Job Bank

The Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences (https://psychology.uiowa.edu/) at the University of Iowa (http://www.uiowa.edu/) invites applications for a full-time postdoctoral research scholar position in Dr. Grazyna Kochanska’s laboratory.

Dr. Kochanska is seeking an excellent candidate for a post-doctoral position in her laboratory. She is at an early stage of a large, NICHD-funded longitudinal study of social-emotional development from infancy to preschool age. Existing large longitudinal data sets from several completed studies also continue to be analyzed and published. Consequently, the position allows for outstanding productivity and a great start of a research career.

The key skills include extreme familiarity with data management of very large multi-method multi-trait data sets and excellent data-analytic skills relevant to large longitudinal studies. Expertise in up-to-date approaches to the testing of mediation and moderation is particularly critical. Expertise in structural equation modeling and relevant computer packages (SPSS, Mplus, etc.) is required. Analytic skills specific to complex longitudinal data are also highly preferable. Strong writing skills are important as well.

In addition to working with data, the successful candidate will engage in multiple research activities important for a future academic career (coding various behavioral data, mentoring graduate and undergraduate students, etc.). The scope of our research is broad. We study parent-child relationships, temperament, children’s and parents’ social cognition, and children’s adjustment, among other topics, and we use a wide variety of methods (e.g., observations, reports, interviews). Consequently, candidates may have diverse backgrounds (e.g., developmental psychology and psychopathology, clinical psychology).

The position is initially funded for one year, but subsequent years may be available.  Start time may be negotiated. Candidates who have completed all of their requirements for their PHD, but the degree has not yet been conferred, will be considered. The salary will reflect the current NIH schedule.

Iowa has recently been ranked as #1 state to live: https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/iowa. Iowa City is a vibrant, charming university town.

To apply for this position, please contact Dr. Grazyna Kochanska at grazyna-kochanska@uiowa.edu. Please send: (1) a letter of interest that describes research accomplishments, skills, and future research plans, (2) full curriculum vitae, and (3) names and contact information of 2-3 individuals who will provide letters of recommendation if asked.  Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

The Department and the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences are strongly committed to diversity; the strategic plans of the University and College reflect this commitment. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, religion, associational preference, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

Institute of Child Development College of Education and Human Development

The Institute of Child Development at the University of Minnesota seeks an outstanding candidate for a tenure-track position in developmental psychopathology at the Assistant Professor level. We are particularly interested in researchers who (1) study populations at risk because of discrimination, inequality, historical trauma, etc.; (2) study normative and atypical development together in order to understand basic processes that influence pathways of development toward or away from pathological or maladaptive outcomes; (3) adopt a multiple levels of analysis approach (including but not limited to crossing behavior with one or preferably more of the following: genetics, epigenetics, neurobiological, relational, or sociocultural); (4) examine gene-environment interplay; and/or (5) conduct theoretically informative translational research via randomized control trials and/or intervention studies. Similarly, skills in advanced developmental research methods and/or statistical expertise are of interest. All applicants are expected to have strong and fundable research programs and to contribute to both graduate and undergraduate supervision and instruction in developmental psychology/developmental psychopathology. A strong developmental orientation to research and teaching is required.  ICD is committed to building a culturally diverse faculty and strongly encourages applications from minority candidates and other under-represented groups.

Review of applications will begin on October 1, 2018 with the position open until filled. An on-line application is required for this position. Please access the University of Minnesota Employment System at https://humanresources.umn.edu/jobs and search for Job Opening ID: 324495.

Completed applications will include a letter addressing qualifications, curriculum vita, a description of the applicant’s research program, up to four representative publications, a teaching statement, and letters of recommendation from three individuals familiar with the applicant’s work. All supporting materials, except for the reference letters, should be attached electronically to the on-line application. Inform your references that letters of recommendation should be emailed to mordo001@umn.edu

The University of Minnesota is an EEO/AA employer.  Women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Are you a champion for babies?

Do you aspire to be an innovative, transformative leader?

Do you have an aspirational vision that can change the world for infants and toddlers?

