We are pleased to announce the call for a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, starting April 2023. This research is part of a larger five-year project (2022-2027), funded by a NIMH R01 research grant.
Background:
Expectant mothers are 2-3 times more likely to experience depression in low-resource environments and
their children are at enduring risk of developing mental health problems. However, whether, when, and
the extent to which early brain development contributes to this risk is unknown. Here, data will be
combined from six large cohorts with repeated child brain imaging assessments between 0 and 6 years
of age, to carefully map trajectories of brain regional growth and brain network integration in children
born to depressed mothers. This project will provide important insights into critical periods in brain
development for early manifestations of mental ill-health in children exposed to maternal depression.
Requirements for the position include:
• (approaching) completion of PhD degree in psychiatry, neuroimaging, psychology or related field
• applicants should be South African citizens or hold a valid student visa for South Africa
• strong record-keeping, organisational and academic writing skills
Although in-service training will be provided, previous experience in any of the following areas will be
advantageous: (1) brain segmentation, (2) early child development, (3) longitudinal data analysis.
Responsibilities of the Fellow include:
• harmonisation of clinical, demographic and neuroimaging data across six large cohorts
• advanced segmentation of child brain MRI scans under supervision of US collaborators
• taking the lead in writing and publication of scientific papers from the NIMH R01 project
The successful candidate will receive a Postdoctoral Fellowship of R325,000 per annum. Annual renewal
is dependent on condition of sufficient progress. Additional funding will be made available for conference
attendance and research visits to international collaborators. This position is suitable for a candidate
with the ambition to work towards an academic career in neuroscience.
To apply:
Please send a letter of motivation and an up-to-date curriculum vitae with referees in a single PDF file
before the 31st of March 2023 to: nynke.groenewold@uct.ac.za and jonathan.ipser@uct.ac.za, using the
subject heading: “R01 maternal depression: Application postdoctoral fellowship”.
Website: http://www.neuroscience.uct.ac.za/
Closing date: 31 March 2023