The Neuroimaging Research Core at the Marcus Autism Center in the Department of Pediatrics at Emory University, in collaboration with the Biomedical Imaging Technology Center in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Emory University/Georgia Tech, is offering a full time position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow. Applicants should have a Ph.D. degree in Biomedical Engineering, MR physics, Computer Sciences, Neuroscience, Psychology or related fields, as well as research experience in MRI image and brain network analyses. Experience with MRI analysis software packages (i.e., FSL, AFNI for diffusion and functional MRI data analyses) and strong computer programming skills (MATLAB, C/C++ & Bash scripts) are required. The Neuroimaging Research Core at Marcus is currently conducting several large-scale longitudinal infant and school-aged neuroimaging studies. The Core has a strong interest in developmental brain changes in very young infants (0 to 6 months) and in young children. The goal of these studies is to understand how autism spectrum disorders (ASD) impact the development of brain and behavior.
The applicant will be expected to (i) develop computational and statistics methods to analyze neuroimaging data from infants and school-aged children (in both cross-sectional and longitudinal data sets), (ii) design and implement novel techniques for optimizing data collection from infants and children, (iii) prepare manuscripts and extramural grants, and (iv) collaborate with MRI physicists, social neuroscientists, engineers, and clinicians. The position-holder will be expected to work closely with the Biomedical Imaging Technology Center (directed by Dr. Xiaoping Hu) and the Social Neuroscience Lab (directed by Dr. Warren Jones) at the Marcus Autism Center.
The Biomedical Imaging Technology Center is a research center of the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, a joint department of Georgia Tech and Emory University specializing in functional brain imaging, high-field imaging, in vivo spectroscopy, and molecular imaging. The Marcus Autism Center is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). It is the country’s largest center for clinical care of children and adolescents with ASD, with more than 5,000 unique children and their families served each year. The Center is also one of the national hubs of science in the field of developmental disabilities, designated by NIH as an Autism Center of Excellence. Programs range from social and behavioral neuroscience, to molecular genetics and model systems, to the augmentation of community resources and community-viable treatments.
The position is available immediately and the initial appointment is for one year. Renewal is expected if progress is satisfactory. Emory University School of Medicine offers competitive benefits and salary package in line with NIH guidelines and has been ranked high as one of the “Best Places to Work for Postdocs”. Interested candidates should email to Dr. Longchuan Li (lli36@emory.edu mailto:lli36@emory.edu, please include the word “POSTDOC” in the subject of the email), with a cover letter and CV. Qualified candidates will be asked to have 3 letters of reference forwarded to Dr. Li.
*Related publications:* Jones, W., and A. Klin. "Attention to eyes is present but in decline in 2-6-month-old infants later diagnosed with autism." /Nature/ 504.7480 (2013): 427-431. Shultz, Sarah, Ami Klin, and Warren Jones. "Inhibition of eye blinking reveals subjective perceptions of stimulus salience." /Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences/ 108.52 (2011): 21270-21275. Li, Longchuan, et al. "Mapping putative hubs in human, chimpanzee and rhesus macaque connectomes via diffusion tractography." /Neuroimage/ 80 (2013): 462-474. Li, Longchuan, et al. "The effects of connection reconstruction method on the interregional connectivity of brain networks via diffusion tractography." /Human brain mapping/ 33.8 (2012): 1894-1913. Craddock, R. Cameron, et al. "Disease state prediction from resting state functional connectivity." /Magnetic resonance in Medicine/ 62.6 (2009): 1619-1628.