Join more than 300 alumni around the world who have used the ZERO TO THREE Fellowship as a spring board to advance systems and policy change for infants and toddlers. With our extensive network of diverse expert leaders and robust professional development opportunities—infused with your unique skills and passion for change—our impact is infinite!!

SPREAD THE WORD: The ZERO TO THREE Fellowship is accepting applications for the 2018-2020 Fellowship Class through Monday, May 14, 2018 at 3 p.m. (ET).

 SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION HERE

The Bellevue Project for Early Language, Literacy, and Education Success (BELLE) is seeking a bilingual Postdoctoral Fellow to work on behavioral research projects within the Department of Pediatrics at NYU Langone Health. The BELLE Project (led by PI: Alan Mendelsohn, MD) is dedicated in part to developing and evaluating interventions aimed at promoting parent-child interactions to enhance school readiness in low-income children. Our multidisciplinary team of researchers brings together experts from a wide range of fields, including pediatric, developmental psychology, and education.  Additional details about our research and publications can be found at belle.med.nyu.edu.

A primary focus of this Postdoctoral Fellowship will be on funded projects taking place in Brazil (Portuguese fluency is required).  The candidate will be responsible for management of scientific and administrative operations for these projects, including high levels of collaboration with colleagues in Brazil.  In addition, the candidate will have significant opportunities for involvement in other ongoing research.  This fellowship provides substantial opportunities for new PhDs seeking significant experience, mentorship, and networking, as well as close collaboration with the Principal Investigator and considerable involvement in authorship of abstracts, presentations, and papers.

Scientific Responsibilities:

• Participation in research design and methodology
• Coordination with international collaborators in Brazil to provide oversight for data collection, processing, organization, management, and analysis (including database design and management).
• Development of parent interviews, child assessments, and measures of parent/child interactions
• Coordination and oversight of transcription and coding of videotapes of parent/child interactions in Portuguese (including training and supervising of staff and volunteers on coding processes, development of coding schemes, and overseeing reliability and fidelity of coding)
• Execution of statistical analyses and generation of reports
• Coordination with representatives of hospitals, universities, and agencies involved
• Liaison to colleagues at other institutions
• Write-up of and support for grant applications and reports
• Dissemination of findings, including leadership role on certain publications and presentations
• Scientific assistance with other research projects as needed

Administrative Responsibilities:

• Development and maintenance of grant, financial, and other regulatory records, including budgetary materials and Institutional Review Board records.
• General project management tasks
• Translation of materials between English and Portuguese
• Administrative assistance with other research projects as needed

Requirements:

• PhD in developmental psychology, education, or related field
• Fluency in Portuguese (fluency in Spanish is beneficial but not required)
• 3+ years of research experience, and previous experience supervising employees, students, or volunteers
• Independent writing skills and communication skills, in English and Portuguese
• Proficiency with database and statistical software required (for example, Microsoft Excel, SPSS, R, STATA, REDCap); previous experience with database development preferred
• Proficiency with statistical design and analysis

This is a full-time position with comprehensive benefits.  A 1- to 2- year commitment is required. Position will be based in New York City; candidate must be able and willing to travel between New York and locations in Brazil as needed (up to approximately 4x per year). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. To apply, submit a CV/resume and cover letter to Yuliya Gurevich (belle.jobs@gmail.com) with “Postdoctoral Fellowship” in the subject line.

The BUILD Lab at Emory University in Atlanta, GA conducts research on early childhood development as well as maternal stress from a biosocial perspective (http://brennanlab.wixsite.com/build).  We are seeking a full time research specialist to join our team as we examine the impact of prenatal stress and environmental exposures across the first 18 months of life.

Our NIH funded Baby Microbiome Study is focused on African American families who may encounter increased prenatal risks and how those risks may impact early development. A novel aspect of this study is the assessment of the infant gut microbiome (the bacteria that live on and within us) as a potential mechanism through which these risks are transmitted.

Basic qualifications: Bachelor’s degree (psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology or related field). This position requires that you are able to provide your own transportation to participants’ homes in the greater metropolitan Atlanta area to conduct maternal interviews and developmental infant assessments. Biospecimens are also collected at the visits. Some participant visits may occur on the weekends or evenings.

