Postdoctoral Research Fellow

The Early Social Development and Intervention (ESDI) Lab at the University of South Carolina is seeking a postdoctoral research fellow to assist with several NIH-funded research studies related to infant development and early identification of autism spectrum disorder. Our longitudinal research focuses on quantifying the emergence of, and interrelations between, social behavior, visual attention, and motor skills in neonates, infants, and toddlers at elevated likelihood of ASD and other neurodevelopmental disorders (learn more at https://www.esdilab.com). The postdoctoral fellow will contribute to ongoing data collection and processing efforts, possibly including clinical characterization, as well as publication of manuscripts. The applicant should have a PhD in Psychology, Cognitive Science, Human Development, Communication Sciences and Disorders, or related field. Applied clinical and/or research experience focused on infants is required. Knowledge of developmental research methods, such as eye tracking, physiology (e.g., heart rate), and behavioral coding is highly desired.

Qualifications

• PhD in Psychology, Cognitive Science, Human Development, Communication Sciences and Disorders, or related field
• Applied experience with infants in clinical or research settings
• Knowledge of developmental research methods
• Interest in developmental science and neurodevelopmental disorders
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills

Additional Preferred Skills

• Training and experience in infant developmental assessment measures (language, cognitive, motor)
• Excellent computational, statistical, and technical skills
• Experience with eye tracking, physiology, and/or behavioral coding

To apply, please send a resume or CV and Cover Letter to jbradshaw@sc.edu

Postdoctoral Research Associate Position in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience

Laboratory for Child Brain Development

Department of Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Division, Washington University- St. Louis

The Laboratory for Child Brain Development (LCBD-PI: Dr. Susan Perlman) has an immediate opening for a postdoctoral training position to collaborate on several NIH funded studies.

The applicant’s main appointment will be in the Laboratory for Child Brain Development (http://www.childbrainlab.com) in the Washington University- St. Louis, School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, William Greenleaf Elliot Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (https://childpsychiatry.wustl.edu/).  The LCBD is dedicated to using multi-modal methodology to understand the trajectories of emotional development from infancy to middle childhood (with a strong preschool focus) in order to predict the onset of mental disorder.

The postdoc will have the opportunity to train in multi-modal neuroimaging methods including MRI, NIRS, EEG.  Behavioral (Eye-tracking, clinical interview), physiology (RSA), and immunology measures (hair and salivary cortisol, inflammatory markers) and also included in our research program.  Opportunities for publication include four main studies:

1. The EmoGrow Project: This study followed 4-5 year old children for two years to examine how early temperament predicts the onset of psychopathology and how the parent-child relationship can buffer these negative outcomes.  Data collection has finished in the complete sample of 151 children and includes MRI, NIRS, and behavioral methods (parent-child) interaction.
2. Parent and Me PCIT: This completed study examined parent-child interaction using interacting fNIRS in a sample of families seeking PCIT treatment.
3. The CARE Study: This project, which began data collection in winter 2021 is designed to study the biological unfolding of early-life stress as a precursor to psychopathology.  We will employ intensive, state-of-the-art, multi-modal, neurodevelopmental measurement in a sample of 225 4-6 year-old children and their parent, including fMRI, interpersonal neural synchronization between parent and child using fNIRS, facial expression and behavioral coding, hair and salivary cortisol, and measurement of inflammatory markers.  The CARE study recruits children experiencing attachment-related stress as a model for the biological unfolding of stress, while also examining external stressors and those that occur throughout the course of the study.  In this longitudinal study, families will be followed every 6 months across a 1.5 year time period.
4. Parent-to-Child Anxiety Transmission: A new project, expected to begin in Fall 2021, will examine parental transmission of anxiety to preschool children.  This project includes fNIRS, EEG, and behavioral coding and will focus on parent-child interaction and socialization of anxious behaviors through child observation.  A subaim of the study focuses on anxiety transmission in fathers.

The postdoctoral fellow will be an integral member of the scientific team at the Laboratory for Child Brain Development and will have rich opportunities to publish and present at conferences using all available laboratory data.  The fellow will also be encouraged and supported to develop supplementary studies via the NIH NRSA and/or K Award mechanisms in addition to smaller foundation grants.  The postdoctoral fellow will develop, implement, and disseminate cutting-edge fMRI and fNIRS analysis tools through Dr. Perlman’s Laboratory for Child Brain Development and in collaboration with local and national collaborators.

The Washington University-St. Louis, Department of Psychiatry provides an ideal training environment for postdoctoral fellows, including the Career and Research Development Seminars designed to promote the professional, career development, and grantsmanship skills necessary to launch an independent career through the NIH K Award mechanism.  Wash U is home to a thriving neuroimaging community and is a leader in developmental psychopathology research.  St. Louis and the local surrounding areas offer an affordable, diverse, and family-friendly community with rich university resources.

Position requires a PhD or MD/PhD in a neuroscience, psychology, computer science, or engineering related field.  The ideal candidate will have fluency in MATLAB, Python, or related language and expertise in fMRI, fNIRS, or EEG and will be able to implement cutting-edge neuroimaging analysis techniques such as network analyses, Multi-Variate Pattern Analysis, or hyperscanning.  The successful candidate will have an excellent publication record with demonstrated interest in developmental cognitive neuroscience and will combine a collaborative orientation with the ability to function well independently.

