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

Position Details

Position Information

Recruitment/Posting Title Postdoctoral Research Associate - Cognitive Aging, Minority Health, and Multimodal Data Integration Department Institute for Health, Health C Salary Details A maximum of $70,000 is budgeted for this position Offer Information

The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate's qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university's broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.

Benefits

Rutgers provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. The specific benefits vary based on the position and may include:

* Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage

* Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs

* Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options

* Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)

* Life insurance coverage

* Employee discount programs

Posting Summary

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…