Postdoctoral Research Associate

GENERAL REQUISITION INFORMATION

EEO Statement:	UNMC is an Affirmative Action Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, including an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Location	Omaha, NE
Requisition Number:	2024 - 000
Department	Neurological Sciences 50001975
Business Unit(College/Institute)	College of Medicine
FTE:	100
Reg-Temp	Full-Time Regular
Work Schedule	As directed by supervisor
Requisition Category	Research - Academic
Requisition Title	Postdoctoral Research Associate
Job Title/Academic Rank	Postdoctoral Research Associate
Additional Requisition Title
Appointment Type	A1 - REG OTHER ACAD SAL
Salary Range	Salary Commensurate with Experience
Job/EEO Category	Professional Non-Faculty (Includes Other Academic)
Job Requisition Begin Date	01/08/2024

Position Qualification

Position Summary	The Mind & Brain Health Labs (MBHL) in the Department of Neurological Sciences at the University of Nebraska Medical Center seeks an outstanding post-doctoral research scholar. The successful applicant will have a strong training in cognitive science and human behavioral modeling, and be a passionate learner, who is eager to collaborate in multidisciplinary studies of real-world behavior. This includes observational studies using real-world data from personal devices, automobiles, and individuals’ own environments, as a naturalistic window on sleep, movement, and physiology. The goal is to develop actionable, metrics on early disease detection and progression, social-engagement, and quality of life for new clinical interventions and trials––to advance detection, prediction, and healthcare for all across the lifespan and exposome, as for neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, mental health conditions such as PTSD, and common medical disorders such as diabetes and arthritis. The postdoctoral scholar will benefit from educational, professional development, and collaborative resources in clinical and translational research (CTR) in the department and in the Great Plains IDeA-CTR network, and growing institutional strengths in AI, machine learning and clinical informatics. This is a unique opportunity to translate and expand human behavior, cognitive, and analytic/programming skill sets to cutting-edge CTR, in addition to building a competitive CV with presentations and publications. Essential Activities: Conduct collaborative research (with MBHL research team, industry, and academic partners) on cognitive effects of disease on human behavior to develop models of disease. Work with MBHL research team to identify, develop, and implement new research ideas, funding proposals, and data analyses. Analyze data to provide answers to research questions. Author publications and present findings to the scientific community. Prepare technical reports for internal use and funding agencies. MBHL (https://www.unmc.edu/mbhl/) is an interdisciplinary group of researchers who are committed to CTR aimed at improving patient health, safety, and quality of life. Our collaborative team is funded by the NIH, industry, and foundation grants––and combines expertise from medicine, cognitive neuroscience, human factors, driving research, statistics, computer science, biomechanics, and public policy. We focus on developing evidence-based models of how disease impacts human behavior (driving, sleep, mobility) and of how physiology predicts disease development, progression, and outcomes (safety, health, and quality of life). Our techniques combine comprehensive demographic, laboratory and medical assessments with personal, sensor-based monitoring of real-world behavior and physiologic patterns with a focus on aging, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, and medical conditions such as diabetes. Research outcomes aim to inform patients and providers, and clinical interventions to improve health outcomes, policy, and technology development with the goal of improving health, safety, and quality of life for all, across the lifespan. The Department of Neurological Sciences at UNMC (https://www.unmc.edu/neurologicalsciences/), comprises clinicians, teachers and researchers who seek new understanding and knowledge on mechanisms, care and cures for all neurological and psychiatric disorders. Collaboration cycles from basic research to clinical trials and community outreach, across a network that spans UNMC and regional partner institutions, to advance our shared mission of improving brain health across the lifespan. The GP IDeA-CTR (https://gpctr.unmc.edu) is developing key infrastructure, programs, cores, and human resources to meet CTR needs and health challenges across the nation. Our objective is to develop a robust, networked research infrastructure to nurture, develop, and guide our CTR investigators, and build collaborations among them and with community partners. This includes multiple academic institutions, a practice based research network (PBRN) including about 90 sites, along with other large national research networks. We foster strong partnerships to share new knowledge and best practices in CTR, compete successfully for research awards, and better understand the mechanisms of development of disease, as targets for accessible care, cures, and prevention for all. Questions may be directed to Katrina Cordts, PhD at katrina.cordts@unmc.edu Applications are being accepted at: https://unmc.peopleadmin.com/postings/83630 Individuals from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Required Qualifications	A PhD in Cognitive Science, Neuroscience, Psychology, Human Factors, or related field. Basic and clinical research experience are accepted. Strong analytic skills in statistical modeling of human behavior and health data. Machine learning backgrounds in modeling human behavioral data, as well as experience with digital twin and large language models, are also accepted. Exposure to behavioral simulation work (such as driving simulation). Statistical programming ability (e.g., R and Python) are preferred.
Supplemental Qualifications	Demonstrated academic success through publications, conference presentations, and participation in funded research Training or experience in grant application and IRB application preparation Exposure to predictive, time series, and machine learning modeling approaches. Proficiency in experimental design and implementation. Excellent organizational and time-management skills, ability to work as a team member, and strong verbal and written communication skills. Creative, collaborative, critical thinker.

