Characterizing the contributions of hot and cool inhibitory control to post-traumatic stress disorder in post-9/11 Veterans
Objectives: 1) Comprehensively characterize the nature of hot (emotional) and cool inhibitory control dysfunction in PTSD. 2) Examine the neural mechanisms of inhibitory control deficits in PTSD using task-based fMRI. 3) Examine the relationship between inhibitory control and PTSD symptoms in everyday
life using ecological momentary assessment (EMA).
Description: The post-doctoral researcher will be involved in all aspects of a newly funded 4-year VA grant to use novel attention tasks, fMRI, and ecological momentary assessment to uncover cognitive and neurobiological mechanisms of posttraumatic stress disorder and related disorders in Veterans. The position will involve data analysis, manuscript preparation, and presenting findings. The position will provide an excellent opportunity for development of an independent clinical neuroscience research program, including access to EEG, TMS, and fMRI facilities, as well as mentorship and opportunities in grant writing. The post-doc will be part of the National Center for PTSD (https://www.ptsd.va.gov/about/divisions/behavioral/index.asp), the Boston Attention and Learning Lab (https://www.bu.edu/ballab/index.html), and the Neuroimaging Research for Veterans (NeRVe) Center (https://vaimaging.com/), representing a collaborative research environment of clinical psychologists, cognitive neuroscientists, and biomedical engineers. This position will be in-person, based at VA Boston Healthcare System in Jamaica Plain.
Background required: Ph.D. in experimental or clinical psychology, cognitive neuroscience, neuroscience, biomedical engineering, computer science or related field.
Skills required: Experience with programming and fMRI required.
Citizenship: Must be a United States citizen.
Start date: We are looking for someone who can start in the spring/summer of 2024 and commit to two years.
Salary: $64,251 plus full benefits
Deadline for Applications: June 1, 2024
If interested, please contact Dr. Joe DeGutis () and Dr. Michael Esterman ().