POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW AND RA/LAB MANAGER POSITIONS
We're looking to hire two people to work on projects in the Brain and Language Lab and the Aging Brain and Cognition Lab at Georgetown.
Both positions will work primarily on our new NIH-funded R01 project investigating lexical processing in healthy aging and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI; a precursor to Alzheimer's disease), as well as on other cognitive neuroscience of aging projects.
The R01 project examines how the brain bases of language and memory, including the hippocampus and rhinal cortex, contribute to word finding and word comprehension difficulties in healthy aging and in aMCI, and whether impairments of these lexical abilities in healthy older adults can predict who will go on to develop aMCI and Alzheimer's disease. Our other cognitive neuroscience of aging projects examine a wide range of aspects of language and cognition, including math, navigation, bilingualism, proper name retrieval, and executive and inhibitory functions, as well as the roles of specific hippocampal subfields, using methods that include high-resolution structural and functional MRI and intracranial recording.
1. POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW
We're looking for someone with a PhD in hand (or with an imminent defense date) in cognitive neuroscience, neuroscience more broadly, cognitive psychology, psycholinguistics, or related fields. Experience with neuroimaging (in particular, structural/functional MRI), psycholinguistic or memory paradigms, and statistical modeling (e.g., mixed-effects or mediation models, with experience in R) would be a strong plus. Experience working with older adults or clinical populations is also valued. The postdoc will have the opportunity to take a leading role in analyses and publications, and to potentially develop their own related lines of research. The successful candidate should be well-organized, thorough, flexible, have good communication skills (open, honest), and should be easy to work with.
Start date: flexible, but ideally in late 2026 or early 2027. Appointment: 2 years, potentially extendable.
2. RESEARCH ASSISTANT / LAB MANAGER
This full-time position is ideal for someone with a bachelor's (or master's) degree in psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, cognitive science, or a related field who is interested in gaining substantial research experience, e.g., before graduate or medical school. Responsibilities include participant recruitment and testing (including older adults and individuals with aMCI), study coordination, data management, IRB support, and general lab management. Strong organizational and communication skills, as well as flexibility and thoroughness, are essential; experience with programming, data analysis, and testing human subjects is a plus.
Start date: flexible, but ideally in late 2026 or early 2027. Appointment: 2 years, potentially extendable.
To apply, candidates should email a CV, a brief cover letter describing their interests and relevant experience, and the names and contact information of three references to both Jana (jana.reifegerste@georgetown.edu) and Michael (michael@georgetown.edu), with "Postdoc" or "RA/Lab Manager" in the subject line. Post-undergrad or post-master's RA/Lab Manager applications should also include (unofficial) transcripts. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the positions are filled.
Georgetown University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.