Postdoctoral Fellowship in Neuroimaging of Psychotic Disorders
Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
www.woodwardlab.com

The Woodward Lab in the Department of Psychiatry at Vanderbilt University is seeking candidates interested in the neural basis of neuropsychiatric disorders for an investigator-funded Postdoctoral Fellowship in Neuroimaging of Psychotic Disorders. The selected candidate will work primarily on an NIMH funded study examining thalamocortical networks in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. This project will use multimodal imaging, including working memory fMRI, resting-state fMRI, and diffusion tensor imaging, to investigate thalamocortical networks in both chronic and early stage psychosis. With supervision, the successful candidate will be expected to oversee the collection of neuroimaging data; conduct imaging analyses of structural, functional, and diffusion tensor imaging data; and help write/prepare manuscripts and conference presentations. The Fellow will also be expected to contribute to on-going neuroimaging research projects in the Woodward Lab investigating the neural basis of cognitive impairment in schizophrenia and brain dysconnectivity in autism spectrum disorders. In collaboration with psychosis researchers in the Dept. Psychiatry, the Fellow will also have opportunities to pursue additional scientific research interests through access to a large repository of clinical, cognitive, neuroimaging, and genetic data collected on healthy subjects and individuals with a psychotic disorder.

The following qualifications are required:
- Graduate degree (Ph.D.) in clinical psychology, cognitive psychology, neuroscience, or related discipline;
- Training and experience in functional MRI and diffusion tensor imaging;
- Familiarity with neuroimaging software packages, including SPM, Freesurfer, and FSL;
- Programming experience with Matlab
- While not required, experience in network-based methods, such as graph theory, is highly desirable

Setting: The Vanderbilt Psychotic Disorders Program (VPDP) is a collaborative, multidisciplinary program interested in the study and treatment of adult patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. The VDPD consists of a 22-bed unit within the Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital (VPH), a partial hospitalization program, and an outpatient clinic. The clinical focus of the program is on acute stabilization of psychotic inpatients at VPH and the implementation of long-term treatment plans through outpatient services affiliated with the Department of Psychiatry.

Duration: Minimum of 2 years with advancement to the second year dependent upon satisfactory progress during the first year. The appointment may be extended beyond 2 years contingent on funding and satisfactory performance based on annual reviews.

Salary and Benefits: Salary will be commensurate with NIH postdoctoral stipends (see [grants.nih.gov]). Fellows are also eligible for benefits provided to regular employees of Vanderbilt Medical Center, including health insurance.

Interested candidates should send a cover letter, CV, and the names of three references to Neil Woodward (neil.woodward@vanderbilt.edu). Applications will be considered on a rolling basis; early submissions are strongly encouraged. Please contact Neil Woodward at the above email address if you have any questions. Vanderbilt is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer.