Postdoctoral Training Opportunity – Neuroimaging Data Analysis (Herrold Lab)
The Herrold lab is seeking a postdoctoral trainee to perform neuroimaging data analysis for studies related to repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) treatment for co-occurring alcohol use disorder and mild traumatic brain injury. This is a VA fellowship at Hines VA in Hines IL, with dual postdoctoral trainee appointments at Hines and Northwestern University, Chicago, IL.
PI Information, Dr. Amy Herrold: Dr. Herrold is a neuroscientist focused on developing and optimizing neuroscience-informed neuromodulatory treatments for substance use disorders co-occurring with mild traumatic brain injury.
The objectives of this study are to 1) identify neural targets (i.e. site of stimulation) associated with both alcohol-related characteristics and self-reported functional disability, and 2) assess preliminary efficacy and sustainability of a high frequency rTMS protocol applied to these customized neural targets relative to the commonly used left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) site. Neuroimaging metrics will be assessed through a multi-modal, functional and structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan. Participants will complete a scan protocol including a 3D T1/MPRAGE, fMRI alcohol cue-reactivity task, 20min resting state scan, and DTI.
The postdoctoral trainee will be supervised by the project PI Dr. Amy Herrold at Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital and Northwestern University Dept. of Psychiatry. Dr. Herrold works with an excellent interdisciplinary research team including experts in the fields of neuroimaging (Dr. Todd Parrish, Dr. Tim Durazzo) and traumatic brain injury (Dr. Theresa Bender Pape). Imaging data for this project will be acquired at the state-of-the-art, research-dedicated Center for Translational Imaging at Northwestern University using a 3-T Siemens PRISMA scanner. We will utilize the Northwestern University NeuroimagingData Archive (Alpert et al. 2016 Neuroimage 124: 1131-1136) for archiving, quality assessment, and to assist with data processing.
The postdoctoral trainee will be funded by the VA Office of Academic Affairs Traumatic Brain Injury/Polytrauma Advanced Research Fellowship. The fellowship is two years with an optional third year. Dr. Herrold will work with the potential fellow to craft this application and the fellow’s own research project.
Requirements
- US Citizenship
- Highly motivated & Independent self-starter
- PhD in neuroscience, psychology, engineering, or related fields
- Proficiency in one or more of the following: task-based and resting state fMRI, DTI, T1-based structural analyses.
- Proficiency in linux-based shells and scripting languages. Preferred experience with python, MATLAB, SPM, FSL, Afni and freesurfer.
- Excellent technical skills/aptitude (troubleshooting software failures)
- Must be willing to travel between Edward Hines Jr., VA Hospital and Northwestern University’s Chicago Campus
Fellowship Expectations
- Work with mentor, Dr. Herrold, towards developing your own research questions that are complementary to the funded project
- Submit 1-2 first author papers
- Present research at an international scientific meeting, such as Society for Neuroscience, Society for Biological Psychiatry, Research Society on Alcoholism, or American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine.
- Collaborate on co-authored publications
- Obtain early career/training grant funding, subsequent fellowship, or junior faculty position at the end of the fellowship.
Role provides different training opportunities, depending on your career goals
- advance your own clinical research platform for early career grants
- advance skills as a clinical research manager
- establish collaborations as a team-based technical neuroscientist
Interested applicants please email Dr. Amy Herrold or call 312-978-1341.
Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States.