We are seeking a full-time postdoctoral fellowship with tasks comprised of research activities related to a funded NIMH R01 treatment grant (PI: Andrada D. Neacsiu, PhD). This is a 2-year appointment, with the second-year contingent on renewal and with the possibility of extension to a third year. This postdoctoral fellow will be housed in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University.
The project titled “Neurostimulation Enhanced Cognitive Restructuring for Transdiagnostic Emotional Dysregulation: A component analysis” aims to examine optimal parameters needed to develop novel interventions for clinical emotional dysregulation using neuroimaging, neurostimulation and behavioral therapy. This project brings together a multidisciplinary team that includes clinical psychology, neuroscience, neurology, cognitive psychology, and statistics to tackle questions about the neural bases of transdiagnostic clinical emotional dysregulation.
The study will be integrated within the Brain Stimulation Research Center (directed by Dr. Neacsiu) as well as within the Center for Cognitive Neuroscience (led by Dr. LaBar), leading to opportunities to be exposed and involved in the research conducted at these centers. In addition, opportunities to be involved in research conducted through the Center for Misophonia and Emotion Regulation (led by Dr. Rosenthal) will also be available.
The position is 100% research; however, it will involve the administration of structural clinical interviews and simple behavioral interventions under the supervision of Dr. Neacsiu, who is a licensed clinical psychologist. Additional opportunities for the provision of clinical services to psychiatric populations can also be explored. Furthermore, the postdoctoral fellow will learn how to operate neurostimulation equipment and administer neurostimulation interventions, and will be involved in grant writing, and paper publications.
The postdoctoral fellow will work under the supervision of Andrada D. Neacsiu, PhD and will serve as Project Manager for this NIMH project, in close collaboration with Drs. Neacsiu and LaBar. The fellow’s specific responsibilities will be:
- To interface with the Regulatory Coordinator in recruiting and screening participants
- To conduct structured assessments for the study that include diagnostic interviews, examinations of contraindications for neuroimaging and neurostimulation, and personalization of stimuli to be used during the experimental procedures (under the supervision of Dr. Neacsiu)
- To interface with the Brain Imaging and Analysis Center to collect neuroimaging data
- To supervise the study coordinator and the regulatory coordinator on clinical activities and a small group of undergraduate students in data entry, management, and cleaning
- To interface with the Brain Stimulation Research Center to administer neurostimulation to participants and collect psychophysiological data
- To interface with the study statistician in order to clean, manage, and analyze study data
- To be actively involved in grant writing and publications at the intersection of neuroimaging, neurostimulation, and emotion regulation treatment development
- To present results at national conferences
EXPECTATION:
The successful candidate will have a Ph.D. degree in psychology or neuroscience from an APA accredited program or equivalent clinical degree (e.g., PsyD, MD), with a strong background in clinical or experimental psychology. Candidates with non-US degrees may be required to provide proof of degree equivalency.
A candidate may also be appointed to a postdoctoral position if the candidate has completed all of the requirements for a degree but the degree has not been formally conferred: in this case, the candidate may present evidence of completion of the degree requirements, together with a statement documenting the date on which the degree is to be conferred. If the degree is not conferred by this projected date, the postdoctoral appointment may be terminated.
Work in our lab involves structured clinical assessments, psychophysiological data collection, reduction, extraction and analysis, neuroimaging, neurostimulation, and statistical methods aimed to examine longitudinal data sets. Expertise in some of these areas would strengthen the candidate’s application. The ideal candidate will be creative, motivated, have the ability to work independently, and have a strong interest in a scientific career after post doc.
SKILLS
- Experience with IRB applications, managing databases, and statistical analysis software is required
- Applicants must demonstrate excellent communication and leadership skills
- Preference will be given for candidates with existing neuroimaging or neurostimulation experience
- Experience with clinical interviews and mental health assessments is a plus
Duke University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual’s age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values. This job will involve on site activities with participants, but part of the work can be conducted off site (remotely).
HOW TO APPLY
To apply, please submit a cover letter describing your interest in this position and relevant experience, a CV or NIH-formatted biosketch, an example of a first author publication that the candidate led, and a list of 3 professional references with email and phone contact information. Letters of recommendation are welcome (from the references above or others), but not required immediately to apply. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled and will be evaluated on a rolling basis. Salary and benefits are competitive.
