Postdoctoral Research Scholar –The Development of Prosociality in Young Children
The Department of Psychology at the University of Calgary (UofC) is looking for a Postdoctoral Research Scholar (PRS) to assist with a series of ongoing funded studies as part of a broader research program examining early determinants of child development and, more specifically, the etiology and longitudinal development of prosociality among young children. This project is led by: 1) Dr. Sheri Madigan, Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at UofC and Canada Research Chair in Determinants of Child Development, and member of the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute; and 2) Dr. Jennifer Jenkins is a Professor in Applied Psychology and Human Development at the University of Toronto, the Atkinson Chair of Early Child Development and Education at UofT, and the Director of Academic Programs at the Fraser Mustard Institute for Human Development (FMIHD) at UofT. Additional researchers on this project include Drs. Ella Daniel (Tel Aviv University), Andre Plamondon (Universite Laval), and Emis Akbari (Atkinson Centre for Society and Child Development at UofT).
The PDS will lead a series of studies on prosociality using multilevel statistical research to examine the complex associations between individual and environmental factors in the development of prosociality in young children. The PRS will be encouraged to develop his or her own substantive area of research using several available databases. Additional responsibilities include (but are not limited to) active contribution to the development of peer-reviewed publications related to the studies undertaken as part of the postdoctoral appointment, providing leadership on knowledge translation activities, actively seeking additional funding opportunities, and supervising junior research staff. The PRS will receive applied training related to meta-analysis, multilevel statistical methods, psychology research laboratory management, knowledge translation of clinical research into practice and policy, academic teaching, and multi-stakeholder collaboration with a range of investigators (psychologists, neuropsychologists, psychiatrists, geneticists, epidemiologists, and statisticians) and health service agencies. Additional training related to the dissemination of evidence-based child development and related family health prevention and promotion programs within the community will be made available in collaboration with Dr. Madigan and colleagues in the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, and the Hotchkiss Brain Institute. Interested candidates will also have the opportunity to participate in research activities across the range of projects comprising Drs. Madigan and Jenkins’ broader program of research.
This is a full-time (1.0 FTE), benefits-eligible, one-year appointment, with the potential to extend for a second year. The postdoctoral fellowship will take place in Calgary, but supported travel to Toronto/OISE will also take place. For additional information and policies regarding postdoctoral scholars at the University of Calgary, see http://www.ucalgary.ca/research/postdoc. Salary is commensurate with experience. Successful candidates will also receive an annual stipend of $5,000 to support research-related travel and training activities.
The Department of Psychology is a dynamic and expanding academic department engaged in a wide range of exciting research, educational, and community activities. In addition to being one of the most active teaching units within the university, the department maintains over 35 research laboratories, reflecting the range of faculty interests with the department. For additional information regarding the department’s activities, programs, and faculty, please see https://psych.ucalgary.ca/. The University of Calgary is located in Canada’s most enterprising city and is in a period of dynamic growth guided by the university’s clear strategic direction – Eyes High – to become one of the country’s top five research universities by 2016, grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the communities and services spanning the city of Calgary. As part of UofC’s strategy to become one of Canada’s top five research universities by 2016, UofC has invested $18M to provide enrichment to its PDF program. For more information on the Eyes High initiative at the University of Calgary, please see http://www.ucalgary.ca/eyeshigh/.
Qualifications: Qualified candidates must have a PhD or expect to receive a PhD in a relevant area of study in Psychology by the start of the appointment. Extensive knowledge of multivariate statistics (including SEM or HLM) is required. Applicants must also have experience conducting clinical or developmental psychology research related to child development, demonstrate strong scientific writing skills, possess advanced methodological skills in meta-analysis and statistics, and have a track record of scholarly activities including publication of research findings in reputable peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations. Candidates must be capable of starting the position no later than September 1, 2016.
Application Procedure: Application materials include:
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Statement of interest (limit two pages) summarizing your relevant experience, career goals, and description of how postdoc training will contribute to these goals
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Letters of reference (three referees) from individuals who are familiar with your scholarly work
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Writing sample (published or unpublished) that best exemplifies your scholarly work
Application materials should be sent by mail to Dr. Sheri Madigan, Department of Psychology, University of Calgary (Administration Building, Room AD255, 539 Campus Place N.W., Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4), or by email to ac.yraglacu|nagidam.irehs#ac.yraglacu|nagidam.irehs. Initial review of applications will begin on April 1st, 2016, and the position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found. Contact ac.yraglacu|nagidam.irehs#ac.yraglacu|nagidam.irehs and/or ac.otnorotu|sniknej.ynnej#ac.otnorotu|sniknej.ynnej if you have any questions.
