Post-Doc, NIMH/NIH
/Post-Doctoral Fellow
Developmental Neurogenomics Unit
National Institute of Mental Health
National Institutes of Health
Department of Health and Human Services
Bethesda, MD
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), a major research component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), is seeking exceptional candidates for a Post-Doctoral Fellow position in the Intramural Research Programs (IRP), Developmental Neurogenomics Unit (DNU), headed by Dr. Armin Raznahan.
The DNU is dedicated to better understanding the biology of neurodevelopmental disorders in ways that might ultimately help to improve disease prediction, detection and treatment. Clinical research within the DNU involves “deep phenotypic” studies of patients carrying known genetic variants that increase risk for neuropsychiatric difficulties – with a current focus on sex chromosome aneuploidy syndromes. The DNU gathers rich multidimensional measures of behavior, cognition, brain structure and function, as well as tissue samples for genomic analysis. These data are integrated to identify pathways of risk that link genetic variations to alterations of brain and behavioral development. All clinical studies are embedded within a large longitudinal study of brain and behavioral development in health encompassing behavioral and structural neuroimaging data from over 1,500 assessment time points.
A Post-Doctoral Fellow position is available within the DNU for a highly-motivated individual interested in gathering and analyzing measures of autistic symptomatology, general cognitive ability and neuropsychological function in youth with genetic disorders of brain development. This position offers great flexibility in analysis of rich and untapped behavioral/cognitive datasets, plus special opportunities for training in the integration of such data with neuroimaging-derived measures of brain organization in patients and controls. The post will involve an approximately 50/50 split between gathering data through patient assessments, and the analysis/write-up of data for publication. The DNU provides an ideal setting for cross-disciplinary training and special attention is placed on supporting the personal development of team members through collaboration and mentorship. Mentorship and supervision will be provided by Dr. Raznahan, and further clinical training and didactics will be provided from senior developmental neuropsychology colleagues within the NIMH IRP.
An ideal candidate will have experiences that align with four core components of the post: (1) Helping to shape the behavioral/neuropsychological battery for use in youth with neurogenetic disorders (2) Performing valid and reliable diagnostic assessments for Autism Spectrum Disorder as well as cognitive and neuropsychological assessment for the clinical research setting, (3) Providing written and verbal feedback to families, and (4) Analyzing and publishing data on cognitive/behavioral variation in patients with genetically-defined disorder of brain development.
Highly motivated individuals with a record of productive research in the aforementioned domains are encouraged to apply.
Applicants should have a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology [or equivalent based on combinations of Bachelor’s/Master’s degree with 5/3 years specialized experience (respectively)]. The ability to complete research-reliable ADI-R and ADOS (Autism Diagnostic Interview and Observation Schedule respectively) assessments is also highly desirable. The DNU seeks candidates who combine these clinical qualifications with a demonstrable interest in studying inter-relationships between different dimensions of cognition/behavior, and how these dimensions relate to in vivo measures of brain organization.
Salary will be commensurate with education and experience. Applicants are invited to submit a curriculum vitae including publication list, a one-page summary of research interests, and names and contact details of three referees to Dr. Armin Raznahan by email at raznahana@mail.nih.gov.
The National Institutes of Health is an equal opportunity employer.