The Mood Brain and Development Unit (MBDU) at the NIH led by Dr Argyris Stringaris is looking for a post-doc.

 

The focus of the MBDU is on how reward processing aberrations impact on human mood and may lead to pathologies such as depression. There is a lot of promise that reward processing abnormalities underlie psychiatric disorders. Yet, only if causal links reward processing aberrations and mood still are elucidated, will they form the basis of targeted treatment design. To resolve these questions, we use a variety of tools, benefitting from the unique scientific environment and resources that the NIH offers. In particular, we use longitudinal imaging protocols at three different time scales, work on methodological development of resting-state and task-based imaging data fusion, leverage treatment designs (such as psychological or pharmacological therapies) and develop closed loop devices for mood manipulation. We are a team that works closely together, has many regular science and social meetings and collaborates extensively with others in and out of NIH.

 

Candidates with a strong background in MRI and at least an interest in neurophysiological methods such as EEG/MEG, as well as a keen interest in methodology and computational modeling will be most suited for the job. Advanced coding in R, Python, Matlab or Shell scripts is a requirement. Cognitive neuroscientists, engineers and other candidates with strong numerical and computational skills are particularly encouraged to apply. 

The postdoctoral community at the NIH is large (approximately 4,000) strong and vibrant. Trainees come from across the U.S. and around the world.  Salary for this position is defined by type of training and years of experience. https://www.training.nih.gov/postdoctoral_irta_stipend_ranges Benefits include health insurance for the trainee and his/her family, and support for coursework related to the trainee's research and travel to meetings is often available. https://www.training.nih.gov/programs/postdoc_irp  

The NIH is among the largest and best communities of neuroimaging researchers in the world, with opportunities to collaborate with leaders in the field of fMRI, MEG, machine learning, computational psychiatry and neuromodulation. Our group has access to high performance computing, has been allocated timeslots to use fMRI and has our own in-patient unit with full-time clinicians. See more information here https://www.nimh.nih.gov/labs-at-nimh/research-areas/clinics-and-labs/edb/mbdu/index.shtml

 

For more information, please write with CV and expression of interest to Argyris Stringaris: argyris.stringaris@nih.gov and Narun Pornpattananangkul: narun.pornpattananangkul@nih.gov . The National Institutes of Health is an equal opportunity employer.