Post-Doctoral Associate

About the Job

The Center for Developmental Neuroimaging (CDNI) is seeking a postdoctoral fellow to join our team at the University of Minnesota’s Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain (MIDB) under the direction of Dr. Damien Fair. This position will focus on precision imaging projects.

CDNI is housed at the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain at the University of Minnesota. Our work focuses on advancing the understanding of brain development in health and disease. We are an interdisciplinary team of researchers trying to:

• Understand basic principles of brain functioning across development (i.e. figure out how the brain works)
• Learn about how neuropsychiatric and other brain-based disorders develop and progress over time
• Contribute to the prevention and treatment of brain-based disorders
• Engage underrepresented communities in all aspects of academic medicine and research

To learn more about CDNI and current research studies, please visit the website: https://innovation.umn.edu/developmental-cognition-and-neuroimaging-lab/

The scholar will be able to draw on world-class neuroimaging facilities and training at the Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (CMRR), including ultra- high resolution 7T imaging. Our group is strongly committed to professional development and personalizing the postdoc experience. We encourage applications from diverse candidates and are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive research environment.

Job Responsibilities

Data Analysis and Publication (50%)

• Test hypothesis around developmental plasticity metrics derived from functional MRI data.
• Investigate developmental differences in brain functional networks
• Support generation and testing of improvements for code bases for the analysis of precision imaging datasets using supercomputing cluster resources.
• Support students and trainees involved in data processing and analysis.
• Present novel discoveries at international conferences.
• Publish research findings in peer reviewed journals.
• Pursue your own research interests within the broader theme of the position.

Data Acquisition Methods and Practice (40%)

• Support staff involved in neuroimaging projects.
• Supervise students involved in neuroimaging projects.
• Support the PI with analysis of data from different data acquisition techniques to inform best practices for fMRI data acquisition.
• Support implementation of novel motor task paradigm for neuroimaging.
• Lead documentation efforts for neuroimaging techniques to promote standardization across study members.

Other Lab Duties (10%)

• Attend mandatory center, lab and team meetings.
• Share feedback and assist other lab members when they are stuck on a project.
• Collegial conduct towards trainees, staff members and members of the research group.
• Adherence to all applicable University policies, procedures and regulations. All data, research records and materials and other intellectual property generated in University laboratories remain the property of the University.
• Collaborate with a diverse team of researchers, including the PI, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and other trainees.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• PhD or MD in neuroscience, psychology, cognitive science, or a related field.
• Strong experience in neuroimaging data acquisition, analysis, and interpretation.
• Proven ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent communication, writing, and presentation skills.
• Prior experience working with research participants in a lab setting

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in analysis of brain imaging data.
• Experience in the acquisition of neuroimaging data.
• Enthusiasm for exploring new research directions in collaboration with the PI.