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

We seek a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join a multidisciplinary team studying brain development across the lifespan. The successful candidate will contribute to NIH-funded projects characterizing the neurobiological complexity and clinical heterogeneity of autism spectrum disorder, while developing an independent research program that complements ongoing studies of typical and atypical neurodevelopment. This is a full-time, 12-month appointment renewable for up to two additional one-year terms, contingent on need, satisfactory performance, and funding availability.

About the role

The candidate will report to Dr. Kevin Pelphrey and work collaboratively with faculty, students, and staff within the Center for Healthy Brain Development at the University of Virginia. The position is based in Charlottesville, VA, and must be performed fully on-site.

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 as assigned.

Requirements

• Doctoral degree in neuroscience, psychology, biology, biomedical engineering, or a related field 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.
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience with the acquisition, management, and/or analysis of neuroimaging data.
• 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.

Physical Demands

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job occasionally requires traveling to attend meetings and programs.

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.