We are hiring a postdoc to work on translational neuroscience projects on healthy eating and cigarette smoking cessation! We especially seek a person with good imaging and analysis chops who is interested to learn more about health psychology, intervention science, and translational neuroscience. The lab has good professional development opportunities including formal grant writing training, structured team mentorship, and availability of pilot funds to foster independent research. We particularly welcome applications from scholars who are from populations historically underrepresented in the academy. The full position description is below.
The Center for Translational Neuroscience is seeking a postdoctoral research associate to work with the Social and Affective Neuroscience (SAN) Lab headed by Dr. Elliot Berkman, on two NCI-funded clinical trials of theory-based interventions to promote healthy eating and smoking cessation. Work in the SAN lab is guided by a translational neuroscience approach to understanding the psychological and neural pathways through which interventions increase motivation, build habits, and support health behavior change. Both interventions are gathering neural, behavioral, and psychosocial data from N > 200 community participants who intend to change a specific health-related behavior (diet; smoking). We collect multimodal data including neuroimaging before and after an intervention period during which specific processes are targeted for change including high-level construal, motivation, and emotion regulation. Resulting data will be analyzed using advanced statistical modeling techniques including growth modeling and machine learning to evaluate the degree to which the interventions were effective, the pathways by which they operate, and for whom they are most effective. This position is ideal for candidates interested in translational neuroscience approaches to motivation and health behavior change. Given the current progress on the projects, we are looking for a highly conscientious and motivated individual with excellent writing, analysis, and coding abilities with the following interests and skills.
For the purpose of acquiring additional professional skills needed to pursue a career path in the chosen field, this position will have a formal mentor plan.
To apply for this position, please submit a CV, along with a cover letter and three professional references, to: https://careers.uoregon.
Minimum Requirements
- PhD in related discipline by start of position, including Psychology, Neuroscience, Data Science, Education, Human Development, or related.
- Experience in the field of research.
- Evidence of scholarship.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience working with young children, adolescents, and families and/or previous experience working in community-based organizations.
- Topical expertise in early adversity and preventive intervention including fast cycle learning.
- Strong record of publications (including first-author manuscripts) in peer-reviewed journals.
- Experience in the planning, implementation, and tracking of a research project comprising multiple assessments.
- Experience with neuroimaging.
Professional Competencies
- Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills, including the ability to function effectively as a team member and team leader as well as the ability to interpret and present information to a variety of audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment, requiring participatory decision-making and cooperative interactions among employees.
- Interest in supporting community-based research, including adapting research protocols for use in community settings and with diverse populations involving working closely to co-create intervention and evaluation protocol with community partners.
- Interest in fast cycle and shared learning with a large and diverse research and development community.
- Strong computer, statistical, and technical skills (SPSS, Qualtrics, Matlab, Python, R, SPM, FSL, AFNI, or similar platforms).
