Open Positions

Graduate Student

The Computational Cognitive Neuroscience & Psychiatry Lab is planning to recruit a Ph.D. student in the Fall 2020 cycle (to start Fall 2021) pending funding approval. Due to the uncertainty resulting from COVID-19, there is not yet a final word on the availability of funds for this position. This space will be updated in early October with an update. Qualified students can still contact Dr. Solway in the meantime with questions or concerns. Students may enter through either the CNS track in the Department of Psychology or the Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science. The work you do and your status in the lab will not be affected by which track you choose, but these programs have different training requirements outside of the lab, so consider your choice carefully. If you are not sure which track to pursue, contact Dr. Solway (asolway@umd.edu). Because the lab works in an interdisciplinary field, no candidate will have all of the skills necessary to complete the type of work we do upon joining the lab. The goal of graduate school is to learn how to do research and fill in these gaps. Nevertheless, some background is obviously necessary in order to succeed. Successful candidates will have experience with some subset of the following:

• Programming experiments and performing data analysis in R, Python, Matlab, JavaScript, and/or another programming language. Version control, e.g. with Subversion, Git, or similar.
• Modern cognitive/experimental and/or mathematical/computational approaches to psychology and cognitive neuroscience. Some exposure to ideas and methods in clinical psychology and psychiatry.
• Analysis of fMRI and/or EEG data with FSL, SPM, AFNI, EEGLAB, and/or another analysis package.
• Basic computer science/engineering math: calculus, linear algebra, probability theory, frequentist and Bayesian statistics, time-frequency analysis, basic machine learning techniques.

The list above is meant to be fairly general and should not discourage you from applying, but you should be highly motivated to fill in any gaps in knowledge during your time here. Candidates are expected to come from psychology, neuroscience, computer science, statistics, or other scientific and engineering disciplines. However, your exact undergraduate concentration/major doesn’t matter contingent on having had exposure to some of the above.

To apply, follow the instructions for the respective program, either through the Department of Psychology or the Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science. Be sure that your research statement addresses how your research interests, experience, and skill set are aligned with the lab’s research mission, as well as what your long term goals are and how you think being a graduate student in the respective program will help you achieve them.

In a future post-COVID19 world, note that The University of Maryland, College Park is located five miles from Washington, D.C. and is metro accessible, with access to world class museums, restaurants, and entertainment. We are close to three large international airports, have access to other destinations on the eastern seaboard and beyond via Amtrak, and are a short drive away from beautiful landscapes and mountains in rural Maryland and Virginia.

The University of Maryland, College Park, an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. UMD is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected status in all aspects of employment. UMD is actively engaged in recruiting, hiring, and promoting underrepresented communities; minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.

Please click here to learn more.