Postdoc position in Lab for Child Brain Development

The Laboratory for Child Brain Development, in the Department of Psychiatry, is seeking a full-time postdoctoral fellow for the Emotional Growth Study (EmoGrow), designed to assess the longitudinal trajectory of childhood irritability using multi-modal neuroimaging (PI: Susan Perlman). The project is funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (R01 MH107540). The EmoGrow Study will employ intensive, state-of-the-art, multi-modal, neurodevelopmental measurement in a sample of 150 4 year-old children and their parent, including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), eye tracking, facial expression and behavioral coding, sleep actigraphy, hair cortisol, and interpersonal neural synchronization between parent and child.

The postdoctoral fellow will be an integral member of this scientific team and will have rich opportunities to publish throughout the study, drawing both on data from the Laboratory for Child Brain Development and multiple neurodevelopmental studies from across the laboratories of the investigative team. 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 and implement cutting-edge fMRI and fNIRS analysis tools in collaboration with Co-Investigator Dr. Ted Huppert and will be primarily responsible for dissemination of findings (e.g. publications and conference proceedings). The translational investigative team also includes experts in developmental psychopathology, epidemiology, and longitudinal modeling (Laurie Wakschlag & Stephanie Stepp) and developmental cognitive neuroscience (Bea Luna). 

The University of Pittsburgh, Department of Psychiatry, provides an ideal training environment for postdoctoral fellows (http://www.psychiatry.pitt.edu/node/8211 ), including the Career and Research Development Seminar which is designed to promote the professional, career development, and grantsmanship skills necessary to launch an independent career through the NIH K Award mechanism. Pittsburgh and the local surrounding areas offer an affordable and family-friendly community with rich university resources. 

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

The postdoctoral fellowship will begin as soon as possible and may extend 4 or more years. 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 perlmansb2@upmc.edu.