Postdoctoral Fellow-MSH-13400-371

Mount Sinai; New York (NY); On-site; USD 73,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Mount Sinai Health System in New York seeks a research-focused scientist to study the neurobiological and cognitive effects of surgically induced menopause using multimodal neuroimaging. The project aims to identify imaging and multidomain biomarkers of risk, resilience, and adaptation in brain health for women.

The role involves developing reproducible MRI preprocessing workflows, analyzing structural MRI data, and integrating imaging with cognitive, hormonal, and biomarker data.

Qualifications

• PhD, MD/PhD, or equivalent doctoral degree in neuroscience, biomedical engineering, computer science, biostatistics, epidemiology, neuroimaging, biomedical data science, or a closely related field.
• Strong background in human neuroimaging is required.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent quantitative analyses.
• Experience with statistical programming in R, Python, MATLAB, or equivalent.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research team.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Commitment to rigorous, ethical, and reproducible research.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement reproducible workflows for neuroimaging data preprocessing, quality control, analysis, and documentation.
• Process and analyse structural MRI and other available neuroimaging modalities.
• Generate imaging-derived measures relevant to brain structure, function, ageing, neurodegeneration, and hormone-related brain changes.
• Conduct rigorous quality control of imaging data, including visual inspection, automated QC metrics, motion assessment, artefact detection
• Integrate neuroimaging measures with cognitive, clinical, hormonal, demographic, treatment-related, and biomarker data.
• Apply appropriate statistical models for longitudinal and cross-sectional analyses
• Support data harmonisation, data dictionaries, code documentation, version control, and reproducible research practices.
• Prepare figures, tables, analytic summaries, abstracts, manuscripts, and grant-related materials.
• Work closely with investigators, coordinators, imaging personnel, statisticians, and collaborators to ensure timely completion of project milestones.
• Support IRB-compliant data handling.
• Contribute to meetings, presentations, manuscript preparation, and dissemination of research findings.

Skills

Neuroimaging analysis

Statistical programming (Python/R/MAT

Independent quantitative analyses

Communication skills

Education

PhD, MD/PhD or equivalent

Tools

Python

R

MATLAB

Job description

Description

Job Description

Department: Psychiatry

Physical work location: 1255 Fifth Avenue, Suite C1,New York, NY 10029

Name PI or Supervisor: Dr. Natalie Rasgon

Web link to Lab: n/a

Web link to Department: https://icahn.mssm.edu/about/departments-offices/psychiatry

Administrative Contact: (phone and email): Abigail Polanco

Responsibilities

This project examines the neurobiological and cognitive consequences of surgically induced menopause. Surgically induced menopause provides a clinically important model of abrupt ovarian hormone deprivation and offers a unique opportunity to study how rapid changes in reproductive endocrine status affect brain structure, function, metabolism, cognition, mood, and risk‑related biomarkers. The project will use multimodal neuroimaging together with cognitive, clinical, hormonal, and biological measures to characterize brain and behavioral changes following surgical menopause. The broader aim is to identify neural and multidomain biomarkers that may clarify mechanisms of risk and resilience and inform future strategies for early identification, prevention, and intervention in women’s brain health.

Technical Duties: (include any protocols)

Duties

• Develop and implement reproducible workflows for neuroimaging data preprocessing, quality control, analysis, and documentation.
• Process and analyse structural MRI and other available neuroimaging modalities,
• Generate imaging‑derived measures relevant to brain structure, function, ageing, neurodegeneration, and hormone‑related brain changes.
• Conduct rigorous quality control of imaging data, including visual inspection, automated QC metrics, motion assessment, artefact detection
• Integrate neuroimaging measures with cognitive, clinical, hormonal, demographic, treatment‑related, and biomarker data.
• Apply appropriate statistical models for longitudinal and cross‑sectional analyses
• Support data harmonisation, data dictionaries, code documentation, version control, and reproducible research practices.
• Prepare figures, tables, analytic summaries, abstracts, manuscripts, and grant‑related materials.
• Work closely with investigators, coordinators, imaging personnel, statisticians, and collaborators to ensure timely completion of project milestones.
• Support IRB‑compliant data handling.
• Contribute to meetings, presentations, manuscript preparation, and dissemination of research findings.

Qualifications

Educational and other Requirements for the position:

• PhD, MD/PhD, or equivalent doctoral degree in neuroscience, biomedical engineering, computer science, biostatistics, epidemiology, neuroimaging, biomedical data science, or a closely related field.
• Strong background in human neuroimaging is required.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent quantitative analyses.
• Experience with statistical programming in R, Python, MATLAB, or equivalent.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research team.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Commitment to rigorous, ethical, and reproducible research.

