Post-Doctoral Associate in the Division of Science [Psychology] - Dr. Bas Rokers

Westfield State University; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Join the Rokers Vision Lab at NYU Abu Dhabi as a postdoctoral associate, focusing on groundbreaking research in sensory neuroscience. You will engage in both visual disorder-related projects and neuroimaging studies, collaborating with top experts and utilizing advanced methodologies in a supportive environment. This role offers competitive compensation, housing support, and a chance to contribute significantly to regional health initiatives.

Benefits

Housing subsidies

Educational subsidies for children

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of sensory neuroscience and imaging.
• Experience with OCT-A, structural MRI, fMRI, dMRI, or ASL is essential.
• Demonstrated leadership in imaging research and publications.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on visual disorders and health outcomes related to neurological issues.
• Integrate multimodal neuroimaging data to predict health outcomes.
• Work with a multidisciplinary team to enhance research capabilities.

Skills

Sensory neuroscience

Imaging methodologies

Leadership in imaging studies

Education

PhD in neuroscience or related field

Tools

OCT-A

Structural MRI

fMRI

dMRI

ASL

Job description

The Rokers Vision Lab at the Division of Science at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) seeks to recruit postdoctoral associates for two projects, reporting to Professor Bas Rokers.

Projects:

1. Linking Retinal, Neural, and Perceptual Deficits in Visual Disorder:

Individuals in the UAE are at substantial risk for perceptual deficits due to high diabetes rates. About 10% of diabetic patients suffer severe vision loss, and 2% are completely blind 15 years post-diagnosis. Understanding how diabetes leads to visual deficits is regionally relevant.

Diabetic vision loss is not fully explained by retinal damage alone; microstructural damage in the brain may also contribute. Early risk prediction and intervention can mitigate vision loss. This project aims to identify biomarkers in the eye and brain that explain vision loss, building on our previous work linking clinical, neural, and behavioral data (Allen et al., 2018; Miller et al., 2019; Pedersini et al., 2023). We combine ophthalmological, neuroimaging, and behavioral data, incorporating deep learning methods for biomarker discovery and predictive modeling. The postdoctoral associate will join a multidisciplinary team including experts at NYUAD and Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi in vision science, neuro-imaging, neuro-ophthalmology, and deep learning.

Using Advanced Imaging-derived Biomarkers to Predict Health Outcomes:

Neurological problems like stroke are linked to obesity, diabetes, MS, and cardiovascular disease, which are prevalent in the UAE. Identifying early predictors and mitigating risk is crucial. The UAE Healthy Future Study (UAE-HFS), a cohort of 20,000 UAE nationals aged 18-40, aims to understand how lifestyle, environment, and genetics affect health. This project focuses on integrating multimodal neuroimaging data (fMRI, diffusion imaging, etc.) to develop a phenotypic fingerprint for early prediction of adverse neurological events. The project involves recruiting healthy controls and patients through collaborations with Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. The approach is inspired by studies like the UK Biobank and Human Connectome Project but tailored to the local population.

The positions are funded for two years with potential renewal. Candidates should have strong knowledge of sensory neuroscience and experience with imaging methodologies such as OCT-A, structural MRI, fMRI, dMRI, or ASL. Demonstrated leadership in imaging studies and publications in scientific journals are preferred. The successful candidates will work within a multidisciplinary environment with access to world-class infrastructure, including PhD-level scientists, graduate, and undergraduate students.

The employment package is highly competitive, including housing and educational subsidies for children. Applications are accepted immediately, and candidates will be considered until positions are filled. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact the PI informally with questions. To apply, submit a cover letter, CV, research statement, availability, and contact information for at least two references to Professor Bas Rokers at [e-mail].

About NYUAD:

NYU Abu Dhabi is a research university with a liberal arts and sciences undergraduate program. It is part of the global NYU network, fostering international academic collaboration. NYUAD serves as a hub for scholarly thought, research, and knowledge creation in the Arab world and beyond.

EOE/AA/Minorities/Females/Vet/Disabled/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Employer

UAE Nationals are encouraged to apply.