Working Environment & Physical Requirements

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The information provided below best describes the Environment in which the primary function of the position is performed.

Check the appropriate box(es) that best describes the Environment in which the primary function of the position is performed.	Office environment, Lab environment, Clinical environment
Other working environment	NA

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT

Bending, stooping, twisting	Occasionally
Crawling	Not Applicable
Driving	Occasionally
Kneeling	Occasionally
Reaching	Occasionally
Sitting	2-5 hours
Standing	2-5 hours
Squatting	Occasionally
Walking	2-5 hours

EXPOSURES

Atmospheric	No
Blood/body fluids	No
Chemical hazards	No
Working on or around moving machinery	No
Electrical current	No
Noise	No
Changes of temperature/humidity	No
Wear PPE	Yes
Work with laboratory animals	No
Radiation
Operating hand/power tools	Yes
If you answered yes to any area above, please explain	Working with patients

Hand/Wrists

Fine Manipulation	Both
Repetitive Motion	Both
Grasping	Both
If you selected any area above, please explain	Use of computer

Addtional

Describe any other aspects and demands of the job not listed in this description.

EEO Statement

The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work and learning environment free from discrimination and harassment. UNMC is dedicated to creating an environment where everyone feels valued, respected and included. UNMC does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment. UNMC complies with all local, state and federal laws prohibiting discrimination, including Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

C.V.
Cover Letter

Optional Documents

Other Doc

Requisition Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

* Do you have, or will you possess in the near future, a Doctoral degree in the area(s) identified in this posting?
- Yes
- No
* If you have not yet graduated, can you provide an enrollment verification or enrollment certificate with expected graduation date from your university or institution? This can be uploaded as "other document"
- Yes
- No
* If you do not yet have the degree required for this position, what is your expected graduation date?
(Open Ended Question)
* How many published articles do you have?
(Open Ended Question)
* Of these published articles, how many are you first-author
(Open Ended Question)
* Please enter the name of your doctoral degree-granting institution.
(Open Ended Question)
* How many years of postgraduate research experience do you have as of the date you are submitting this application?
(Open Ended Question)
* Please select one of the following:
- I am a U.S. citizen
- I am a non-citizen national of the U.S.
- I am a permanent resident (green card holder)
- Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status
* How did you hear about this position?
- Careerlink
- Employee Referral
- HERC
- Indeed
- Job Fair
- Lincoln Journal Star
- Linkedin
- Omaha World Herald
- UNMC Job Site
- Facebook
- NEWorks
- Handshake
- Other
* If Other, please specify the source. Otherwise, indicate NA.
(Open Ended Question)