Postdoctoral Research Fellow

About the Opportunity:

The Department of Psychology and Center for Cognitive and Brain Health at Northeastern University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate or more senior position. The position is to begin Summer or Fall 2025 for a term of 2-3 years, with yearly renewals based upon funding and performance.  

This position will be based in the Social Development and Wellbeing Lab led by Dr. Alexandra Rodman. The Lab and offices are the heart of Boston, in the new, state-of-the-art ISEC building, which includes a brand-new neuroimaging center. Our research examines the social lives of teens, including their social behavior and experiences, and how they process social information. We also examine how individual differences in these processes confer risk or resilience to mental health problems. As part of the Center for Cognitive and Brain Health, there is ample opportunity for collaboration with other faculty and researchers of the Center.

Responsibilities:

This postdoctoral position will involve leading independent research, as well as conducting analysis of existing data, which can range broadly from behavioral (e.g., computerized task) to neuroimaging (e.g., fMRI) data from studies examining neurodevelopmental mechanisms of social information processing (e.g., learning, emotion, or motivational processes). Applicants can explore basic characterization of adolescence and/or translational questions related to clinical risk and resilience factors. Though not required, we are particularly interested in applicants who use advanced quantitative methods, including computational modeling, machine learning, and/or analyzing structural and functional neuroimaging data.

Specific activities may include managing/preprocessing/analyzing behavioral and neuroimaging data, collecting new data (e.g., behavioral task, fMRI, digital phenotyping via mobile phone, wearables), presenting and disseminating research, formal supervision and mentoring of lab members at earlier career stages on independent research projects, grant writing, leading independent research and disseminating results via conferences, talks, and first-author manuscripts. Expertise in any or all of these skills is not required.

Qualifications:

Applicants should have a PhD degree (or expected by September 1, 2025) in Psychology or a related field (e.g., Neuroscience, Education, Sociology), with an interest in studying adolescent development and/or wellbeing.

Strong candidates will have a track record of research on psychopathology in children and adolescents and/or interest and expertise in complex social processes, the ability to effectively manage a research team, and experience using advanced quantitative methods, including computational modeling, machine learning, and analyzing structural and functional neuroimaging data.

Candidates can apply online at NU Careers: They must submit a CV and Cover Letter, along with the name and contact information of two referees who have worked with the applicant in a supervisory research role or related position. The Cover Letter should include the applicants’ research interests (i.e., core research questions and projects completed, future directions and how they relate to the current position) and academic/technical training, including current skills and training goals. Please contact Dr. Rodman at [email protected] if you have further questions. Submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with priority given to submissions received before February 18th, 2025. We especially encourage those from underrepresented groups in science to apply.