Post-Doctoral Research Associate (northeastern)

Job Description

About the Opportunity

About the Opportunity:

A Postdoctoral Research Associate position is available in Dr. Gothe’s research lab at the Department of Physical Therapy, Movement and Rehabilitation Science and Center for Cognitive and Brain Health at Northeastern University. Applicants are invited to apply for a position to work on research projects focusing on the role of physical activity, specifically yoga, on physical and mental health. The anticipated start of this position is Spring 2024, with yearly renewals based upon funding and performance.  

This position will be based in the Gothe Lab and will report to lab Director Dr. Neha P. Gothe. The position involves working on multiple projects in an active research laboratory. The candidate will work with an interdisciplinary research team. The candidate will work closely with Dr. Gothe and her collaborators on an ongoing randomized controlled trial examining yoga, aerobic and stretching-toning exercise effects on neurocognition among older adults. Other projects in the lab examine the role of yoga in promoting physical, mental and cognitive wellbeing among healthy adults as well as clinical populations such as cancer survivors. The Lab and offices are located in the heart of Boston, in the new, state-of-the-art ISEC building, which includes a neuroimaging center.

Responsibilities:

This postdoctoral position will involve participating in existing studies, leading independent research, as well as conducting analysis of existing data, which can range broadly from psychosocial questionnaires (e.g. standardized surveys about health, quality of life, etc.), to behavioral measures (e.g., computerized cognitive tasks) to neuroimaging (e.g., fMRI) data from studies examining exercise and yoga effects on cognition.

Specific activities may include managing/preprocessing/analyzing behavioral and neuroimaging data, collecting new data (e.g., behavioral cognitive tasks, fMRI/MRI analyses, wearables such as Actigraph and Fitbit data analyses), presenting and disseminating research, formal supervision and mentoring of lab members at earlier career stages on independent research projects, grant writing, leading independent research and disseminating results via conferences, talks, and first-author manuscripts. Experience in some of these methodologies is required.

Qualifications:

Applicants should have a PhD degree (or PhD candidates in the final year of their thesis work) in Psychology, Neuroscience, Exercise Science or a related field (e.g., Public Health, Biostatistics, Education).

Strong candidates will have a track record of research involving young, middle aged and/or older adults and an interest in the effects of exercise on cognition, experience with behavioral or neurocognitive data, the ability to effectively manage a research team, and experience in quantitative methods, and analyzing structural and functional neuroimaging data. Applicants should be highly motivated and creative, have excellent oral and written communication skills and demonstrated research productivity.

How to apply:

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until position is filled. Early application is strongly encouraged. Please submit the following documents:

Cover letter

• Curriculum vitae

• Summary of research experience and interests related to the advertised position

• Reference list including names and full contact details of 3 individuals

The primary work location for this position is the Boston, MA campus. This position currently operates under a hybrid model, requiring a combination of on-campus presence along with a remote work option. The remote work location must be reviewed and approved. The specific work schedule will be dependent upon the operational needs of the (insert unit/department school), and the hybrid model is subject to change based on business needs and college and university policies and guidance.  The interview process will begin immediately and may be conducted remotely or in person. 

Position Type

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.  

Northeastern University is an equal opportunity employer, seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff.  Northeastern values and celebrates diversity in all its forms and strives to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion. 

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other  characteristic protected by applicable law.

To learn more about Northeastern University’s commitment and support of diversity and inclusion, please see www.northeastern.edu/diversity.