Behavioral Neuroscience Postdoctoral Research Fellow, BUSPH (22599929690805)

The Department of Environmental Health at the Boston University School of Public Health has a long history and national reputation of interdisciplinary research to address the health effects of environmental exposures in military veterans. A Behavioral Neuroscience Postdoctoral Research position is available to join a research team examining brain imaging outcomes of environmental exposures in veterans with Gulf War Illness. This postdoctoral position is supervised by Dr. Kimberly Sullivan.

Gulf War Illness (GWI) is a chronic multisymptom disorder that affects the central nervous system and immune system resulting in chronic neuroinflammation. Veterans with GWI have shown cognitive decrements, chronic pain, debilitating fatigue and gastrointestinal problems. Brain imaging studies have shown changes to the structural and microstructural white matter as well as cortical and hippocampal atrophy. However, little work to date has been done to validate and build on these prior studies in a larger longitudinal cohort of veterans. This study aims to compare, validate and further refine the pathobiology of WM microstructural pathways and crossing fibers in GWI. It also aims to compare longitudinal patterns of brain volumetric, microstructural and cerebral blood flow differences in GWI cases and healthy control veterans compared with neuropsychological and blood biomarkers. Finally, the last aim is to perform machine learning advanced analytic data reduction analyses on prior GWIC and BBRAIN consortia imaging, neuropsychological and blood biomarkers to predict GWI case status and symptom severity over time. There will also be an opportunity to work with other BBRAIN investigators on neurocognitive, brain imaging and blood biomarker studies related to military environmental exposures.

The Behavioral Neuroscience Postdoctoral Research Associate will participate in the following activities:

• Conduct primary epidemiologic analyses evaluating the relationship between brain imaging, blood biomarker and cognitive outcomes
• Apply statistical methods appropriate for analyzing case-control and environmental exposures
• Coordinate and communicate with members of research team
• Prepare manuscripts, grant proposals and present at conferences

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will participate in regular research group meetings that are comprised of faculty, researchers, and graduate students. This is structured as a two-year position.

Requirements:

• PhD/doctorate in Behavioral Neuroscience, environmental health or related field
• Demonstrable expertise in brain imaging and cognitive outcomes and statistical research using SAS and/or R
• Experience with statistical methods for environmental exposures and with case-cohort study designs
• Strong publication record

To Apply: Send CV and a letter describing your interests to: Kimberly Sullivan Ph.D. at [email protected] .

 Please indicate "Behavioral Neuroscience Postdoctoral Fellow" in subject line.

Please note all newly hired staff and faculty will need to be in compliance with Boston University’s COVID-19 Vaccination and Booster Requirement  within 30 days of date of hire. You must upload your vaccine documentation or request a medical or religious exemption (instructions ). For further information on the University’s response to COVID-19, please visit the COVID-19 Resources  site.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.