Postdoctoral Positions
Positions: The Research Imaging Institute (RII), Human Performance Division, at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, has 2 openings for postdoctoral positions. The positions are part of different NIH grants one focusing on sensory mechanism of voice control and the other on re-organization of the brain following treatment for stuttering. The ideal candidate will have a background in structural and functional imaging and a strong interest in integration of behavioral and imaging data to understand how the human brain is organized. The primary imaging modalities used in the Division include positron emission tomography (PET), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), fMRI, and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).
Position 1, Sensory Control of the Voice: This grant uses a unique paradigm in which subjects listen to their own voice why say “ah.” An unexpected perturbation is then applied (the pitch of the voice is shifted up or down) and we record acoustic and electromyographic responses to the perturbation. In this grant MRI and fMRI will be acquired to quantify the neural systems involved in the pitch shift response. Next subject will receive single pulse TMS to specific regions of the pitch shift neural system to determine the role of a given region in the response and to ascertain the timing of the neural responses. Finally, TMS-PET will be obtained to map inter-regional connectivity. This grant involves collaboration with Northwestern University and the University of Iowa where intercranial recordings during pitch shift will be obtained from patients undergoing neurosurgery. It is anticipated that all sites will have a strong interaction.
Position 2, Treatment of Stuttering: This grant involves the study of the neural systems of people who stutter and assessing how the brain changes with fluency inducing treatment. The study involves PET imaging at various times before and after treatment to assess long-term changes in the brain associated with treatment of stuttering. It is also the case that this grant involves the use of high-resolution MRI data to determine anatomical correlates of stuttering (e.g., DTI).
Qualifications: Applicants should have a PhD or MD/PhD in related fields. We seek expertise in fMRI, diffusion MRI, physiological MRI (blood flow, blood volume, etc), PET, and/or TMS. As a general rule, post-doctoral fellows are expected to work beyond the projects on which they are assigned and use data to develop new paradigms or analysis methods for imaging data. Thus, interaction with the entire group at the RII is required.
About RII: Our research interests broadly encompass: 1) development of innovative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), optical/speckle imaging, PET technologies, and TMS technologies 2) applications of imaging technologies to study anatomy, metabolism, physiology and function in brains of humans and in particular the study of human behavior in relation to brain function. Our research group is highly interdisciplinary with expertise in MRI physics, engineering, physiology, neuroscience, human performance and image processing. Each of the above position will involve collaboration with faculty from other universities who are part of the supporting grants (Dr. Chuck Larson from Northwestern and Dr. Roger Ingham from University of California, Santa Barbera).
Please email CV, contacts of three references to:
Donald A. Robin, Ph.D. Chief, Human Performance Division
Assistant Director for Education Professor, Research Imaging Institute, Departments of Neurology and Radiology
E-mail: ric@uthscsa.edu Website: http://ric.uthscsa.edu/
All Postdoctoral appointments are designated as security sensitive positions.
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.