Postdoctoral Research Scientist - WMH

Two postdoctoral research positions are available in the newly established Center for the Transition to Parenthood: Two Generation Impact, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Postdocs will conduct (1) developmental neuroscience studies in the perinatal period focused on either generation, specifically, the prenatal influences on children’s brain-behavior development or brain-behavior changes in parents-to-be or (2) implementation research aiming to improve the perinatal care ecosystem to promote maternal and family well-being. The postdocs will have access to available study data from the laboratory of Dr. Catherine Monk and Electronic Health Record data from the Women’s Mental Health @Ob/Gyn clinical service , though a primary focus is supporting the postdocs in developing their own line of research, which typically culminates in a NIH Career Development Award, or other substantial independent funding. Affiliated faculty from Psychiatry, Pediatrics, Neurology, Public Health, Basic Sciences, and Obstetrics are available for co-mentoring (e.g., MRI, epigenetics, mitochondrial biology, gestational and placenta biology, genome sequencing, biostatistics, behavioral and neuroendocrinology, implementation science, data registries). There also is the potential for short-term, visiting scholar experiences abroad and on-site training in community-centered, health equity, and anti-racism research through a NIH U54 Maternal Health Research Center of Excellence grant, for which Dr. Monk serves as a training core PI. The Center, recently funded by the Bezos Family Foundation , is a research-to-practice initiative with a mission to generate and translate Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) and parenting research into universally accessible prevention strategies that can transform the prenatal ecosystem towards whole-person, equitable prenatal care for two generation impact (The transition to parenthood in obstetrics: enhancing prenatal care for 2-generation impact. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology MFM, 4(5), 100678). This appointment is for one to three years depending on satisfactory progress.

Applicants should apply online and submit a CV, a one to three pages cover letter describing research interests and aims for the postdoctoral training period and beyond, and three references letters. This position is subject to the University's background check policy. Applications are open to US citizens, permanent residents, and non-residents eligible for appropriate work or exchange visas.

Application Closes – April 19, 2024

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is dedicated to the goal of building a multicultural faculty and staff committed to teaching, working and serving in a diverse community, and strongly encourages applications from candidates of traditionally underrepresented backgrounds.

We are continuously seeking to recruit individuals who will enhance the diversity of our workplace and the effectiveness of our organization.

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualification, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.