School of Medicine Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. Composed of more than 2,600 faculty physicians and researchers, nearly 2,000 students, and more than 6,200 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, and Duke University Health System comprise Duke Health, a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Health Integrated Practice, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home Care and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

Be You. Be Bold. Choose Duke.

Postdoctoral Associate (9-Month Position)

Be You.

At Duke, we celebrate individuality and the unique perspectives that drive innovation and discovery. As a Postdoctoral Associate, you will join a highly collaborative research team dedicated to advancing our understanding of epilepsy, sleep physiology, and neural networks through cutting-edge clinical and translational research.

Working alongside neurologists, neurosurgeons, sleep medicine specialists, engineers, and data scientists, you will have the opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking discoveries while expanding your scientific expertise in a dynamic academic medical center environment.

Be Bold.

As a Postdoctoral Associate, you will lead innovative research focused on the interaction between sleep and epilepsy, leveraging advanced stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) data, intracranial stimulation techniques, and multimodal clinical datasets. This role offers the opportunity to conduct independent research, collaborate across disciplines, and contribute to scientific advancements that improve the lives of patients with epilepsy.

What You'll Do:

Clinical Research & Scientific Discovery

Perform comprehensive phenotyping and annotation of the Duke University SEEG database to support clinical and translational epilepsy research initiatives.
Design, develop, and execute an independent research project exploring the relationship between sleep and epilepsy.
Plan and conduct research studies involving patients undergoing SEEG monitoring.
Design and implement intracranial electrical stimulation experiments to investigate neural mechanisms underlying epilepsy and sleep.
Integrate clinical, electrophysiological, and sleep-related datasets to generate meaningful research insights.

Data Analysis & Interpretation

Analyze complex neurophysiological data derived from SEEG recordings, intracranial stimulation studies, and sleep evaluations.
Apply quantitative and analytical approaches to interpret multimodal research data.
Utilize programming and data analysis tools such as MATLAB, Python, R, or related platforms when applicable.
Support the development of innovative analytical methods for neurophysiological signal interpretation and epilepsy research.

Scientific Communication & Scholarship

Prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
Present research findings at regional, national, and international scientific meetings.
Contribute to grant proposals, research reports, and collaborative scholarly projects.
Communicate scientific findings effectively to multidisciplinary research teams and external audiences.
Assist with mentorship and training activities for students, trainees, and research staff as appropriate.

Collaboration & Research Excellence

Collaborate closely with physicians, scientists, engineers, and research professionals across disciplines.
Support a culture of scientific rigor, reproducibility, research integrity, and continuous learning.
Maintain accurate research records and ensure compliance with applicable institutional and regulatory requirements.
Contribute to innovative, patient-centered research aimed at improving epilepsy diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes.

Working Environment

Participate in research protocols conducted during overnight SEEG monitoring sessions.
Support experimental studies that may require overnight data collection and patient monitoring activities.
Thrive in a highly collaborative academic environment that values teamwork, innovation, and scientific excellence.

What You'll Bring:

Required Qualifications

MD, PhD, or equivalent doctoral degree in Clinical Neurophysiology, Epilepsy, Neuroscience, Neurology, Biomedical Sciences, or a related field.
Demonstrated expertise and training in stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) interpretation for patients with epilepsy.
Experience conducting intracranial EEG research within epilepsy populations.
Knowledge of sleep physiology and sleep staging/scoring using established clinical standards.
Excellent analytical, organizational, and scientific communication skills.
Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a multidisciplinary research environment.

Preferred Qualifications

Demonstrated knowledge of epilepsy presurgical evaluation and clinical SEEG interpretation.
Experience designing or conducting human intracranial electrical stimulation studies.
Programming and data analysis experience using MATLAB, Python, R, or comparable platforms.
Familiarity with advanced neurophysiological signal processing techniques.
Experience with quantitative EEG analysis methodologies.
Strong publication record or evidence of scientific productivity through manuscripts, abstracts, or presentations.
Experience contributing to grant development and collaborative research projects.

Desired Attributes

The ideal candidate will be:

Curious, innovative, and driven to advance epilepsy and sleep research.
Highly organized, dependable, and detail-oriented.
Passionate about translational neuroscience and improving patient care.
Comfortable working with complex clinical and research datasets.
Effective at communicating across clinical, technical, and scientific audiences.
Skilled at balancing independent research with collaborative teamwork.
Committed to scientific rigor, ethical research practices, and reproducible science.
Willing and able to participate in overnight research protocols when needed.

Choose Duke.

At Duke, you'll join a world-class academic medical center where groundbreaking discoveries begin with bold ideas and collaborative teams. You'll have access to exceptional mentorship, innovative technologies, multidisciplinary partnerships, and professional development opportunities that support your continued growth as a scientist and researcher.

Whether advancing our understanding of epilepsy, exploring the neuroscience of sleep, or developing the next generation of therapies, your work will help shape the future of patient care and scientific discovery.

Ready to Make a Difference?

Apply now and help us build a stronger, healthier, and more connected future through innovative neuroscience research.

Duke is an 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 (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military 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.

Essential Physical Job Functions:

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Duke University

Postdoctoral Associate

About the job

Be You. Be Bold. Choose Duke.