Yale Fellowship in Developmental Psychopathology and Social Neuroscience
The Yale Autism Center of Excellence (ACE) and Yale Social and Affective Neuroscience of Autism Program (SANA) will select one or more highly qualified college graduates for research fellowship positions at the Yale Child Study Center (CSC). The Yale CSC is a leading institution for clinical diagnostic services and multidisciplinary research on ASD involving behavioral neuroscience, physiology, neuroimaging, molecular genetics, and early intervention. Through extensive interdepartmental collaborations, the SANA Program brings together experts in developmental psychopathology, experimental psychology, eye-tracking, and psychophysiology as well as statistics, neuroimaging, and computational science. The program is led by Dr. Kasia Chawarska and co-directed by Drs. Suzanne Macari, Kelly Powell, and Angelina Vernetti. For more information and a list of recent publications, visit the lab website: https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/chawarska/
The position is one year in duration with a salary of $39,480.00. Postgraduate positions are open to those who will have received a bachelor and/or master’s degree before beginning the position, but not doctoral degrees. Reappointment to a second year may be possible and will be determined 4-6 months prior to the end date. Anticipated start date is July 2024. This is not a remote opportunity. This position is located at the Child Study Center on the campus of Yale University in New Haven, CT.
Our Developmental Psychopathology and Social Neuroscience Fellowship position will support the implementation of research protocols focused on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disorders. Research Fellows have opportunities to be involved in aspects of each study ranging from implementation of novel behavioral, eye-tracking, psychophysiological, and neuroimaging (fNIRS) experiments, to participating directly in subject characterization by conducting structured parent interviews and assessing participants, to data processing and analysis. Fellows will receive training in administration of novel behavioral paradigms, eye-tracking, and psychophysiological sensing technologies. The Fellow will be responsible for conducting experimental procedures with infants and children with and without ASD, including behavioral, eye-tracking, electrophysiological, and neuroimaging studies, as well as recruiting and scheduling participants and assisting with their clinical assessment. In addition, the Fellow will be responsible for data entry and data quality checks, will contribute to data analysis and data visualization procedures, and may assist in grant and manuscript preparation. The Fellow will also be responsible for maintaining hardware and software of behavioral, eye-tracking and electrophysiology labs, and for data backup and data management. Applicants who have prior experience in research with clinical populations and/or with infants and young children and their families, experience with design and/or implementation of behavioral, eye-tracking, and/or psychophysiological studies, as well as a strong background in statistical methods, will be reviewed favorably.
Mentorship
The Postgraduate Associate will be directly mentored by Drs. Chawarska, Macari, Powell, and Vernetti, and will be involved in a highly active and productive community of clinical research scientists. With research mentorship, the selected applicant will be expected to guide a research project from the point of data collection through analysis and abstract and/or manuscript submission.
Training
The Postgraduate Associate will also assist in a variety of scientific activities in the lab, including assisting in the preparation of manuscripts and conference presentations, and providing general assistance relevant to the functioning of the lab. The Fellowship’s curriculum also includes participation in weekly research meetings, research tutorials and courses, and other didactic experiences at the Yale Child Study Center, School of Medicine and Departments of Psychology and Statistics.
Education/Experience
BA or BS required. Applicants who have prior experience in research with clinical populations and/or with infants and young children and their families, experience with design and/or implementation of behavioral, eye-tracking, and/or psychophysiological studies, as well as a strong background in statistical methods, will be reviewed favorably. Applicants must be proficient in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Priority will be given to those who have experience with database management systems such as Microsoft Access and statistical packages such as R, SPSS, or SAS.
Application Process
Application Deadline: January 24, 2024, 11:59 pm EST
Application must include the following items, and be sent as a single document, preferably in pdf format, to sanalab@yale.edu:
- A completed application cover page (below) – all sections are required.
- A CV
- Copies of undergraduate and graduate (if applicable) unofficial transcripts.
- A 2-page personal statement containing biographic material, relevant experience, and career goals - can be single or double spaced
In addition:
Two letters of recommendation that speak directly to the candidate’s potential. Recommendation letters must be emailed to sanalab@yale.edu directly from the recommender.
Applications are requested by January 24, 2024. Review of applications will begin once all applications are received. Please note that the university has a COVID vaccination and booster requirement for all students, staff & faculty which is described in the COVID-19 Vaccine Program. You are required to comply with the Vaccine Program prior to the first day of your Yale appointment. Should you not be eligible for the Booster at this time, you will be required to receive your booster within seven (7) days of your eligibility. Please see the Yale COVID-19 Vaccine Program for information on how to schedule a vaccination and/or how to Submit or Confirm your vaccination documentation. For up-to-date university information on COVID-19, please visit: https://covid19.yale.edu/. Yale University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer. Yale values diversity among its students, staff, and faculty and strongly welcomes applications from women, persons with disabilities, protected veterans, and underrepresented minorities.
Additional information: https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/chawarska/media-player/chawarska-sana-program-post-baccalaureate-training-in-the-chawarska-lab/
Yale University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer. Yale values diversity among its students, staff, and faculty and strongly welcomes applications from women, persons with disabilities, protected veterans, and underrepresented minorities.