Additional qualifications: The position will involve administering infant developmental measures including the NNNS (NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale) and the Bayley Scales of Infant Development. A degree in Psychology or Infant Development, or experience with these measures, is highly preferred. Strong interpersonal and communicative skills as well as cultural-competency are required for this position as it involves interaction with newly delivered African American infants and their mothers; preference will be given to those with experience in working with mothers and infants in African American communities.

Additional information: This is a one year, grant funded position with the possibility of renewal. The university offers excellent benefits in a rich research environment. To apply, please submit a cover letter and CV to Julie Carroll at jacarro@emory.edu.  The position is open immediately and applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.

The Child Development Lab at the University of Maryland is searching for a person to fill the position of Research Assistant. The successful applicant will work on a study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, called the Temperament Over Time Study. This large, longitudinal study examines the effects of infant temperament on later social and cognitive development and examines trajectories of development that may result in the emergence of psychopathology in adolescence.  The study is being conducted in collaboration with the Section on Developmental Affective Neuroscience at the National Institute of Mental Health. RAs work with clinical psychologists, developmental and cognitive neuroscientists, and brain imagers involved in the project. The position involves recruiting, scheduling, and assessing adolescents and their families and will involve seeing subjects on week-ends.

A Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Human Cognitive or Affective Neuroscience, or a social science related field is required. The position requires attention to detail, organizational and planning abilities, and excellent interpersonal skills.  Experience working or completing research with children, families or adolescents is preferred. The position can begin as early as June 1, 2018 and requires a two-year commitment.  Interested individuals should send a cover letter, CV, and the names and email addresses of two references to Dr. Nathan A. Fox at fox@umd.edu and Dr. Kaylee Seddio at kseddio@umd.edu.

The Laboratories of Cognitive Neuroscience (LCN) at Boston Children’s Hospital are dedicated to furthering our understanding of brain and cognitive development in children diagnosed with or at risk for various developmental disorders. Our multidisciplinary team of researchers brings together experts from a wide range of fields, including neuroscience, psychology, and education. In collaboration with clinical experts in fields such as developmental pediatrics and child neurology, we are working to expand our knowledge of neurodevelopmental disorders. Through this collaborative and comprehensive approach, we aim to drive the science forward as rapidly as possible, so that we can translate what we learn into earlier identification, improved therapies, and better outcomes for children and families affected by developmental disorders.

The Clinical Research Specialist (CRS) will join the Emotion Project team in the Nelson Lab. The CRS will coordinate day-to day operations and functions for a longitudinal study investigating the neural bases of emotion processing in typically developing young children. The project uses electrophysiology, functional near infrared spectroscopy, physiology, eye tracking, and behavioral measures in a cohort of children being followed from infancy to 7 years of age. Responsibilities include working with, and coordinating a team of undergraduate students, postdocs, and research staff associated with the research project in addition to IRB management and preparing progress reports. Furthermore, the CRS will work closely with team members on the development, coordination, and implementation of research procedures, and will contribute to running the day-to-day operations for research protocols in the Labs of Cognitive Neuroscience under the direction of the Principal Investigator and the Program Manager.

Eligible candidates have the following qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree in psychology, cognitive science, neuroscience, or related field, as well as a 2-year commitment to the position
• Experience working with infants or children in a research setting, preferably using physiological, behavioral or neuroimaging measures such as eye tracking, heart rate, EEG, or ERP
• At least two years of paid professional experience working in a research setting with human subjects
• Availability for flexible scheduling including evenings and weekends
• Computer skills including working knowledge of PC and Mac operating systems, basic statistics software (e.g. Excel, SPSS), and basic experimental presentation and collection software (e.g., ePrime, Redcap, Matlab)
• Ability to assist with grant preparation, publications, presentations and/or applications to an Institutional Review Board
• High level of motivation; ability to work independently and as part of a team; excellent communication, organization, and attention to detail

To apply, please complete the online lab application form and upload a CV and letter of interest.

