Positions

Cho Lab, Yale Child Study Center & Department of Psychiatry

The Cho Lab, directed by Dr. Youngsun Cho, is seeking a graduating or recently graduated college senior interested in pursuing graduate training in neuroscience, psychology, psychiatry, medicine, or a related field. This postgraduate associate position is based within the Yale Child Study Center and Department of Psychiatry and provides intensive training in human subjects research and neuroimaging.

Our research uses neuroimaging and behavioral methods to investigate the neural mechanisms underlying psychiatric illness and typical development. Current projects focus on cognition, motivation, and development in schizophrenia, psychotic spectrum disorders, adolescent depression, and healthy populations. Research methods include functional MRI (fMRI), behavioral paradigms, pharmacology, eye-tracking, and clinical assessment.

The postgraduate associate will work closely with Dr. Cho and other members of the research team, including faculty, associate research scientists, postdoctoral fellows, research assistants, and the lab manager. The position is designed to provide comprehensive training in clinical and translational neuroscience research.

Responsibilities and Training Opportunities

The successful candidate will receive individualized training and progressively gain independence in:

• Recruiting and screening research participants
• Confirming study eligibility and coordinating participant visits
• Conducting human subjects research sessions in adult and pediatric psychiatry
• Collecting behavioral, neuropsychological, eye-tracking, clinical, and neuroimaging data
• Performing structured clinical interviews and neuropsychological assessments
• Acquiring and organizing fMRI data using state-of-the-art neuroimaging protocols
• Learning neuroimaging preprocessing and data management techniques
• Utilizing Linux-based high-performance computing clusters at Yale
• Developing coding and data analysis skills in R and Bash
• Creating data visualizations and conducting statistical analyses
• Participating in weekly lab meetings focused on ongoing studies, participant management, and data analysis

Qualifications

This position is intended for individuals who have recently completed a bachelor's or master's degree. Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree are not eligible.

Ideal candidates will have:

• A strong interest in neuroscience, psychology, psychiatry, pediatrics, cognitive neuroscience, programming, or related mental health research
  
• A strong interest in furthering both research and clinical skills
  
• Interest in pursuing future graduate or professional training
  
• Excellent organizational and communication skills
  Strong attention to detail
  
• Initiative and the ability to work independently and collaboratively
  

Appointment Details

The appointment is for one year, with the possibility of renewal for a second year based on performance and funding availability.

Application Process:

Please submit the following materials:

• A letter of interest
• Curriculum vitae (CV)
  
• Academic transcript (unofficial copies accepted for initial review)
  
• Contact information for at least two references

Applications should be sent to BOTH:

• Dr. Youngsun Cho, youngsun.cho@yale.edu
• Nicole Santamauro, nicole.santamauro@yale.edu
  

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