Postdoctoral Research Associate – Cognitive Aging, Minority Health, and Multimodal Data Integration

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Cognitive Aging, Minority Health, and Multimodal Data Integration

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will work directly with Dr. Luciana Mascarenhas Fonseca, Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Rutgers University. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research at the intersection of cognitive aging and dementia, with a particular focus on individuals with Down syndrome and other populations at elevated risk for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

The successful candidate will play a key role in ongoing and developing studies examining longitudinal cognitive trajectories and the mechanisms underlying dementia risk and progression. The postdoctoral researcher will work closely with Dr. Fonseca and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of neuropsychologists, neurologists, and cognitive neuroscientists within the Herbert and Jacqueline Krieger Alzheimer's Research Center.

Applicants should be highly motivated to work in aging and dementia research and have experience working with human subjects. Experience in multimodal data integration and statistical analysis is required. Experience with neuroimaging and/or other large-scale biomedical or behavioral datasets is desirable. Ideal candidates will have a background in Neuroscience, Psychology, Neuropsychology, Psychiatry, Cognitive Science, or Health Studies, with a strong interest in cognitive aging and neurodegenerative disease.

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will participate in lab meetings, research-in-progress seminars, and presentations at national and international conferences. Responsibilities include preparing manuscripts, contributing to grant applications, and supporting the development of independent research projects. The successful candidate will also be encouraged to pursue external funding opportunities.

The position requires a minimum on-site presence of 60%. While alternative arrangements may be considered, the ideal candidate should be able to work on-site in New Brunswick at least three days per week. The appointment is initially for one year, with the expectation of a longer-term collaboration and the possibility of renewal.

Dr. Fonseca's research focuses on identifying early predictive markers of dementia, understanding mechanisms of cognitive decline, and advancing inclusive approaches to dementia research. Her work includes studies involving adults with Down syndrome as a key population at elevated risk for Alzheimer's disease, as well as other cohorts affected by neurodegenerative conditions. Her research integrates traditional neuropsychological assessments, digital phenotyping, and ecological momentary assessment approaches, alongside multimodal data sources, to better understand the mechanisms underlying both healthy and pathological aging.

This position provides an opportunity to engage in translational and community-engaged research, co-author and lead manuscripts and grant proposals, develop independent research directions, and grow as an early-career investigator within the Herbert and Jacqueline Krieger Alzheimer's Research Center, the first center in New Jersey dedicated solely to advancing Alzheimer's and dementia research.