Postdoc: Women’s Neural Adaptation to Motherhood

The Department of Psychological Sciences at the University of Missouri invites applications for a full-time postdoctoral research scholar position in Dr. Ashley Groh’s Family & Child Development Laboratory. 

Dr. Groh is seeking an excellent candidate for a postdoctoral position supported by the MU Research Excellence Program. Dr. Groh is currently conducting NIH- and NSF-funded longitudinal projects that examine women’s neural adaptation to motherhood as a function of psychological risk in relation to mother and child outcomes in diverse families. In addition, there are existing large longitudinal data sets including samples of mothers, fathers, and infants that continue to be analyzed and published. Dr. Groh’s lab also regularly conducts meta-analyses to evaluate developmental questions in light of extant data. Thus, the position allows for outstanding productivity and a great start of a research career.
Dr. Groh’s research leverages observational assessments of family processes (e.g., attachment, parenting), interview measures of representations of early experiences (e.g., AAI, ASA), and measures of peripheral physiological (e.g., EDR, RSA, HR, PEP) and brain (EEG, ERP) activity examined over time. Thus, key skills include familiarity with data management of very large multi-method data sets and excellent data-analytic skills, especially those relevant to complex, large longitudinal studies. Expertise in at least one of the methods detailed above (e.g., attachment assessment or psychophysiology) is required. Training in other methods will be provided. Expertise in up-to-date approaches to multi-level data analysis and structural equation modeling, as well as familiarity with relevant computer packages (SPSS, R, etc.) is required. Strong writing skills are important as well. Candidates with strong academic backgrounds in developmental psychology, developmental psychopathology, human development and family studies, and/or neuroscience are encouraged to apply.

Dr. Groh and her lab are committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusivity. Current projects in the lab include a focus on enhancing diversity in the study of the neuroscience of parent-child relationships, including a focus on mothers and fathers, as well as families from diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Individuals with an interest in this work are encouraged to apply.

The postdoctoral position is supported by the MU Research Excellence Program (MU Research Excellence Program (REP) | University of Missouri Graduate School). EP postdocs are provided with a competitive salary (consistent with the NIH schedule) and professional development funds. REP postdocs are expected to apply for external funding, and receive support in grant writing and personalized guidance in finding funding. REP provides postdoctoral scholars with unique opportunities to prepare for a faculty career.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, but applications received by January 5, 2024 will receive the best consideration. Expected start date is June 1, 2024, but may be negotiated (start date cannot be later than September 4, 2024). Candidates who have completed all the requirements for their Ph.D., but the degree has not yet been conferred, will be considered.

Minimum Qualifications

Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology, Human Development & Family Studies, Neuroscience, or related field. Ph.D. must be completed prior to start date.

Candidates Will Be Evaluated On:

Substantive expertise in parent-child relationships and socioemotional development.Research skills in one or more of the following areas: observational assessments of parenting/parent-child relationships, interview assessments of attachment, and psychophysiology (EEG/ERP, autonomic physiology).Strong longitudinal quantitative skills, including MLM, SEM, moderation, mediation, etc. Familiarity with relevant statistical packages (e.g., SPSS, R, etc.). Excellent writing skills.

Application Materials

Interested individuals should submit: (1) a letter of interest that describes research accomplishments, skills, and future research plans, (2) curriculum vitae, and (3) names and contact information of 2-3 individuals who will provide letters of recommendation if asked. 

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University Zurich, Virtual Reality; Body Plasticity; Pain, PhD

We are considering applications for 2 PhD candidate positions to join our team at the University of Zurich, Switzerland beginning May 2024 (or slightly later). This interdisciplinary project funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation spans three interinstitutional research groups (Balgrist University Hospital [Petra Schweinhardt], University of Zurich [Milan Scheidegger], the Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich [Bigna Lenggenhager, Milan Scheidegger], and the University Hospital of Zurich [Felix Scholkmann]) and will encompass several studies focusing on the neurophenomenological effects of virtual reality and/or psychedelics on bodily plasticity and acute/chronic pain.

Competitive applicants will have a master’s degree with demonstrated interests and skills in (fNIRS) neuroimaging and/or virtual reality programming. Although both PhD candidates will be working closely together throughout the project duration due to the significant overlap of VR and neuroimaging, they will be co-mentored by different professors due to the position-specific methodology and will further collaborate with the senior project coordinator/postdoctoral researcher on the project. PhD researchers should have strong interpersonal skills and be able to work independently in an interdisciplinary team.

PhD Position 1

This PhD candidate’s research will focus on fNIRS data collection and analysis. They will work closely with Felix Scholkmann from the University Hospital Zurich and explore neural activity under the influence of psychedelics and virtual reality. Good knowledge of data analysis and technical programming (Matlab, R) is required.

PhD Position 2

This PhD candidate will have VR programming experience (Unity3D preferred) and be responsible for creating virtual environments that will include full-body virtual avatars with real-time (visuomotor) tracking of the limbs. The projects will include the investigation of body perception and pain in virtual reality and under psychedelic substances.

The positions will involve conducting research and performing experiments with healthy individuals and chronic pain patients. Further responsibilities will include the analysis of data, preparation and presentation of research results and lab meetings and conferences, and assisting in the work of other lab members. We offer a 3.5–4-year employment (dependent on starting date) with competitive salaries defined according to the SNSF guidelines. PhD candidates can be embedded in the Neuroscience (ZNZ) PhD or Psychology PhD program at the University of Zurich.

Interested applications are requested to submit their CV and 2–3 references (contact information) together with a cover letter/letter of intent (as a single PDF) stating your research interests to the project coordinator Jasmine Ho (meo.studies@bli.uzh.ch) by December 15th, 2023. Informal inquiries by email are welcome.

Social Decision Neuroscience Lab

The Social Decision Neuroscience Lab (www.sdn-lab.org), led by Dr. Patricia Lockwood, is looking for PhD students interested in the computational, behavioural and neural basis of social learning decision-making. The deadline for applications is 4th January 2024 to start October 2024.

The lab studies the cognitive, computational and neural mechanisms of social learning and decision-making. We combine an array of methodological techniques including neuroimaging, patient studies and computational modelling with behavioural paradigms inspired by economics and learning theory. The lab has a strong emphasis on equality, diversity, and supporting lab members to thrive.

The lab is based at the Centre for Human Brain Health and Institute of Mental Health at the University of Birmingham, UK, with access to exceptional facilities including MRI, MEG, TMS, FUS, OPM and fNIRS. 

Funding is available through the BBSRC (full details of the project and how to apply via the link) and ERC which provide a stipend, fees and a research allowance, amongst other benefits. The positions are open and fully funded to international students.Interested candidates should send their CV and a short statement (max 1-page) of their research interests and motivation to complete a PhD by 10th December 2023 to Dr. Lockwood (p.l.lockwood@bham.ac.uk) before applying through the scheme, as only a small number of applicants can be put forward. There will be an additional opportunity to apply for a studentship funded by the ERC in early 2024.