RA and Postdoctoral positions at the Brain and Language Lab

[Michael Ullman]

The Brain and Language Lab at Georgetown University (brainlang.georgetown.edu)
has two new positions, for one Research Assistant and one Postdoctoral Fellow.

If you know of any excellent candidates for either of these positions
(e.g., graduating seniors for the RA position, or 
individuals about to receive their PhD
for the postdoctoral position), can you please forward them this email?

I would also greatly appreciate it if you could 
forward/post the job description
below to any appropriate email lists at your institution.

Thank you very much,

Michael Ullman



THE BRAIN AND LANGUAGE LAB
The Brain and Language Lab investigates the 
biological and computational bases of language, 
and the relations between language and other 
cognitive domains, including memory, music and 
motor function. The lab's research examines both 
native and later-learned language. The lab is 
particularly interested in within and between 
subject differences in the biocognition of 
language, based on factors such as genetic 
variation, endocrine fluctuations, and sex and 
handedness differences. The lab's members test 
their hypotheses using a set of complementary 
behavioral, neurological, neuroimaging (ERPs, 
fMRI) and other biological (genetic, endocrine, 
pharmacological) approaches. They are interested 
in the normal acquisition and processing of 
language and non-language functions, as well as 
in the breakdown, recovery and rehabilitation of 
these functions in a variety of disorders, 
including Specific Language Impairment, ADHD, 
dyslexia, autism, Williams syndrome, Alzheimer's 
disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's 
disease, and aphasia. For a fuller description of 
the Brain and Language Lab, please go to brainlang.georgetown.edu.


RESEARCH ASSISTANT POSITION
We are seeking a full-time Research Assistant/Lab 
Manager. The successful candidate, who will work 
with the two RA/Lab Managers currently in the 
lab, will have the opportunity to be involved in 
a variety of projects, using a range of 
methodological approaches (see 
brainlang.georgetown.edu). S/he will have 
responsibility for various aspects of research 
and laboratory management and organization, 
including working with other lab members in 
preparing and managing grants and IRB protocols; 
helping manage and upgrade the lab’s computers; 
writing and upgrading lab-specific computer 
programs for data processing; creating 
experimental stimuli; setting up and running 
experiments; performing statistical analyses; 
carrying out background research; and helping to 
write papers for publication. Minimum 
requirements for the position include a B.A. or 
B.S., with a significant amount of course-work or 
research experience in language, cognition, 
neuroscience, computer science, statistics, or a 
related field. Familiarity with UNIX and Windows 
is highly desirable, as is programming experience 
and a strong aptitude and experience in math or 
statistics.  A car is preferable because subject 
testing is conducted at multiple sites. The 
candidate must be extremely energetic, 
hard-working, organized, efficient and 
responsible, and be able to work with a diverse group of people.


POSTDOCTORAL POSITION
The postdoctoral fellow will have the opportunity 
to be involved in a number of different projects, 
using a variety of methodological approaches (see 
brainlang.georgetown.edu), and to carry out 
her/his own studies related to lab interests. 
Minimum requirements for the position include a 
PhD and background in cognitive neuroscience, 
cognitive psychology, theoretical linguistics or 
a related field; research experience 
investigating the neurocognition of language; and 
expertise in two or more of the following: ERPs, 
fMRI, MEG, adult-onset disorders, developmental 
disorders, psycholinguistic behavioral 
techniques, statistics, molecular techniques. We 
are particularly interested in candidates with a 
substantial background in, and an aptitude for, 
experimental design and statistics. Excellent 
writing skills, a strong publication record, and 
previous demonstration of funding will all be 
considered advantageous. Candidates must have 
completed all PhD degree requirements prior to starting the position.


FOR BOTH POSITIONS
To allow for sufficient time to learn new skills 
and to be productive, candidates for both 
positions should ideally be available to work for 
three years. A start date of spring/summer 2006 
is preferable.  Interested candidates should 
email Marco Piñeyro (map89 at georgetown.edu) their 
CV and up to 3 publications (or other writing 
samples, for RA applicants), and have 3 
recommenders email him their recommendations 
directly. Consideration of applicants will begin 
immediately, and will end when the positions are 
filled. Salary will be commensurate with 
experience and qualifications. Both positions are 
NIH-funded. Georgetown University is an 
Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer. 
The positions include health benefits.