"Open Rank, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Professor"

Job Details

Department: Neurosurgery

Job Title: Open Rank, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Professor

Position #: 00840860 – Requisition #: 38059

Job Summary:

The Department of Neurosurgery invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant, Associate Professor or Full Professor. We seek outstanding scientists whose research centers on human cognition using invasive and/or non-invasive neuromodulation (e.g., DBS, SEEG/ECoG, TMS/tDCS, FUS) and electrophysiology (e.g., intracranial, EEG/MEG) or neuroimaging, with strong quantitative/computational approaches.

Focus Areas (cognitive, human neuromodulation, psychiatric and neurological neuromodulation)

We are especially interested in candidates whose work advances mechanistic understanding and treatment of cognitive dysfunction. Example domains include:

• Executive control (cognitive control, conflict monitoring, inhibitory control, task switching, working memory)
• Learning & decision-making (reinforcement learning, valuation, risk/loss aversion, habit/goal-directed control, credit assignment)
• Attention & arousal (vigilance, selective/sustained attention, cognitive fatigue, mind-wandering)
• Memory systems (episodic/semantic, encoding–retrieval dynamics, consolidation, sleep–memory interactions)
• Language & higher cognition (speech/language, social cognition, metacognition)
• Affective–cognitive interactions (motivation, apathy, reward sensitivity, affective bias)

Translational goals that align with campus strengths is welcome, e.g., Parkinson's disease and movement disorders (DBS), epilepsy (SEEG/ECoG mapping), OCD/depression (DBS/TMS), Tourette/dystonia, TBI/stroke, MCI/Alzheimer's, addiction, and anxiety/PTSD, with emphasis on cognitive endpoints, biomarkers, and closed-loop strategies.

Ideal candidates have an interest in investigating the neural mechanisms of cognitive, affective, or decision processes in humans through carefully designed behavioral tasks, rigorous signal processing, and computational modeling. We especially encourage applicants whose work complements and extend our strengths in neurosurgery, neurology, psychiatry, biomedical engineering, and imaging, and who will engage in collaborative team science across the Anschutz Medical Campus. Successful applicants are expected to lead a vigorous, externally funded research program and to participate in professional and graduate teaching.

Work Location:

Onsite – this role is expected to work onsite and is located in Aurora, CO.

Why Join Us:

Ideal candidates have an interest in investigating the neural mechanisms of cognitive, affective, or decision processes in humans through carefully designed behavioral tasks, rigorous signal processing, and computational modeling. We especially encourage applicants whose work complements and extend our strengths in neurosurgery, neurology, psychiatry, biomedical engineering, and imaging, and who will engage in collaborative team science across the Anschutz Medical Campus. Successful applicants are expected to lead a vigorous, externally funded research program and to participate in professional and graduate teaching.

Appointees will join a vibrant and growing Department under the new leadership of Dr. Peter Fecci – hired as Chair in January 2025 – and Research Vice Chair Dr. Cristin Welle. Neuromodulation will be a primary pillar of the department. The department currently features several cutting edge projects within neuromodulation including restorative applications of vagal nerve stimulation, brain computer interface investigations into repairing human cognitive or sensory-motor functions, adaptive deep brain stimulation in movement disorders, exploring cognitive behavioral functions in the context of the epilepsy monitoring unit with both single neuron and local field potentials, exploration of cognitive function using Neuropixels in human and psychiatric deep brain stimulation. Extra-departmental interactions span clinical and basic departments/programs including Physiology and Biophysics, Neurology, Psychiatry, Bioengineering, and Computational Biosciences.

Why work for the University?

We have AMAZING benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday, vacation and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options
• Dental: Multiple plan options
• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision
• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay
• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year
• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)
• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)
• Holiday Days: 10/year
• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses
• ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service

There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

This is an open rank position and could be categorized as Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Full Professor based on experience and qualifications as indicated below:

Assistant Professor:

• Ph.D. degree with specialty in Computational Neuroscience/Physiology/Biophysics, Cognitive Neuroscience, Human Neuromodulation or closely related field
• Preferred three years of post-doctoral research experience
• A strong record of peer-reviewed academic publications
• A well-developed plan for independent research and funding

Associate Professor:

• Ph.D. degree with specialty in Computational Neuroscience/Physiology/Biophysics, Cognitive Neuroscience, Human Neuromodulation or closely related field
• Five years at Assistant Professor or equivalent research scientist rank
• A strong record of peer-reviewed academic publications
• A well-developed plan for continued independent research and funding

Full Professor:

• Ph.D. degree with specialty in Computational Neuroscience/Physiology/Biophysics, Cognitive Neuroscience, Human Neuromodulation or closely related field
• Five years at Associate Professor or equivalent research scientist rank
• A strong record of peer-reviewed academic publications
• A well-developed plan for continued independent research and funding

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):

1. A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to the listed qualifications and your interest in the position
2. Curriculum vitae / Resume
3. Research statement (2–3 pages) outlining past accomplishments, current work, and future plans, including funding strategies
4. Five professional references, including name, address, phone number (mobile if appropriate), and email address

Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at www.cu.edu/cu-careers.

Questions should be directed to: Liz Seelenfreund

Screening of Applications Begins:

This position may be seeking multiple candidates. Positions will remain open until filled. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and candidates may be contacted for interviews throughout the posting period. Upon candidate(s) selection, the posting will be closed, and no further applications will be accepted.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range ( or hiring range ) for this position has been established as HIRING RANGE:

Assistant Professor: $105,000- $130,000

Associate Professor: $125,000- $150,000

Professor: $145,000- $180,000

The above salary range ( or hiring range ) represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position is not eligible for overtime compensation unless it is non-exempt.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125