How to Apply
To be considered for this position, applicants should submit the following materials as one document: (1) a cover letter, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) a statement of research experience and career goals, and (4) the names and contact information for at least two references who can supply a letter of recommendation. All application materials must be submitted via Interfolio: http://apply.interfolio.com/123513
All general inquiries and questions about the position can be sent to srcsearches@umich.edu.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is closed or filled. The anticipated start date is as soon as possible. The initial appointment is for one year, with the possibility of an extension for up to one more year, dependent upon performance.
Summary
The Life Course Development (LCD) Program invites applications for an NIH-funded postdoctoral research fellowship in neuroimaging and racial/ethnic disparities in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). LCD is housed at the Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, one of the world’s largest social science research organizations. This interdisciplinary community includes researchers from sociology, anthropology, economics, psychology, information and computer science, statistics, geography, public policy, public health, and medicine, among others. The LCD program includes quantitative and qualitative scholars from developmental psychology, clinical neuropsychology, and sociology who collaborate in a team science environment to examine social relations and health over the life course, from children to older adults, with special attention to matters of context and culture.
We seek motivated individuals who are well-trained in structural neuroimaging data analysis, enthusiastic about joining an interdisciplinary team, and have a keen interest in the field of cognitive aging and dementia. The primary focus of this position is to assist with and help manage the acquisition, transfer, processing, and quality control of structural MRI data, data analyses, and publications on the topic of brain health among Arab American, African American, and non-Hispanic White older adults living in metro-Detroit (Detroit-area Aging and Memory Project.
Responsibilities*
- This postdoctoral fellow will coordinate processing and analysis of structural MRI data. This will include receiving and tracking neuroimaging data files, performing quality control procedures (e.g., manual corrections), running images through a variety of automated pipelines (e.g., FreeSurfer) and custom software (e.g., white matter hyperintensities), and performing statistical analyses on resultant brain health variables under the guidance and supervision of project investigators.
- The research fellow will be encouraged to lead analyses that integrate neuroimaging data with clinical and other biomarker data to investigate health disparities, as well as sociocultural influences on AD risk and expression. Opportunities for participation in other ongoing studies (e.g., Social Relations Study, Michigan Cognitive Aging Project) and secondary data analysis of large, longitudinal datasets are also available.
- The fellow will be encouraged to develop research networks with other collaborators at UM and other institutions. Collaborations within the project will ensure the fellow is exposed to cutting-edge analytic techniques and understands links between biological and social sciences.
- The fellow will also assist in development of project deliverables such as progress reports, conference presentations, and journal articles. The successful candidate will become part of an interdisciplinary investigation to understand AD risk and resilience among diverse racial/ethnic groups.
Required Qualifications*
- A doctoral degree in neuroscience, psychology, biomedical engineering, computer science, or related fields.
- Substantial experience with neuroimaging.
- Strong scientific publication record.
- The applicant should be highly organized, be able to work independently, excel at communicating with others, be proactive in solving data problems, and exercise sound judgment in analytic decision making.
- Applicants are expected to have met all doctoral requirements before the start of the fellowship.
Desired Qualifications*
- Track record of research in the field of cognitive aging and dementia.
- Experiences in the field of health disparities.
Work Locations
Work location is expected to be onsite in Ann Arbor with flexibility for remote work within our overall Center policies.
Additional Information
The salary range is $56,484-$59,592 plus benefits and travel funds.
The Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitment to serve the diverse people of Michigan, to maintain the excellence of the university, and to ground our research in varied disciplines, perspectives, and ways of knowing and learning.
Background Screening
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Job openings are posted for a minimum of fourteen calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO/AA Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.