Description:
Possesses, understands, and applies a comprehensive knowledge in
area of specialization. Develops understanding and skills to allow
for completion of assignments that cross fields of specialization.
Develops leadership and management skills.
1. Receives/Reviews progress and evaluates results of experiments
or projects under control or supervisory responsibility.
2. Recommends changes in research, testing or experimental
procedures.
3. May be responsible for a single highly technical and complex
piece of research equipment.
4. May review and evaluate the effectiveness of personnel.
5. May plan for and assign personnel to projects under
control.
6. Operates with latitude for unreviewed action.
7. May receive general supervision conferring with higher levels
only in unusual situations.
8. Performs other job-related duties as required.
MQ: Requires singular knowledge of a specialized advanced
professional discipline or the highest level of general business
knowledge, normally acquired through attainment of a directly
job-related terminal degree or equivalent formal training in a
recognized field of specialization that is directly related to the
type of work being performed. No experience is required.
Position is grant funded.
The Laboratory of Early Experience and Development (LEED), directed
by Dr. Johanna Bick at the University of Houston, invites
applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join a newly
funded NICHD R01 examining whether a scalable parenting
intervention can improve early brain development and socioemotional
functioning in infants born preterm.
This longitudinal randomized controlled trial (RCT) integrates
infant MRI, EEG, autonomic physiology, and behavioral assessments
across the first two years of life to investigate how supportive
caregiving influences the developing neural systems that underlie
social development, emotion regulation, and mental health following
preterm birth. The study combines a rigorous intervention trial
with cutting-edge multimodal neuroimaging, providing a unique
opportunity to identify neurodevelopmental mechanisms through which
early experiences promote resilience.
This position provides an outstanding opportunity to contribute to
a large, longitudinal, multimodal neuroimaging study while
developing an independent research program in developmental
cognitive neuroscience. The fellow will join a highly collaborative
team of developmental psychologists, neuroscientists,
pediatricians, neonatologists, and imaging scientists and will have
access to state-of-the-art infant neuroimaging resources through
the University of Houston and collaborating institutions.
Position Responsibilities:
The postdoctoral fellow will play a central role in the scientific
leadership of the project. Responsibilities include:
• Help oversee day-to-day implementation of a longitudinal NICHD
R01 randomized controlled trial.
• Manage and coordinate infant MRI, EEG, physiological, and
behavioral data collection.
• Process and analyze infant MRI (structural, diffusion, and
resting-state fMRI) and EEG data.
• Develop reproducible analysis pipelines using modern neuroimaging
software.
• Lead and contribute to first-author and collaborative
manuscripts.
• Present findings at national and international scientific
meetings.
• Mentor graduate students, research assistants, and undergraduate
trainees.
• Contribute to grant development, fellowship applications, and
future NIH proposals.
• Participate in an active, interdisciplinary research environment
focused on early brain development, intervention science, and
developmental psychopathology.
The laboratory places a strong emphasis on fostering scientific
independence through publication, conference presentations, grant
writing, and career development.
Required qualifications include:
• Ph.D. in Psychology, Neuroscience, Cognitive Science, Biomedical
Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Experience with neuroimaging data analysis (MRI, EEG, or related
modalities).
• Programming skills (Python, R, MATLAB, Bash, or similar).
• Strong quantitative skills (e.g., longitudinal data analysis,
mixed-effects modeling, or machine learning).
• Excellent scientific writing and communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a
multidisciplinary research team.
Preferred qualifications include experience with one or more of the
following:
• Linux computing environments.
• Infant or pediatric neuroimaging.
• Structural MRI, diffusion MRI, and/or resting-state fMRI
analysis.
• Infant EEG data collection, preprocessing, and analysis (EEGLAB,
ERPLAB, FieldTrip).
• MRI processing software including FSL, FreeSurfer, MRtrix, AFNI,
Connectome Workbench, or related packages.
• Docker, Git, high-performance computing, or cloud-based
workflows.
• Longitudinal data analysis, mixed-effects modeling, or machine
learning.
• Experience mentoring students or coordinating research
projects.
Candidates with backgrounds in developmental neuroscience,
developmental psychopathology, infant brain development,
neuroimaging methods, intervention research, or computational
neuroscience are especially encouraged to apply.
The LEED Lab studies how early experiences shape brain development
and mental health across infancy and early childhood using
multimodal neuroimaging, psychophysiology, behavioral observation,
intervention research, and longitudinal developmental methods.
Current projects include:
• Infant structural, diffusion, and functional MRI.
• EEG and neural markers of emotion regulation.
• Autonomic nervous system development.
• Prematurity and early brain development.
• Caregiving, adversity, and resilience.
• Early predictors of developmental and mental health
outcomes.
The postdoctoral fellow will have opportunities to collaborate
broadly across developmental neuroscience, psychology, pediatrics,
neonatology, psychiatry, and biomedical engineering.
Appointment
The initial appointment is for one year, with renewal for
additional years contingent upon satisfactory performance and
continued funding. Competitive salary and benefits will follow NIH
postdoctoral guidelines and University of Houston policies.
Applicants should submit:
• Curriculum vitae.
• Cover letter describing research interests and career
goals.
• One- to two-page statement summarizing previous research
experience and how it relates to the position.
• Contact information for three professional references.
Applications will be reviewed beginning immediately and will
continue until the position is filled. The anticipated start date
is Fall 2026, although a flexible start date is possible.
All positions at the University of Houston-System are security sensitive and will require a criminal history check.
The University of Houston System and its universities are Equal Opportunity Institutions. Everyone is encouraged to apply.
