Postdoctoral Scholar in the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences and Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences, Lab for Early Auditory Perception


Position Overview


School / Campus / College: College of Arts and Sciences

Organization: Speech & Hearing Sciences

Title: Postdoctoral Scholar in the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences and Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences, Lab for Early Auditory Perception


Position Details


Position Description

The lab for early auditory perception (LEAP, PI: Christina Zhao), housed within the Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences (I-LABS) at the University of Washington (Seattle, WA), is seeking a 1.0 FTE postdoctoral research scholar to help conduct a NIH-funded R01 project (PI: Zhao) investigating infant neural processing of speech, comparing low-risk and high-risk populations for developmental language disorder (DLD), using magnetoencephalography (MEG) on UW Seattle campus. This will be a full-time position with a 12 month service period.

Main responsibilities include interacting with participating families (e.g., recruit, consent), conducting neuroimaging studies with infant participants, analyzing data, presenting, and disseminating of results. Additional opportunities may be made available for teaching and mentoring experience.

This position offers support for professional development with dedicated funds for conference travel, leading to independent research. Independent grant submission is encouraged and supported. Interest and career plan in auditory neuroscience is recommended.

The ideal candidate will have:

  • Strong research track record. A PhD or equivalent in speech and hearing sciences, psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, cognitive neuroscience, or a related field is required.
  • Prior experience working with human subjects, especially involving functional neuroimaging techniques (e.g., M/EEG, fMRI, fNIRS). Prior experience with infants and/or children is desired.
  • Strong analytic skills (MEG analysis in our lab is largely python based with additional R scripting).
  • Excellent writing and communication skills.

This is a benefits-earning position that requires a minimum of 2-year commitment with the possibility of renewal for additional years. Salary is determined based on NIH stipend levels based on years of experience and the new WA state minimum wage act.

Postdoctoral scholars are represented by UAW 4121 and are subject to the collective bargaining agreement, unless agreed exclusion criteria apply. For more information, please visit the University of Washington Labor Relations website.

Environment: 

I-LABS is the world’s leading interdisciplinary research center on early learning and brain development, housing the MEG center dedicated for research. There is a wide range of expertise across many disciplines at I-LABS, including speech and hearing sciences, psychology, physics, bioengineering, linguistics etc. In addition to I-LABS, the University of Washington is home to a strong group of scientists conducting research in various areas related to speech and language development, hearing sciences with state-of-the-art neuroimaging techniques with many additional training opportunities (e.g., seminars, training awards). This training environment offers and encourages collaboration among this team of researchers.

Qualifications

Required qualifications

  1. PhD in Speech and Hearing Science, Communication Sciences, Psychology, Neuroscience, Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field is required.
  2. Experience conducting research in human subjects using neuroimaging methods.
  3. Strong analytical skills and experience with programming language(s) (MEG analysis in our lab is largely python based with additional R scripting)
  4. Strong communication and organizational skills, as well as ability to work in a team.

Desired

  • Prior experience working with infants and young children.
  • A strong publication record.

 

Instructions

The start date is flexible in 2023. Application review and interview will be conducted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Interested applicants should apply through Interfolio. Applications should include a CV, a cover letter indicating how your research background complements the labs’ interests, a diversity statement, and a list of minimum 2 references.  Please direct any questions about this position to Christina Zhao at zhaotc@uw.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status.

Benefits Information

A summary of benefits associated with this title/rank can be found at https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/benefits-orientation/benefit-summary-pdfs/. Appointees solely employed and paid directly by a non-UW entity are not UW employees and are not eligible for UW or Washington State employee benefits.

Commitment to Diversity

The University of Washington is committed to building diversity among its faculty, librarian, staff, and student communities, and articulates that commitment in the UW Diversity Blueprint (http://www.washington.edu/diversity/diversity-blueprint/). Additionally, the University’s Faculty Code recognizes faculty efforts in research, teaching and/or service that address diversity and equal opportunity as important contributions to a faculty member’s academic profile and responsibilities (https://www.washington.edu/admin/rules/policies/FCG/FCCH24.html#2432).

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Disability Services

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.