Postdoctoral opportunity in clinical research with autism spectrum disorders

Postdoctoral Fellowship in Clinical Research, Labs of Cognitive Neuroscience, Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard School of Medicine 

The Faja and Nelson Labs at the Labs of Cognitive Neuroscience at Boston Children’s Hospital have a postdoctoral fellowship to conduct clinical research with children on the autism spectrum. The labs focus on social cognition and social perception, the impacts of early biological and psychosocial adversity, and understanding phenotypic differences in autism using electrophysiological and behavioral measurement tools. The postdoctoral fellow will contribute to a NIH-funded, multisite project that seeks to establish tools that can be used as biomarkers and/or sensitive and reliable objective assays of social impairment in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) clinical trials. Specifically, the project aims to accelerate the development of effective treatments for social impairment in ASD by validating (a) outcome measures that will be sensitive and reliable assessments of response to treatment and EEG and (b) eye-tracking (ET) biomarkers that can be used to reduce heterogeneity of samples via stratification, indicate early efficacy, and/or demonstrate target engagement with 4- to 11-year-olds with autism.

The fellow will conduct diagnostic and cognitive evaluations for children with autism spectrum disorder and typically development and providing feedback to families under the supervision of a licensed clinical psychologist. As well, the postdoctoral fellow may be involved with administering EEG and eye-tracking measures to children with autism. Other responsibilities potentially include: (1) Assisting with preparing extramural grant applications; (2) Preparing and submitting first-authored and co-authored manuscripts for publication; (3) Mentoring students and staff; (4) Overseeing data collection for behavioral tasks and surveys completed by parents. The motivated fellow will also have opportunities for development of skills in electrophysiological processing and analysis and independent grant writing. The position is available immediately, but the start date is flexible (i.e., including summer 2016).

The Faja Lab and Nelson Labs are part of a research network in the Laboratories of Cognitive Neuroscience that includes a multidisciplinary team of researchers with expertise from a wide range of fields, including neuroscience, psychology, and education. In collaboration with clinical experts in fields such as developmental pediatrics and child neurology, we are working to expand our knowledge of child development and developmental disorders. Areas of focus include the development of memory and face processing, the impact of environmental factors such as stress on cognitive development, and understanding causes of and treatments for autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. Through this collaborative and comprehensive approach, we aim to drive the science forward as rapidly as possible, so that we can translate what we learn into earlier identification, improved therapies, and better outcomes for children and families affected by developmental disorders. Boston Children’s Hospital is ranked as the top children’s hospital in the United States and is committed research and to building a diverse workforce. Applications from women, racial and ethnic minorities are strongly encouraged. For further information please contact, susan.faja@childrens.harvard.edu.

Requirements:
• Doctoral degree from an APA-Accredited program in Clinical Psychology
• Successful completion of an APA-accredited or APPIC-member internship
• Experience administering, scoring, and interpreting intellectual and diagnostic assessments for children
• Experience and formal coursework in psychopathology and psychotherapy with children and adolescents
• Excellent written communication, interpersonal skills and clinical skills
• Previous experience working with individuals with autism spectrum disorder

To apply, please submit:
(1) Letter of interest;
(2) CV/Resume to susan.faja@childrens.harvard.edu

Candidates being considered for this position will be asked to provide 3 letters of professional reference and a writing sample.