Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Postdoctoral Position - Cognition & Neuroimaging of Acute to Chronic Stroke

 The Schnur laboratory at the McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston invites applications for a postdoctoral fellowship as part of the NIH project “Recovery of Language and Theory of Mind after Stroke”. The position is a full-time paid position.

The laboratory enrolls participants in the acute phase of stroke for behavioral testing and neuroimaging from three comprehensive stroke centers in the Houston Texas Medical Center. The goal of the project is to understand the neural, cognitive, and social communication systems which contribute to recovery of language in the year following stroke. We enjoy collaborations with research groups in Houston as well as nationally and internationally. The laboratory is located within the TIRR Memorial Hermann Research Center in the center of Houston, a 10-minute walk to patient recruitment sites in the Texas Medical Center, 5-minutes from the Baylor College of Medicine’s Center for Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CAMRI), and a 10-minute walk to the Houston METRO Rail. At CAMRI, we collect quantitative and functional neuroimaging from patients and neurotypical controls on a state-of-the art 3T Siemens Prisma scanners.

The position is projected to last 24 months. The start date is flexible but would ideally be around January 2027. 

Strongly preferred:  A PhD in a field related to cognitive neuroscience. Strong expertise in quantitative neuroimaging and/or human fMRI data analysis in clinical populations and multivariate behavioral data and experience in either cognitive psychology of language and/or social-affective cognition, with evidence of successful manuscript preparation and experience with Python, MATLAB, and R as evidenced by the Ph.D. thesis and/or publications.

Desirable additional qualifications include experience in either cognitive psychology of language and/or social-affective cognition, with evidence of successful manuscript preparation and experience with Python, MATLAB, and R.

 With your application, please include:

• A one-page cover letter (include specific examples of qualifications for the position, why the position is of interest, and your career goals)
• CV
• A statement of research interests (up to 1-page, including relevant background for this position)
• The name and email addresses of three references

 Informal inquiries can be made to Dr. Tatiana Schnur ([email protected]).

 What we do here changes the world. UTHealth Houston is Texas’ resource for healthcare education, innovation, scientific discovery, and excellence in patient care. That’s where you come in.

Once you join us you won't want to leave. It’s because we reward our team for the excellent service they provide. Our total rewards package includes the benefits you’d expect from a top healthcare organization (benefits, insurance, etc.), plus:  

• 100% paid medical premiums for our full-time employees  
• Generous time off (holidays, preventative leave day, both vacation and sick time – all of which equates to around 37-38 days per year) 
• The longer you stay, the more vacation you’ll accrue! 
• Build your future with our awesome retirement/pension plan! 

We take care of our employees! As a world-renowned institution, our employees’ wellbeing is important to us. We offer work/life services such as... 

• Free financial and legal counseling 
• Free mental health counseling services 
• Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs 
• Other employee discounts including entertainment, car rentals, cell phones, etc. 
• Resources for child and elder care 
• Plus many more! 

Position Summary:

A biomedical postdoc position provides an opportunity for early-career researchers to gain valuable experience, develop independent research skills, and contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge in their field of expertise.

Position Key Accountabilities:

1.    Plans and conducts experiments, analyzes data, and prepares publications describing results.
2.    Assists in training and mentoring of lab personnel, including graduate students and other trainees.
3.    Reads and evaluates literature.
4.    Possess interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate and communicate with individuals at all levels.
5.    Have strong written and oral communication skills. 
6.    Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education:

Doctoral/Terminal Degree

Physical Requirements:

Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently and/or a negligible amount constantly to move objects.

Security Sensitive:

This position is a security-sensitive position pursuant to Texas Education Code §51.215 and Texas Government Code §411.094. To the extent that a position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Texas Business and Commerce Code §117.001(2), the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired for and to continue to be employed in that position. Personnel in such positions, and similarly situated state contractors, will be routinely reviewed to determine whether things such as criminal history or continuous connections to the government or political apparatus of a foreign adversary might prevent the applicant, employee, or contractor from being able to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure. A foreign adversary is a nation listed in 15 C.F.R. §791.4.

Residency Requirement:

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.