UC Davis Neuroscience of Cognitive Aging Postdoctoral Training Program
The Alzheimer’s Disease Center in the Department of Neurology at the University of California Davis School of Medicine appoints three postdoctoral fellows to study the biological underpinnings of the aging brain as it relates to cognition across the spectrum of human brain aging. This 2-3 year fellowship is funded by the National Institute on Aging through its T32 research training program. The program synergizes an array of more than 30 highly respected neuroscience researchers, laboratories and center facilities, and educational resources available at UC Davis to train postdoctoral students for translational neuroscience research on cognitive aging. The next recruitment will be in Winter 2023.
This program offers candidates an opportunity to explore four focal points of cognitive aging:
- Cognitive systems in normal aging—Trainees interested in this area will collaborate with eminent scholars in pushing the frontiers of cognitive neuroscience research, while further elucidating the effects of normal aging on memory, attention, executive function, and spatial and language abilities.
- Brain structure and function associated with cognitive aging—With mentorship from experts in cognition, neuroimaging, and neuropathology, trainees will explore the neurophysiological and neuroanatomical changes present with advanced age with the aim of identifying points of intervention and developing treatment methods to preserve brain structure and functional connectivity in later life.
- Disease mechanisms of cognitive aging—This focus area will offer trainees the opportunity to study basic mechanisms of cognitive decline and the contributing effects posed by medical comorbidities prevalent in advanced age. In addition to studying the effects of age-related pathologies on cognition, trainees will have the opportunity to conduct research on the concept of cognitive resilience.
- Sociocontextual factors affecting cognitive aging—Trainees will aim to characterize the extent to which socio-cultural factors shape diet, exercise, social networks, hobbies, life philosophies, and neighborhood characteristics – all of which influence brain health, cognitive aging, and risk for cognitive impairment in later life.
Trainees accepted to the postdoctoral training program will work collaboratively with a team of 2-4 mentors to design, enhance, monitor and evaluate their research program and career development. Additionally, the program offers various didactic courses and activities (e.g., journal club, travel to scientific meetings, rotations, research design and statistics) to build a successful career path in academic or industry research.
Requirements
Ph.D. or M.D. /Ph.D. Ideal candidates will have a knowledge base in the fundamental principles of brain organization, function and development and exposure to the breadth of the neuroscience aging. The successful applicant will have strong academic credentials, well-developed problem solving skills, be able to stimulate new collaborations to advance scientific discovery, lead and mentor students and research assistants, as well as verbal and English written skills, and an aptitude for writing manuscripts and giving scientific presentations.
Postdoctoral applicants are required to identify and contact a faculty mentor who best fits their background and research interest. This person will help the applicant refine their research project and select additional mentors to the applicant’s mentorship team.
Fellowship awards will be based on a competitive application process. Important considerations will be academic qualifications, career goals, and the quality of the training proposal.
Application materials, as required below, should be submitted to Connie Koog (cdkoog@ucdavis.edu) in a PDF file.
- Postdoctoral application
- Applicant’s current CV
- Three letters of recommendation
- Proof of U. S. citizenship or legal admission to the U.S. as a permanent citizen at the time of application.
