JOB DESCRIPTION

We are seeking a well-trained postdoctoral scientist who is motivated to develop and a

and apply expertise in neuroimaging-informed biotype trials for precision medicine in depression. Especially sought are candidates with expertise in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), with a particular interest in using brain circuit biotypes to guide personalized treatment for depression and co-occurring anxiety, and trauma-related disorders.  

​

The candidate will work on a priority research study, in which individuals are assessed with functional MRI, behavioral, and symptom measures before, during, and after treatment. Treatment includes selectively targeted pharmacotherapy, rapid-acting therapeutics, and neuromodulation approaches, including guanfacine (ACE-D), pramipexole (SPARCLE), MDMA-assisted cognitive processing therapy (MDMAP), and TMS (B-SMART-f/TMS fMRI). The candidate will also have opportunities to collaborate across the lab’s broader biotype-focused precision psychiatry research portfolio, leveraging harmonized legacy dataset, including iSPOT-D, ENGAGE, RAD, HCP-DES, RBRAIN MDMA, RBRAIN Ketamine, and PTRD Psilocybin. Across these projects, the lab employs a harmonized core “menu” of imaging, behavioral, and symptom measures combined with a standardized analytic pipeline applied consistently across studies, enabling biotype-based analyses and cross-project comparison.

​

Supporting this program—and this position—are NIH awards under NIMH’s priority initiative, Individually Measured Phenotypes to Advance Computational Translation in Mental Health (IMPACT-MH), and a P50 Center of Excellence. The overarching goal is to use brain imaging-derived circuit measures to identify biotypes of depression, understand how these biotypes relate to symptoms and behaviors, and predict personalized treatment outcomes.

​

The postdoctoral scientist will play a pivotal role in the following areas:

 

   1. Scientific Coordination

Take the lead in managing the primary research outcomes of a priority project, while also contributing to secondary efforts. Responsibilities include gaining deep familiarity with study assessments, protocols, data structures, and—where applicable—recruitment strategies. The postdoc will collaborate closely with research coordinators, fellow postdocs, and receive mentorship from academic investigators and project PIs.

​​

   2. Analyses and Publications

Lead analyses of the primary project’s outcomes and drive the preparation of first-author manuscripts. Findings will be presented within lab meetings and at scientific conferences. The postdoc will also have the opportunity to contribute to biotype methods development, particularly in refining circuit quantification and biotype stratification approaches to increase the clinical relevance and translatability of the research. These methodological innovations will be applicable across projects and open additional avenues for collaborative publications across the lab’s broader precision psychiatry research portfolio, leveraging harmonized legacy.

​​

   3. Collaborative Engagement

Actively engage in the lab’s vibrant, team-oriented environment. The postdoctoral scientist will benefit from a collaborative culture and have access to structured opportunities for professional development, including mentoring, grant-writing support, and career planning.

 

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• PhD or MD/PhD in a field(s) relevant to functional neuroimaging and neuroimaging data analysis. 

• Extensive experience with functional magnetic resonance imaging, including resting fMRI and task fMRI. Proficiency in handling NIfTI-format neuroimaging data and performing volume-based analyses is required.

• Strong motivation to pursue research that integrates fMRI, behavioral, and symptom measures to identify brain circuit biotypes and guide precision treatments for depression.

• Demonstrated capacity to lead high-impact first-author publications.

• Self-motivated with a preference for working within an interdisciplinary, collaborative environment.

• Strong interest in and familiarity with precision medicine approaches is preferred.

• Familiarity with psychological constructs and/or experience with human subject data is preferred.

• Profound experience in statistical and computational approaches. Proficiency in scientific programming (e.g., R or Python) and scripting in research environments is required. Substantial experience with SPM and connectivity toolboxes is highly desirable.

​

ABOUT THE PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

The supervising PI for this position is Dr. Leanne Williams,  https://profiles.stanford.edu/leanne-williams.
Lab and Center:  http://med.stanford.edu/pmhw. The position will be based within a collaborative team that values cooperation, fairness, efficiency and conscientiousness. 

 

APPLICATIONS

Submit your application through the button below. Please include a cover letter outlining your interest in the position and expertise, a CV and three referees. Contact pmhw_admin@stanford.edu if you have any questions.