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Postdoctoral Position in Contemplative Neuroscience
at McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School
A postdoctoral position is available under the mentorship of Drs. Matthew D. Sacchet, David H. Rosmarin, and Diego A. Pizzagalli within the Laboratory for Affective and Translational Neuroscience (LATN) and Spirituality and Mental Health Program (SMHP) at McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School.
The LATN is part of the Center for Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research (CDASR; Directed by Dr. Pizzagalli; http://cdasr.mclean.harvard.edu/), a vibrant research center with over 40 scientists/staff/students that embraces a multi-disciplinary approach to improve our understanding of the psychological, environmental, and neurobiological factors associated with depression, anxiety, and related disorders across the lifespan
The SMHP (Directed by Dr. Rosmarin; https://www.mcleanhospital.org/treatment/smhp) is a multifaceted initiative to meet the spiritual needs of McLean patients by providing spiritually-integrated care within multiple clinical programs throughout the hospital. In addition, the initiative provides chaplaincy services, develops new methods to incorporate faith into clinical treatment, conducts research on the relevance of spirituality to anxiety, mood, substance use, and other disorders, and trains and educates to raise greater awareness about spirituality and mental health.
The candidate will be expected to lead and collaborate on projects that advance the neuroscience of prayer and meditation. The position will be primarily mentored by Dr. Sacchet, and secondarily by Drs. Rosmarin and Pizzagalli. Dr. Sacchet’s current research focuses on the neuroscience of advanced meditation and meditation training for depression (https://meditation.mclean.harvard.edu/). These studies employ a wide variety of approaches, including but not limited to high-density EEG, MEG, MRI (including functional, diffusion, and perfusion), computational modeling and machine learning, assays of hormonal/inflammatory markers, and wearables and experience sampling. Opportunities will be available to pursue independent research and interdisciplinary collaborations across Harvard Medical School. Depending on research focus, candidates will have access to research-dedicated human MRI scanners (3 T, 4 T, and 7 T), as well as two high-density EEG systems and a MEG system.
Qualifications: A strong background in fast event-related and/or block design task-based functional MRI techniques is required. Expertise in contemplative neuroscience (e.g., prayer, meditation, and/or spirituality) is desired though not required. Additional experience with a second imaging modality and in clinical psychology and computational approaches (e.g., computational modeling, machine learning) will also be considered.
To apply, send a CV, a cover letter describing research interests, as well as names and email addresses of three references to Matthew D. Sacchet (msacchet@mclean.harvard.edumailto:msacchet@mclean.harvard.edu). Review of applications will begin immediately (expected start date: late 2020, although other timeframes may be possible).
McLean Hospital, which is an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. As an equal opportunity employer, McLean seeks qualified candidates for all posted employment opportunities without regard to race, color, age, religion, gender, national origin, disability or veteran status. McLean particularly welcomes applications from minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.
About the institution
Since 1811, McLean Hospital has been a world leader in scientific investigations and treatments of mental illnesses as well as in training generations of scientists and clinicians.
McLean Hospital maintains the largest program of research in neuroscience and psychiatry of any private psychiatric hospital in the United States. McLean Hospital has been ranked as America’s best freestanding psychiatric hospital for 18 consecutive years by U.S. News and World Report. U.S. News and World Report has consistently ranked Harvard Medical School as the best Research Medical School with the best Psychiatry Program.
McLean Hospital is located in Belmont, Massachusetts, approximately 5 miles from Boston.