Contact Alissa Westerlund with any questions

The Laboratories of Cognitive Neuroscience (LCN) at Boston Children’s Hospital are dedicated to furthering our understanding of brain and cognitive development in children diagnosed with or at risk for various developmental disorders. Our multidisciplinary team of researchers brings together experts from a wide range of fields, including neuroscience, psychology, and education. In collaboration with clinical experts in fields such as developmental pediatrics and child neurology, we are working to expand our knowledge of neurodevelopmental disorders. Through this collaborative and comprehensive approach, we aim to drive the science forward as rapidly as possible, so that we can translate what we learn into earlier identification, improved therapies, and better outcomes for children and families affected by developmental disorders.

The Clinical Research Specialist (CRS) will work on a collaborative project between Boston Children’s Hospital (PI Charles Nelson) and Boston University (PI Helen Tager-Flusberg) that is investigating the early development of infants who have an older sibling with an autism spectrum disorder, infants displaying delays at their 12 month well-baby visit, and infants with no developmental concerns. Our goal is to find signs that suggest risk for this disorder between infants with an older sibling with an autism spectrum disorder, and those displaying developmental concern, based on early differences detected on a screening tool. The project will use electrophysiology, eye tracking and behavioral measures in a group of 3- to 36-month-old children who are participating in a longitudinal study. Responsibilities include working with, and coordinating a team of undergraduate students, postdocs, and research staff associated with the research project in addition to IRB management and preparing progress reports. The CRS will be responsible for administering electrophysiological and eye tracking lab protocols, and perform standardized diagnostic and developmental assessments. Furthermore, the CRS will oversee data management, as well as contribute to running the day-to-day operations for research protocols under the direction of the Principal Investigator and the Program Manager.

Eligible candidates have the following qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree in psychology, cognitive science, neuroscience, or related field, as well as a 2-year commitment to the position
• At least two years of paid professional experience working in a research setting with human subjects
• Experience working with infants or children in a research setting, preferably using behavioral or neuroimaging measures such as eye tracking, EEG, or ERP
• Previous experience working with children with an autism spectrum disorder
• Ability to assist with grant preparation, publications, presentations and/or applications to an Institutional Review Board
• Experience with administering and scoring standardized measures of autism symptoms (e.g., the ADOS, MSEL)
• High level of motivation; ability to work independently and as part of a team; excellent communication, organization, and attention to detail
• Availability for flexible scheduling including evenings and weekends

To apply, please complete the online lab application form and upload a CV and letter of interest.

Contact Alissa Westerlund with any questions

The Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience (LCN) is seeking a postdoctoral fellow to assist with the BEAN project (Bangladesh Early Adversity Neuroimaging project) under the direction of Dr. Charles A. Nelson, PhD. BEAN is supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and represents a longitudinal research project examining the effects of early adverse life experiences (e.g., malnutrition, enteric inflammation, family environment) on neurodevelopment of children in a low-income community of Dhaka, Bangladesh. The project is a collaboration with William Petri, MD, Ph.D. (University of Virginia) and the International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B).

The project uses neuroimaging tools including EEG, MRI and fNIRS, along with eye-tracking and the Mullen Scales of Early Learning/executive function tasks. The study recruited an original 6-month cohort at 2-years of age, and a 3-year cohort at 5-years of age all residing within the same geographic region in Mirpur, Dhaka. Data is collected entirely by trained staff from our collaborating institute in Bangladesh at the clinic in Mirpur. All data are transferred to the LCN for all processing and analysis. The cohorts of children for the neuroimaging portion of the project were recruited from long-standing longitudinal clinical studies in Dhaka, which have been following the children since birth with surveillance and additional clinic visits. Thus, this project has access to a rich dataset of biological and environmental risk factors along with assessments of psychosocial adversity administered by the neuroimaging project. Additional middle-class control cohorts have also been recruited from neighboring areas to serve as comparison groups; recruitment of a sample of children growing up in affluent homes is currently planned.

The fellow will be based at the Labs of Cognitive Neuroscience in Boston, MA. The local Nelson lab has great expertise in all the modalities employed in our international project and consists of numerous locally running neuroimaging studies. Thus, the fellow will have ample opportunities for mentorship and training as part of the BEAN team and Nelson lab in general.

Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree in developmental psychology, neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience, psychology, although individuals with a background in electrical or biomedical engineering or computer science will also be considered
• Preferred applicants will have experience with EEG/ERP, fNIRS, and/or advanced signal processing routines
• Experience conducting research with infants and/or children is strongly preferred
• Interest in early adversity is strongly preferred
• A strong motivation to publish is preferred

A start date of Spring 2018 is preferred, but flexible. A 2-year commitment is preferred. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

For consideration, please submit a letter of interest and curriculum vita to Dr. Charles Nelson

ABOUT THE JACOBS FOUNDATION RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

The Jacobs Foundation is one of the world’s leading charitable foundations dedicated to improving the living conditions of children and youth. The Foundation was established in 1989 by Klaus J. Jacobs and his family in an effort to benefit future generations by providing young people with better opportunities for development, so that they can become productive and socially responsible members of society. As a research informed organization, we base funding decisions on solid evidence and enable systemic change through comprehensive approaches.

The Jacobs Foundation is pleased to announce the 2018 call for applications for its Research Fellowship Program.

The Jacobs Foundation Research Fellowship Program is an internationally open, competitive fellowship program for early and mid-career researchers focusing on learning and development of children and youth.

Fellowships are awarded to the most highly talented and innovative early- and mid-career researchers working on child and youth development. Funds are awarded directly to the fellow’s institution and may be used over a three-year period to partially cover the fellow’s salary and for any activity supporting the fellow’s research, such as assistant salaries, equipment, technical assistance, professional travel, or trainee support.

Scholars who engage in interdisciplinary work on individual development and learning of children and youth, and who seek to combine genetic, epigenetic, neurobiological, behavioral and social levels of analysis, are particularly encouraged to apply.

For further information and to submit an online application, please visit the Jacobs Foundation Research Fellowship.

The Pennsylvania State University’s Child Study Center, in collaboration with the Quantitative Developmental Systems Group invites applications for a postdoctoral research scholar position focused on the development of self-regulation in early childhood and the application of innovative analytic methods for intensive longitudinal data (second-by-second observational and physiological data).

Successful applicants will work within an interdisciplinary team of investigators (Pamela Cole, Nilam Ram, Kristin Buss, Ginger Moore, Cindy Stifter, Lisa Kopp, Sy-Miin Chow, Peter Molenaar, and Mike Rovine) from the Departments of Psychology (College of the Liberal Arts) and Human Development and Family Studies (College of Health and Human Development; HHD). The team is developing innovative analysis tools for application to study of self-regulation and its development in toddlers and preschool age children.  Primary responsibilities include contributing to new data collection; conducting data analyses; interfacing with investigators and potential collaborators in interdisciplinary research groups; and preparing grant proposals, conference presentations, and scientific publications.  PSU’s Colleges of the Liberal Arts and HHD, and the Departments of Psychology and Human Development and Family Studies, are well-established and highly regarded research units comprised of faculty, research associates, postdoctoral fellows, graduate and undergraduate students.  This postdoctoral position is supported by a federal grant from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, with the aim of developing conceptual and methodological tools that can help to unify the study of self-regulation and its development. The successful applicant will have contact with the exceptional resources of Penn State, including administrative and software support staff, hardware and software, and some travel funding. The position is for one year, with a negotiable start date and excellent possibility of re-funding for at least one additional year. Qualified individuals will have a Ph.D. in developmental and/or child clinical psychology, with strong interests and experience in studying toddlers and preschool age children and parent-child interaction. Demonstrated productivity in terms of published journal articles and scientific conference presentations is required. Preference will be given to candidates who are interested in developing a research program in the area of early childhood development, particularly in terms of self-regulation and emotion regulation. Excellent written and oral English communication skills are required. Background in any of the following areas will be considered a plus: child and/or adult development, emotion and self-regulation, and observational and experimental design.

