Post Doctoral Fellow - COMP Lab

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Emory University is a leading research university that fosters excellence and attracts world‑class talent to innovate today and prepare leaders for the future. We welcome candidates who can contribute to the excellence of our academic community.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Helps design and conduct research within a specified field while receiving advanced training from a designated Principal Investigator to enhance professional skills and research independence needed for pursuit of a career. The specific area of research in which the trainee is mentored is determined by the department and laboratory of the Postdoc. Designs and evaluates experiments. Develops new ideas that promote current research.

Prepares and publishes scientific manuscripts under the direction of the Principal Investigator. May be responsible for operation of specific equipment. May teach techniques to others, train, and supervise research staff. Positions are temporary appointments as a research trainee. The initial appointment is for one year, renewal expected if progress is satisfactory and funds are available. Appointments cannot exceed five years.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• A doctoral degree or equivalent (Ph.D., M.D., ScD., D.V.M., DDS, etc.) in an appropriate field.
• Excellent scientific writing ability and strong oral communication skills.
• The ability to work effectively and collegially with colleagues.
• Additional qualifications as specified by the Principal Investigator.

Postdoctoral position in computational modeling of anxious avoidance at the Computational Mechanisms of Psychopathology Lab at Emory University (PI: Vanessa Brown, PhD)

The Computational Mechanisms of Psychopathology Lab (COMPLab; PI: Vanessa Brown, PhD) is recruiting for a postdoctoral fellow to join the lab. Research in the lab uses behavioral tasks (administered in‑lab and remotely), functional and structural imaging, computational modeling, and mechanistic interventions (brief psychotherapy, neuromodulation) to investigate learning alterations in anxiety and related disorders. In particular, this position will support research funded by a new NIH R01 using predictive and generative modeling of threat imminence to understand and manipulate avoidance in anxiety.

This position is ideal for someone with a background in some combination of behavior/learning theory approaches to anxiety, computational modeling of behavior, and fMRI analysis; and who wishes to gain or deepen expertise in these areas. The postdoctoral fellow will be expected to design experiments, analyze data, present and publish findings, apply for external funding, and assist with training other lab members and with lab management.

Dr. Brown and the COMP Lab are strongly committed to mentorship, and support will be provided to assist the postdoctoral fellow to prepare for an independent research career.

To apply, please submit the following:

• Cover letter detailing fit for lab based on research interests and required skills/qualifications
• CV
• Names and contact information for three professional references
• Representative publication (can be a preprint or in‑prep)

Required skills/qualifications:

• A Ph.D. (by start of employment) in Psychology, Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering, Cognitive Science, or related field.
• Expertise in advanced quantitative/statistical methods (e.g., generative computational modeling, multilevel and/or structural equation modeling, univariate and/or multivariate fMRI/EEG analysis).
• Knowledge of R, Python, Matlab, shell scripts, or similar programming languages.
• Interest in mechanisms of psychopathology, particularly anxiety.

NOTE:

Position tasks are generally required to be performed in‑person at an Emory University location. Remote work from home day options may be granted at department discretion. Emory reserves the right to change remote work status with notice to employee.

Emory is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state…