Postdoctoral Fellow Computational Neuropsychology & Simulation (CNS) Lab

The Computational Neuropsychology & Simulation (CNS) Lab and Dr. Thomas D. Parsons, PhD invites applications for a postdoctoral fellow focused on research in social neuroscience, computer science, clinical education, simulation science, and immersive technologies. The Postdoctoral Researcher will design, organize, and conduct specialized and advanced research projects in simulation science and learning technologies. The CNS’s ongoing projects focus on virtual humans and advancing simulation science-based theories and concepts in social and clinical education. Interests in extended reality (virtual reality, augmented reality), wearable sensors (EDA, ECG, EEG, fNIRS) as well as psychological science are highly valued for this position. Established immersive technologies will be used along with scientific protocols and procedures. Responsibilities will include designing new protocols, summarizing findings, publishing results in research journals; and applying for internal and external funding opportunities. The CNS lab has funded projects using virtual humans (e.g., conversational agents, virtual standardized patients) and virtual reality environments. The lab was recently awarded (Parsons is PI) a $5.2 million dollar grant “Virtual Insomnia Patients (VIPs) to Automate and Accelerate Dissemination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I).” Dr. Parsons is also Co-I on a recently funded NIH award for a $5.8 million dollar “Roybal Center for Older Adults Living Alone with Cognitive Decline: Testing Technology-Enabled Interventions Driven by Mechanisms of Behavior Change to Prevent AD/ADRD and Improve Quality of Life.”

The CNS lab is an interdisciplinary lab at Arizona State University (ASU) that includes Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation; the School of Arts, Media and Engineering; and Human Systems Engineering. The CNS lab is part of a vibrant and varied research, education, and practice community at ASU, which was named this year by U.S. News and World Report for the eighth year in a row as #1 in Innovation among all universities in the United States. The CNS lab offers a rich interprofessional research, mentoring, and teaching environment with unique and growing transdisciplinary programs and several centers that encompass education in social science, health equity; health promotion and disease prevention; mindfulness, compassion, and resilience; and healthy and resilient aging. The CNS lab is housed in Edson College where faculty collaborate across professions, other colleges, and universities and have current or recent funding from NIH, PCORI, the National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education, HRSA, Department of Defense, the Veterans Administration, the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation, and several other local, regional, and national organizations. The CNS lab also collaborates with a wide-ranging group of community and healthcare organizations to improve the economic, social, and cultural health and vitality of shared local, state, national, and global communities. Examples of these organizations include Mayo Clinic (satellite CNS Lab), Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Banner Health, Dignity Health, HonorHealth, and the Phoenix VA Health Care System.

About Arizona State University

ASU is a large, comprehensive, research university and for nearly two decades, has transformed into the “New American University,” one dedicated to the simultaneous pursuit of excellence, broad access to quality education, and meaningful societal impact. By our Charter and Design Aspirations, we center inclusion and success as values that drive the enterprise; adopt inter- and transdisciplinary approaches to teaching and learning as ways to address society’s greatest challenges; and develop innovative partnerships to produce master learners across the lifespan. To learn more about ASU, visit http://www.asu.edu.

Examples of Duties

Design and implement research protocols for simulation and immersive technology (i.e., virtual humans; virtual reality; augmented reality) projects, with a focus on evaluation and assessment of current and proposed education programs.
Collect, prepare, and analyze research data; maintain a computer database of research data; tabulate and display data for presentation in research conferences and for manuscript preparation; use graphics and statistical software to analyze and present data.
There is a strong emphasis upon journal publications and grant proposals.
Actively participate in ongoing interdisciplinary projects in the Computational Neuropsychology & Simulation (CNS) Lab
Collaborate with Grace Center Professor for Innovation in Clinical Education, Simulation Science, & Immersive Technology Professor (Dr. Thomas Parsons) and other interprofessional scholars on efforts for clinical science research; participate in the training of colleagues and students as needed.
Identify, execute, and submit novel technology-related proposals for internal and external funding
Search and review pertinent scientific literature as needed.

Expectations

Create and implement a n Individual Development Plan (IDP) in collaboration with Dr. Parsons, complete with goals, expectations, and related timelines.
Participate in scheduled reviews to evaluate IDP progress including career development, career planning, and career readiness for a future tenure-track faculty position.

Qualifications and Characteristics

Minimum Qualifications.

Doctorate in clinical, behavioral, social, sciences (e.g., psychology, allied health professions) or computational science (e.g., computer science; physics; data science; technical art) from an accredited university at the time of appointment.
Candidates must be within five years from receipt of their doctoral degree.
Experience with a statistical software package (e.g., SAS; Statistica; R; SPSS; Matlab).

Desired Qualifications

Evidence of effective communication skills through teaching or professional presentation experience and/or professional publications.
Prior extended reality (e.g., virtual reality; augmented reality) research experience through involvement in research projects.
Prior game engine (e.g., Unreal; Unity) experience.
Prior Natural Language Processing experience.
Prior psychophysiology (e.g., EDA, ECG, EEG) research experience through involvement in research projects.
Experience with quantitative methods and data analysis

This position is located at the Arizona State University at the Downtown Phoenix campus. This postdoctoral fellowship position is a fiscal-year, term-limited 1-year position, which may be renewable for a second year, contingent upon the fellow’s successful progress as outlined in their IDP.

Applications and Inquiries

Applications can be submitted online via http://apply.interfolio.com/156567. Application materials should include a curriculum vitae; a letter of interest regarding the CNS Lab and describing how you meet the qualifications noted above; and contact information for 3 references including email addresses. Review of applications begins 10/18/2024. Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis for a reserve pool. Applications in the reserve pool may then be reviewed in the order in which they were received until the position is filled. Early applications are encouraged.

Inquiries can be directed to the Director of the CNS Lab—Thomas D. Parsons, PhD (Thomas.Parsons@ASU.edu), Grace Center Professor for Innovation in Clinical Education, Simulation Science, & Immersive Technology.

A background check is required for employment. Arizona State University is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

(See https://www.asu.edu/aad/manuals/acd/acd401.html and https://www.asu.edu/titleIX/.)

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