Postdoctoral positions in social decision neuroscience and studies of exploration/exploitation in borderline personality and suicidal behavior.
The Decision Neuroscience and Psychopathology Lab at University of Pittsburgh (PI: Alex Dombrovski) invites applications for a post-doctoral scholar position. Postdocs will work on two NIH-supported lines of research in close collaboration with Michael Hallquist’s Developmental Personality Neuroscience Laboratory at Penn State. The first examines learning processes that underlie interpersonal dysfunction and suicidal behavior in borderline personality, focusing on the interplay of Pavlovian and instrumental learning. The second examines decision-making under high cognitive and emotional demands in people at risk for suicide, with a focus on the exploration/exploitation dilemma and aging.
This is a two-year appointment with the possibility of extension; start date is flexible. The ideal candidate will have strong quantitative skills, experience in cognitive, social, affective, or computational neuroscience, and an interest in decision-making in psychopathology. The position will include opportunities to develop and lead new research within the broader aims of the lab and guidance in obtaining independent funding. The lab environment is highly collaborative and postdocs have the opportunity to learn reinforcement learning modeling and functional imaging techniques.
Education & Experience Required: PhD in neuroscience, psychology, economics or a related field, or MD. Experience using advanced statistical and modeling approaches. Demonstrated ability to complete projects as evidenced by first-author publication(s). Programming skills are essential, particularly in functional programming languages including R, Python, or MATLAB. Preferred: Background in functional magnetic resonance imaging (including experience with AFNI, FSL, or SPM) or other human neurophysiology techniques.
To apply, please email Alex Dombrovski (dombax@upmc.edu) your CV, a cover letter that describes research interests and fit, and a list of three references. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the positions have been filled. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions or any other characteristic protected by law.
Alexandre Y. Dombrovski, MD Associate Professor of Psychiatry University of Pittsburgh +1-412-478-2065
100 N. Bellefield St., BT 742 Pittsburgh, PA 15213
http://dnpl.pitt.edu http://tinyurl.com/dombrovski-scholar