Postdoctoral Research Associate - Center for Healthy Brain Development (Neurology)

UVA Health • Charlottesville, VA

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Center for Healthy Brain Development at the University of Virginia is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join a multidisciplinary team of investigators studying brain development across the lifespan. We seek a candidate with strong research experience who can hit the ground running in contributing to NIH-funded projects that characterize the neurobiological complexity and clinical heterogeneity of autism spectrum disorder. The successful candidate will develop a rigorous, independent research program that contributes to and complements ongoing studies of typical and atypical neurodevelopment within the Center. The candidate will report to Dr. Kevin Pelphrey and be expected to work collaboratively with other team members (i.e., faculty, students, and staff) while conducting research projects in the Center.
This is a full-time, 12-month appointment renewable for up to two (2) additional one-year terms, contingent on need, satisfactory performance, and funding availability.
Per UVA policy, postdoctoral appointments are generally limited to individuals who received their doctoral degree within the past five years.

Requirements

• Experience integrating data across molecular, cellular, and systems levels within a single research program.
• Demonstrated expertise in autism from biological and behavioral perspectives.
• Experience working with developmental populations, including children and adolescents.
• A record of peer-reviewed publications and a track record of independent, self-directed research.
• Experience mentoring trainees and contributing to community engagement or outreach.
• Demonstrated ability to secure research funding.
• Doctoral degree in related field.

Nice To Haves

• A Ph.D. in neuroscience, psychology, biology, biomedical engineering, or a related discipline by the appointment start date. Candidates who are ABD at the time of application may be considered, provided they complete all requirements for the Ph.D. before the appointment begins.
• Demonstrated experience with the acquisition, management, and/or analysis of neuroimaging data.
• Demonstrated proficiency applying machine learning or other advanced computational and statistical methods to complex biological datasets.
• Wet-lab experience including stem cell work, animal models, and confocal microscopy.
• Working knowledge of autism spectrum disorder, including behavioral phenotypes and therapeutic or interventional approaches.
• Training or experience coding in R, MATLAB, and/or Python.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, and a demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects with attention to detail and scientific rigor.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-species neuroimaging acquisition and analyses.
• Apply machine learning and other quantitative approaches to high-dimensional neuroimaging and omics datasets.
• Generate and analyze molecular and cellular data.
• Contribute to wet-lab efforts in cellular and animal models.
• Prepare manuscripts and present findings at national and international conferences; contribute to grant applications.
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate trainees and participate in a collaborative, team-science laboratory environment.
• Apply for funding mechanisms.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Benefits

• This is an Exempt-level, benefitted position. For more information on the benefits available to postdoctoral associates at UVA, visit postdoc.virginia.edu and hr.virginia.edu/benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree