Research Fellow (Postdoc) in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience 

How does the human mind develop? The FOUNDCOG project aims to address this question by using neuroimaging of infants, in their critical first year after birth, to capture the development of the brain and its functions. We will interpret the results by comparing them to computational models of learning from artificial intelligence. In addition to characterising the development of the human mind, we aim to understand how it is disrupted by brain injury and to produce new diagnostic tools for neonatologists. In this post, you will acquire and analyse neuroimaging data from infants, and compare the results to computational models of learning from artificial intelligence.
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Standard Duties and Responsibilities

• analysing neuroimaging data from infants
• running online behavioural experiments from infants
• relating the results to computational models of learning
• writing and submitting manuscripts to present data and advance theories of infant development
• presenting your work at seminars and meetings
• assisting with the acquisition of neuroimaging data in infants
• contributing to the growth of the methodological and intellectual expertise of the team
• outreach to patient advocacy groups, clinicians, and other interested parties

Salary and Benefits

• Appointment will be made at IUA Post-Doctorate Researcher pay scale at a point in line with Government Pay Policy (€36,854 to €43,828), which will be no higher than point 6.
• Benefits include a pension contribution and PRSI social insurance.
• 3 years, fixed-term full time.

Person Specification
Qualifications

• The candidate must hold a PhD in cognitive neuroscience or a relevant discipline, at the time of beginning employment.

Knowledge & Experience 

• cognitive neuroscience or developmental psychology (highly desirable)
• neuroimaging and neuroimaging methodology (desirable)
• computer programming (desirable)
• testing of infants or children (desirable)
• computational modelling or artificial intelligence (desirable)

Skills & Competencies

• strong critical thinking and good judgement
• excellent organisation and time management
• the ability to work thoroughly through tasks until they are completed, even if they turn out to be more difficult than you first expected
• the ability to write clearly and concisely
• enthusiasm and aptitude to acquire expertise in diverse areas of the project
• enthusiasm and aptitude to share expertise with other team members
• enthusiasm for communication with a broader audience
• a desire to develop your transversal and cross-sectoral skills

Management
​The postholder will report to Professor Rhodri Cusack (TCIN).

​Funding
This project is funded by the FOUNDCOG ERC Advanced Grant.
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TCIN and Trinity College
Our group is located within the prestigious interdisciplinary Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience (TCIN). TCIN is located at Trinity College in the heart of Dublin. Trinity was founded in 1592 and is ranked as Ireland’s No.1 University in the QS World University Ranking, THE World University Ranking and the Academic Ranking of World Universities. It is a member of the League of European Research Universities, and was ranked 78th in the world and 27th in Europe in the 2015/2016 QS World University Ranking, across all indicators.
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Application Procedure
If you are shortlisted and attending one the following conferences in 2018, we would have the chance to meet in person. Please apply at least a week before the start of the conference and send an email to Rhodri.
Organisation for Human Brain Mapping / International Congress on Infant Studies / Gordon Research Conference on the Neurobiology of Cognition
 
Candidates should submit as a single PDF to jobs [at] cusacklab.org with the subject line "POSTDOC18A":

• a cover letter addressing why this project interests you and what you will bring to it
• a full curriculum vitae
• the names and email addresses of two referees
• your undergraduate grades/transcripts (unofficial fine at this stage)
• links to any other supporting media, such as code repositories, preprints, articles in the media, or blogs

Excellent candidates from outside of the EU will also be considered.
Selection will begin on July 11, 2018 and the position will remain open until filled.
If you have any query please contact: Professor Rhodri Cusack  cusackrh [at] tcd.ie