Experience Required

Essential experience

• Experience with human neuroimaging data analysis.
• Experience with MRI preprocessing, quality control, and imaging‑derived measures.
• Experience with statistical analysis of biomedical, cognitive, clinical, or behavioural data.
• Proficiency in at least one major programming or statistical environment, such as Python, R, MATLAB, or similar.
• Experience preparing scientific manuscripts, abstracts, reports, or presentations.

Preferred Experience

• Experience with longitudinal data analysis.
• Experience with women?s brain health, reproductive psychiatry, menopause, neuroendocrinology, ageing, Alzheimer?s disease risk, or related areas.

Goals/Outcomes Of The Research Project

The goals of the project are to define the neurobiological and cognitive effects of surgically induced menopause and to identify imaging and multidomain biomarkers associated with risk, resilience, and adaptation following abrupt ovarian hormone deprivation. Expected outcomes include the development of high‑quality neuroimaging and multidomain analytic datasets, reproducible processing and analysis workflows, peer‑reviewed manuscripts, conference presentations, and grant‑related outputs.

SPOC‑UAW Local 4100 at Icahn School of Medicine (Post Docs), 859 - Psychiatry - ISM, Icahn School of Medicine

Strength through Unity and Inclusion

The Mount Sinai Health System is committed to fostering an environment where everyone can contribute to excellence. We share a common dedication to delivering outstanding patient care. When you join us, you become part of Mount Sinai’s unparalleled legacy of achievement, education, and innovation as we work together to transform healthcare. We encourage all team members to actively participate in creating a culture that ensures fair access to opportunities, promotes inclusive practices, and supports the success of every individual.

At Mount Sinai, our leaders are committed to fostering a workplace where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to grow. We strive to create an environment where collaboration, fairness, and continuous learning drive positive change, improving the well‑being of our staff, patients, and organization. Our leaders are expected to challenge outdated practices, promote a culture of respect, and work toward meaningful improvements that enhance patient care and workplace experiences. We are dedicated to building a supportive and welcoming environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and advance professionally. Explore this opportunity and be part of the next chapter in our history.

About The Mount Sinai Health System

Mount Sinai Health System is one of the largest academic medical systems in the New York metro area, with more than 48,000 employees working across eight hospitals, more than 400 outpatient practices, more than 300 labs, a school of nursing, and a leading school of medicine and graduate education. Mount Sinai advances health for all people, everywhere, by taking on the most complex health care challenges of our time — discovering and applying new scientific learning and knowledge; developing safer, more effective treatments; educating the next generation of medical leaders and innovators; and supporting local communities by delivering high‑quality care to all who need it. Through the integration of its hospitals, labs, and schools, Mount Sinai offers comprehensive health care solutions from birth through geriatrics, leveraging innovative approaches such as artificial intelligence and informatics while keeping patients’ medical and emotional needs at the center of all treatment. The Health System includes more than 9,000 primary and specialty care physicians; 13 joint‑venture outpatient surgery centers throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and Florida; and more than 30 affiliated community health centers. We are consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report's Best Hospitals, receiving high "Honor Roll" status, and are highly ranked: No. 1 in Geriatrics, top 5 in Cardiology/Heart Surgery, and top 20 in Diabetes/Endocrinology, Gastroenterology/GI Surgery, Neurology/Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, Pulmonology/Lung Surgery, Rehabilitation, and Urology. New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai is ranked No. 12 in Ophthalmology. U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Children’s Hospitals” ranks Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital among the country’s best in several pediatric specialties. The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is ranked No. 11 nationwide in National Institutes of Health funding and in the 99th percentile in research dollars per investigator according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. Newsweek’s "The World’s Best Smart Hospitals" ranks The Mount Sinai Hospital as No. 1 in New York and in the top five globally, and Mount Sinai Morningside in the top 20 globally.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Mount Sinai Health System is an equal opportunity employer, complying with all applicable federal civil rights laws. We do not discriminate, exclude, or treat individuals differently based on race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are deeply committed to fostering an environment where all faculty, staff, students, trainees, patients, visitors, and the communities we serve feel respected and supported. Our goal is to create a healthcare and learning institution that actively works to remove barriers, address challenges, and promote fairness in all aspects of our organization.

Compensation

The Mount Sinai Health System (MSHS) provides salary ranges that comply with the New York City Law on Salary Transparency in Job Advertisements. The salary range for the role is $72500 - $80000 Annually. Actual salaries depend on a variety of factors, including experience, education, and operational need. The salary range or contractual rate listed does not include bonuses/incentive, differential pay or other forms of compensation or benefits.