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Postdoctoral Scholar- Affective & Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences
Position overview
Application Window
Open date: October 27, 2025
Next review date: Monday, Dec 1, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Tuesday, Jun 30, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position description
Dr. Regina Lapate’s Affective & Cognitive Neuroscience Lab seeks to understand the neural mechanisms underlying behaviors related to emotional processing, memory and cognitive control using techniques including fMRI, EEG, and psychophysiological recordings (EMG, EDA). Ongoing projects include studies of the prefrontal organization of cognitive control in emotion, emotion-motor interactions, and temporal coding and memory during emotional processing. We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to help co-lead a NIH funded study on the organization of prefrontal function in emotion. The funded project uses a combination of representational similarity analyses and individualized transcranial magnetic stimulation.
Qualifications
At the time of application, candidates must have completed all requirements for a PhD (or equivalent) except the dissertation. The PhD should be in psychology, neuroscience, cognitive science, or a related field.
-PhD must be conferred by the start of the appointment
-At least one year experience in one or more programming languages (ideally Python and R)
-At least one year experience with fMRI
-Strong scientific writing skills; strong project management skills; and eagerness to learn and collaborate with others in the lab.
-Experience in the area(s) of cognitive control theory and/or prefrontal anatomy.
-Previous experience or interest in the areas of cognitive control and/or prefrontal anatomy preferred
Application Requirements
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter
Representative Publication#1
Representative Publication#2
Representative Publication#3
Research Statement - 1 page statement detailing your...
-Research
-Why the position is of interest
-How it connects to your current skills and future goals.
- 3 required (contact information only)
Applicants that are chosen for the shortlist (to be interviewed) will have their references contacted after the interview.
Help contact: pamelawilks@ucsb.edu
About UC Santa Barbara
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.
- “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination as defined by the employer.
- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, students and third parties
- APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment
Additionally, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.
UC Santa Barbara is unable to sponsor employment visas of any kind for this position.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.