this research. Candidates from underrepresented groups, including candidates with disabilities, are encouraged to apply.

To Apply:

Applicants should provide (1) a cover letter clearly describing your interest and relevant background for this project, (2) a CV, (3) copies of two representative publications, and (4) contact information for three references. Project questions and application materials may be submitted via email to Erica Stevens, I-LABS: estevens@uw.edu

Application Deadlines:

The application period is now open. Application review is ongoing and will continue until the position is filled. Start date is flexible; but Sept. 15, 2021 is preferred.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status.

Commitment to Diversity:

The University of Washington is committed to building diversity among its faculty, librarian, staff, and student communities, and articulates that commitment in the UW Diversity Blueprint: http://www.washington.edu/diversity/diversity-blueprint/.

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