Interested applicants should upload a letter of application indicating research interests, career goals, and experience; and a curriculum vita. Additionally, please arrange to have three letters of professional reference sent to:  Pamela M. Cole, PhD and Nilam Ram, PhD, at pmc5@psu.edu and nur5@psu.edu.  Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the positions are filled. For more information, contact Dr. Cole or Dr. Ram.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS: For more about safety at Penn State, and to review the Annual Security Report which contains information about crime statistics and other safety and security matters, please go to http://www.police.psu.edu/clery/, which will also provide you with detail on how to request a hard copy of the Annual Security Report.

Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Apply here: https://psu.jobs/job/76317

Posted 1-11-2018 until filled

The Department of Psychology at Harvard University is currently accepting applications for teaching positions in Cambridge, MA for the 2018-2019 academic year:

Harvard College Fellows (Full-Time)

We invite applications from new or recent PhDs with a strong interest in teaching for the Harvard College Fellows Program. College Fellow positions consist of approximately 75% teaching, including training in course development and pedagogy, and 25% research under the supervision of a faculty member in the Department. Applications for this program are due by February 19, 2018. Late applications will not be accepted unless positions remain open after an initial round. For more information and application instructions please visit: https://facultyresources.fas.harvard.edu/social-sciences.

Lecturers (Part-Time)

We invite applications for part-time lecturer positions for the upcoming academic year. We are particularly interested in candidates who could teach empirically-based advanced undergraduate courses in social psychology, abnormal psychology/clinical science, developmental psychology, and cognitive psychology/neuroscience. We are also searching for candidates who could teach a human neuroanatomy course. Applications received by March 5, 2018 will be guaranteed full consideration. For more information and application instructions please visit: http://academicpositions.harvard.edu/postings/8058

Please contact Katie Powers (kpowers@fas.harvard.edu) with any questions.

Harvard University is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Applications from women and minorities are strongly encouraged.

We seek a full-time research study coordinator to manage a very active research program at the Project on Child Development (http://www.childdevelopment.northwestern.edu/). Our research examines early language and conceptual development in infants from 3 months to 3 years, and this position involves a healthy mix of research and administrative duties. The coordinator will work in close collaboration with a dynamic, interactive lab team that includes Professor Waxman, students (both undergraduate and PhD level), and postdocs in the lab.

The research coordinator will be responsible for conducting and helping to oversee experimental procedures, coding behavioral data, managing data files, and conducting analyses. The coordinator will be responsible for interacting with families and infants who visit the lab, conducting informed consent and debriefing procedures, and maintaining the laboratory’s established human subject procedures.

Basic Qualifications: Candidates must have a background in cognitive psychology, developmental psychology and/or linguistics (with a specific interest in development), confidence with technology, confidence with writing, and experience with infants or toddlers. Also required are excellent organizational abilities, excellent social skills, and a friendly, team-leading personality.

Additional Qualifications: At least one year of experience (beyond the undergraduate years) in a research setting. In addition, an ability to interact with infants and their parents, and familiarity with programming software (e.g., MATLAB, R) and experience with eye tracking and/or EEG are all very relevant skills, but most can be learned on the job. Strong writing skills are important, as the coordinator collaborates on publications and grant reports. Attention to detail and an ability to multi-task are also essential.

Additional Information: This is a one-year, grant-funded position with the possibility of renewal. The university offers excellent benefits and a dynamic working environment. To apply, please submit your cover letter, CV, and a list of 2-3 professional references (with email addresses and phone numbers) to j-woodring@northwestern.edu. We will begin reviewing applications immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Northwestern is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes including veterans and individuals with disabilities.  Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Hiring is contingent on eligibility to work in the United States.

NIH-FUNDED POSTDOCTORAL POSITION IN DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROSCIENCE

Professor Sandra Waxman (www.childdevelopment.northwestern.edu) is looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow in Developmental Neuroscience.  In our lab, we take advantage of both behavioral and neuroimaging methods to trace infants’ acquisition of language, cognition and the links between them in the first six months of life and to identify how this language-cognition link is shaped by maturation and experience (overview here).

