About UMass Amherst
The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued—and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world.
Job Summary
The Somneuro Lab, directed by Dr. Rebecca Spencer, at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is seeking a full-time post-doctoral scholar to contribute to research on sleep and memory across the lifespan. The lab investigates how sleep influences memory consolidation, cognitive function, and brain development or aging using behavioral assessments, EEG/polysomnography, and MRI. A portion of this postdoc’s time will be to conduct and NSF-funded study using targeted memory reactivation.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work on projects investigating the role of sleep in memory and cognition. They will have access to state-of-the-art equipment and sleep research facilities and will be encouraged to pursue independent research questions using the lab’s rich datasets as well as contribute to and author grants.
Essential Functions
- Conduct behavioral, EEG, MRI, and sleep physiology experiments in developmental and/or aging populations.
- Process and analyze neuroimaging and sleep data.
- Mentor and supervise graduate and undergraduate research assistants.
- Assist with study design, protocol development, and compliance.
- Contribute to manuscript preparation and conference presentations and provide grant proposal support.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- PhD in psychology, neuroscience, cognitive science, or a related field.
- Proficiency in statistical software (e.g., R, SPSS, Python, or MATLAB).
- A strong record of peer-reviewed publications.
- Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Experience collecting and analyzing EEG data.
- Experience managing research teams or assistants.
- Strong background in cognitive neuroscience or sleep research.
- Experience with longitudinal or interventional studies.
- Knowledge of advanced neuroimaging analysis techniques, particularly advanced analyses of EEG, signal processing expertise, and/or related analysis skills.
Work Schedule
- 40 hours per week.
- This position is fully on campus.
Salary Information
Salary is commensurate based on experience.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Along with the application, please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged. The start date is flexible, but an initial 18-month commitment is preferred, with the possibility of renewal based on performance and funding. Questions on the position can be addressed to Dr. Rebecca Spencer at rspencer@umass.edu.
At UMass Amherst and in CNS, we strive to be a community where every individual feels a sense of belonging, where every individual is included, and where every individual is valued. You can find these values and goals here (https://www.umass.edu/strategicplan/strategic-plan).
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