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THE OPPORTUNITY/POSITION DESCRIPTION

This opportunity to join the Department of Pediatrics at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons at the rank of Associate Research Scientist is an exciting one. Columbia University Irving Medical Center, one of the nation's foremost academic health science centers. The Department of Pediatrics at Columbia University Irving Medical Center is the top in comparison with other pediatrics department in the NY region in NIH research funding. The Nurture Science Program at Columbia University, as it continues to expand nationally and emphasizes the importance of human connectedness, is currently in search of a Associate Research Scientist. The successful candidate will play a key role in acquiring advanced knowledge and technical expertise in analyzing the psychophysiological and biobehavioral dynamics of early emotional synchrony (ES) between mothers and infants. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research linking early parent-infant interactions to later socioemotional outcomes in children.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Acquire technical proficiency in conducting and analyzing mother-infant electrocardiogram (ECG) and electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings to measure physiological correlates of emotional synchrony (ES).
• Conduct qualitative interviews focusing on subjective experiences of mothers and infants, specifically targeting emotional bonding, maternal sensitivity, and emotional synchrony.
• Perform multimodal data integration, combining qualitative, quantitative, neurobiological, and behavioral data collected longitudinally.
• Apply advanced biostatistical methods to analyze longitudinal data related to mother-infant bonding and emotional development.
• Characterize biobehavioral and emotional correlates of emotional synchrony (ES) through analysis of 4-month survey data, video observations, and physiological measures from the COMBO Initiative.
• Lead the subset of the cohort that will undergo ECG/EEG recordings, body maps of subjective feelings, and semi-structured interviews.
• Contribute to the ongoing effort of linking early parent-infant emotional synchrony (ES) to later socioemotional functioning in children.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of experts in psychology, neuroscience, pediatrics, and advanced biostatistics.
• Provide training and supervision to undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral level trainees on emotional bonding, maternal sensitivity, and emotional synchrony.
• Manage study protocols and IRB-related tasks, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Support federal grant requirements through data-related tasks such as progress reports, study ramp-up activities, and study close-out tasks.

COMMITMENT OF DIVERSITY

Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and Educator. The University is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a diverse environment, and strongly encourages applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans.

Columbia University welcomes applications from individuals who may have had nontraditional career paths, or who may have taken time off for family reasons (e.g. children, caring for disabled or elderly family), or who have achieved excellence in careers outside of academia (e.g., in professional or industry service). The University is responsive to the needs of dual career couples and is committed to supporting the work-life balance of its faculty. We are interested in candidates who have a record of success advising and mentoring individuals from groups underrepresented in higher education and is particularly interested in candidates who have research interests in subjects that will contribute to the understanding of diversity and equal opportunity.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS

• Must have a doctorate degree (M.D. or Ph.D.)
• 2-3 years of postdoctoral training required
• Consistently strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and sustain effective working relationships with professionals in other disciplines.
• The ability to create a high-energy results-oriented work environment that encourages colleagues and staff to value each other's contributions.
• The ability to share and celebrate success with colleagues and staff.