The ideal candidate should have completed a PhD in developmental neuroscience or a related field, with expertise in infant EEG (ERP, neural oscillations) and with a focus on language and/or cognition. Preference will be given to candidates with a strong scientific productivity, as well as expertise in experimental design and programming (e.g., MATLAB/Python).  We especially encourage candidates from populations underrepresented in STEM to apply.

The successful applicant will join us in an active collaborative network, including faculty from Psychology (http://www.psychology.northwestern.edu), Neuroscience (http://www.nuin.northwestern.edu), and Northwestern’s recently established Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences (http://devsci.northwestern.edu). Responsibilities include designing/running experiments, analyzing and processing data, and disseminating research findings.  In addition to contributing to our current investigations examining the neural signatures underlying infant language and cognition, there will also be ample opportunity to develop independent research projects, to collaborate on other existing projects, and to mentor PhD students.  Significant attention will be placed on career development (e.g., conference participation, grant writing, presentations/job-talks). This is an ideal position for individuals interested in preparing for a tenure track position.

For questions or to submit an application, please contact Jennie Woodring (j-woodring@northwestern.edu).  Applicants should send a CV, a letter describing their interests and prior experience, and 2 or 3 publications that best reflect their scientific direction and contributions. Salary is based on the NICHD postdoctoral scale; funding is available for up to two years (appointments are for one year, but renewable for two years, based on progress/merit).  The start date is flexible. Applications will be reviewed beginning on Jan 3, 2018.

Northwestern is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes including veterans and individuals with disabilities.  Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Hiring is contingent on eligibility to work in the United States.

The Speech perception group of the Laboratoire de Psychologie de la Perception is seeking to fill a 2-year post-doctoral position starting at the earliest in April 2018 to work with Dr Laurianne Cabrera (https://sites.google.com/site/lauriannecabrera/) on auditory development and speech-in-noise perception in children with normal hearing and children with hearing loss. Applications including a cover letter, curriculum vitae and the names of two referees should be sent by December 1st 2017 to Dr Laurianne Cabrera at laurianne.cabrera@gmail.com

Summary:
This project is funded by the National Research Agency (ANR) and aims to characterize the role of sensory and non-sensory auditory processes involved in the development of speech perception in noise. Using a combination of psycholinguistic and psychophysical paradigms, this project will investigate the dominant factors limiting speech understanding in noise between 6 and 11 years of age.

Responsibilities:
– Experimental design of the auditory stimuli and of the psychophysical behavioral tasks suitable for children.
– Recruitment of young children with normal-hearing (via schools) and with hearing impairment (via the Hospital, collaboration with ORL service APHP Robert DebrŽ).
– Data collection and analysis.
– Writing up abstracts for international conferences and papers for international peer-reviewed journals.

Qualifications:
– PhD degree in psychology, hearing and speech sciences, cognitive sciences or equivalent
– Use of French language fluently (to contact French schools and test young French children)
– Highly motivated to work on an interdisciplinary project (psychoacoustics, psycholinguistics) and collaborate with the various members of the consortium (in Parisian labs, hospitals, schools, but also in the UK and the US).
– Experience with children and with Matlab (sound processing, experimental design) will be highly appreciated

The speech perception group:
Our group explores the acquisition of various linguistic levels (from auditory to morpho-syntax), from birth to adulthood. We use behavioral (head-turn procedure, eye-tracking, psychophysical tasks) and imaging (ERPs, NIRS) techniques, at the Saint-Pres babylab (http://recherche.parisdescartes.fr/LBB) or in hospitals. We aim to identify the interactions between endogenous constraints of cortical development and environmental input, the mechanisms involved in language acquisition, and how early processing abilities are linked to later linguistic achievements. Our group holds weekly scientific meetings and participates to weekly research seminars on various topics of cognitive sciences within the Laboratoire de Psychologie de la Perception (http://lpp.parisdescartes.cnrs.fr/home). We are also part of the GDR-development and LABEX EFL (http://www.labex-efl.com) offering several opportunities for meetings, seminars and collaborations.

Terms of salary and employment:
A 12-month contract will be first established and be renewable up to one year. Salary will depend on diploma and experience (between 2300-2900Û gross/month).