Postdoctoral Researcher in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience

Our group studies the intersection between social and environmental factors, brain development, and adolescent mental health and cognitive function with the ultimate aim of promoting equitable outcomes in young people. We are based at the IoPPN, King’s College London, a world-leading institute well-known for its close-knit community, collaborative atmosphere, and outstanding research support.

Lab Name: Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Lab
Supervisor Name: Dr. Divyangana Rakesh
Position Title: Postdoctoral Researcher in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience

Description:

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher with expertise in statistics (preferably longitudinal modelling) and an interest in developmental cognitive neuroscience or psychology to join the research team led by Dr. Divyangana Rakesh. The lab is seeking someone who is passionate about developmental cognitive neuroscience and enjoys analysing data and solving statistical problems to support a project funded by the MRC. The postdoctoral researcher will lead a research program focused on studying links between socioeconomic disadvantage, brain development, and cognitive and academic outcomes using big, openly available datasets, under the supervision of Dr. Rakesh.

This role will provide you with the freedom to develop new and creative ideas, methodologies, and/or approaches to challenging and societally important questions. In addition to leading the project, you will be supported in finding a research area that interests you, encouraged to develop a research programme of your own, and apply for independent funding. The postdoctoral researcher will also have teaching opportunities if this is of interest.

Selection Criteria:

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria:

1. 1. PhD in developmental cognitive neuroscience, psychology, psychiatry, or a related field.
   2. Strong track record of high-quality publications.
   3. Demonstrable (e.g., by publication record) experience in using programming and quantitative statistics (primarily in R).
   4. Experience or interest in developmental cognitive neuroscience, psychology, or neuroimaging.
   5. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, demonstrable through publications, media output, and conference presentations.
   6. Excellent time management skills and the ability to juggle multiple tasks at once (e.g., conducting analyses for one project while writing a different manuscript).
   7. Ability to work independently as well as within a team.

Desirable criteria:

1. 1. Experience supervising undergraduate or masters student projects.
   2. Background in developmental cognitive neuroscience and/or the study of environmental determinants of child brain and behaviour development.
   3. Experience with MATLAB, Python or similar modelling platforms.
   4. Experience with longitudinal modelling (latent growth analyses, linear mixed effects models, generalized additive mixed models).
   5. Experience using big datasets such as ABCD, Millenium Cohort Study.

Application Instructions:

To apply, please provide a cover letter, an updated curriculum vitae, and contact information for 3 references. Cover letters should directly address all essential (and desirable if possible) criteria and describe the following: 1) past research experience and contributions to science, 2) relevance of research experience for current position, and 3) career development plans. Please contact Dr. Divyangana Rakesh (divyangana.rakesh@kcl.ac.uk) with any enquiries. Job applications are to be submitted through the KCL job portal and can be found directly on the Kings Jobs website once open or through jobs.ac.uk.

Please email Dr Rakesh if you would like to apply and are unable to find the job advertisement/portal.

We will review your submission and reply with any questions.