The postdoctoral fellowship is open immediately, however, the position will remain open until filled.  The LCBD is willing to hold the position for availability of the ideal candidate.  The fellow will be asked to commit to a minimum of 2 years on the project, however, the position may be extended up to 4 years contingent upon progress.  Applicants will be considered until the position is filled.  To apply please send a cover letter, C.V., and names and contact information of three references to: Susan Perlman, Ph.D. at perlmansusan@wustl.edu.  Questions can be addressed to Dr. Perlman directly.

Research Associate

Institute of Human Development and Social Change

Dr. Pamela Morris is seeking candidates for multiple positions at the postdoctoral and advanced graduate student level to act as members of the research team for projects spanning the areas of parenting, school readiness, early childhood education, and pre-kindergarten at the intersection of research, practice, and policy.

Dr. Morris’ current work spans three main projects: 1) the study of an integrated primary/secondary parenting intervention within the population-scalable pediatric care platform called Smart Beginnings; 2) large-scale randomized experiments of enhancements to preschool, work with NYC’s Department of Education to strengthen the research architecture in the context of their historic Universal Pre-K expansion and 3) Morris’ newest research addresses adolescent suicide from a developmentally-informed, population-health perspective. For a description of Dr. Morris’ portfolio of research, please visit her NYU Faculty Bio page here.

The Research Associate’s primary responsibilities include management of data collection efforts, proposal development, data analysis, study coordination and project management and write-up of findings in the form of journal articles and book chapters. The position will allow for a dynamic experience that offers both breadth and depth in the realm of early childhood research and policy work. The Research Associate position offers several excellent training opportunities, including collaboration with senior and junior members of the research team and cross-institutional networking. There is a rich array of seminars in related areas of study and workshops in research methods and statistics available through the Institute of Human Development and Social Change and through NYU more broadly. Competitive postdoctoral salary and attractive fringe benefits; support for local travel costs and conference travel related to study activities. Minimum one-year commitment required, with the potential for a one-year renewal pending satisfactory performance and budgetary approval.

Qualifications

There are multiple positions available. Candidates should have completed or be in the advanced stages of doctoral training in prevention science, developmental, clinical, or educational psychology, or related social science field. Experience in data and project management, grants development and manuscript preparation is critical. Relevant analytic skills are required, including proficiency in quantitative methodology (with experience programming in SAS, STATA and Mplus preferred). Ability to work well independently and in a multidisciplinary team; good organization skills and attention to detail; and excellent oral and written communication skills necessary. Track record of academic publications and presentations for scholarly and policy audiences a plus.

Application Instructions

We are accepting applications immediately and will review applications on a rolling basis. To apply, upload CV, cover letter/ statement of interest, writing sample (thesis chapter or published article), and names, phone numbers and email addresses of three referees via Interfolio. If you have any questions, please contact Helena Wippick (helenawippick@nyu.edu).

There are opportunities for both full-time and part-time positions. Full benefits are offered to full-time staff. Candidates should be able to travel to New York University’s Washington Square Campus several times a week for work onsite. Salary is commensurate with experience and position type. Applications will be reviewed immediately and on a rolling basis. Please include in your cover letter your earliest available start date. We strongly prefer candidates who can begin between July and August 2021.

Postdoctoral position: Open Science Practice in Infant Research

The Concordia Infant Research Lab, directed by Dr. Krista Byers-Heinlein, is seeking a Concordia Horizon Postdoctoral Fellow to join our dynamic and friendly lab. The lab is housed in the Psychology Department of Concordia University in Montreal, on the beautiful Loyola Campus. The postdoctoral fellow will be positioned at the forefront of an Open Science revolution in infancy research, a movement which aims to improve the practice of scientific research based on cooperative work and new ways of diffusing knowledge by using digital technologies and collaborative tools. The postdoctoral fellow will take a leadership role in large, international collaborative projects on infant development (i.e., ManyBabies) and conduct meta-science research aimed at improving research and Open Science practice in infant research. The postdoctoral fellow will have the opportunity to develop their own research ideas within the context of a research program on early language acquisition and bilingualism, implementing and innovating Open Science practice.

Academic qualifications required

·       PhD in Psychology, Cognitive Science, or a related discipline

·       Excellent computational, statistical, and technical skills (knowledge of R is an asset)

·       Demonstrated commitment to Open Science

·       Interest in human development, particularly in the areas of infancy and bilingual development

·       Excellent organizational and communication skills

Eligibility requirements

·       Applicants must adhere to the postdoctoral fellow eligibility criteria outlined in Concordia University’s Postdoctoral Policy

·       Both Canadian and International applicants are encouraged to apply

·       While the lab is temporarily operating remotely, the postdoctoral fellow must be able to relocate to Canada to commence employment

Timeline and application process

·       Start date is flexible, but preferably summer/fall 2021

·       Applications will be considered on a rolling basis beginning on June 14, 2021, until the position is filled.

Application checklist

·       One to three (1-3) page research statement/cover letter demonstrating fit with the program described above

·       Current curriculum vitae demonstrating research excellence and a capacity for leadership in the domain (maximum 5 pages)

·       Names and contact information of two referees

·       Submit all documents by e-mail to Hilary Killam, kbh.coordinator@concordia.ca

Value

The prestigious Horizon Postdoctoral Fellowships are valued at $47,500 per year plus benefits and full access to Concordia’s services, including GradProSkills.