Dr. Laura M. Morett’s Neuroscience of Education Research on Development (NERD) Lab in the College of Health Sciences – Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences at the University of Missouri – Columbia is seeking applicants for a full-time, 1-year, postdoctoral fellowship. The lab conducts research on the cognitive and neural bases of typical and disordered language processing and acquisition, focusing in particular on hand gesture. A variety of methods, including electroencephalography (EEG), functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), and eye-tracking are used to examine language and gesture across the lifespan in typical development and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with a focus on second language (L2) acquisition and processing. 

Qualified candidates will have a Ph.D. in speech, language, and hearing sciences or a related discipline (e.g., psychology, linguistics, neuroscience) and will have expertise in psycho- and/or neurolinguistics, as demonstrated via peer-reviewed conference presentations and publications in relevant venues. 

Candidates will be evaluated on their expertise in embodied cognition and L2 processing, experience with methods used in the lab (EEG, fNIRS, eye-tracking), and experience conducting research with individuals with ASD. Additionally, they will be evaluated on their experience with relevant data collection and analysis software (e.g., PsychoPy, R, Matlab), familiarity with contemporary statistical methods (e.g., linear mixed effect models) and track record of publishing with respect to both quantity and quality. 

Responsibilities will include data collection, data analysis, and writing of grant proposals, conference abstracts and presentations, and manuscripts. Supervision and mentorship of junior lab personnel in these skills will also be expected. The PI is fully committed to fostering the trainee's research independence through publication of first-authored manuscripts in top journals and mentorship in grant applications. In addition to assisting with the PI's proposals, the successful applicant will be highly encouraged to develop and pursue funding for their own research project through federal (e.g., NIH F32) or foundation grant programs by the end of their first year.  

The MU College of Health Sciences – CHS is the University of Missouri system’s only college of health sciences and the state’s only public health program located on a health sciences campus. Its mission is to improve the health and well-being of others. Every day, CHS faculty, staff, and students work towards changing lives through the integration of teaching, service and discovery. With programs in rehabilitation, diagnostic and imaging sciences, public health. and social work, graduates of the College of Health Sciences fill critical roles in health care. The school is comprised of seven departments and 13 disciplines, each with their own specialized accreditation processes. The school also hosts a satellite program of the University of Missouri-Kansas City College of Pharmacy. 

Interested candidates may submit their resume or CV, a cover letter/letter of Interest, and the names and contact information of three professional references to Laura M. Morett at lmorett@health.missouri.edu. 

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.