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Postdoc Description
The Facial Affective and Communicative Expression (FACE) Lab at Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts announces the availability of a Postdoctoral Research Associate position, funded by the National Institute on Deafness and Communication Disorders (NIH-NIDCD). The position is for two years, renewable up to four years. The FACE lab investigates social communication, specifically facial and vocal expressions of children with and without autism, using several methodologies. We collect and analyze acoustic measures of speech, infrared motion capture data of facial feature movement, eyetracking data on gaze behavior to social stimuli, and subjective measures of how typical individuals perceive the facial and vocal expressions of individuals with high-functioning autism.

The FACE lab is affiliated with the department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, which has active research programs in the study of communication and communication disorders in several different populations. Emerson College is located in the center of Boston, surrounded by major health care and research centers, which provide a wide range of collaborative clinical and research opportunities. It is the nation’s only four-year institution dedicated exclusively to communication and the arts. The program in Communication Sciences & Disorders is one of the oldest and most respected in the country, and is highly ranked among the most competitive graduate programs in communication disorders in the US. The department offers state-of-the-art research facilities, on-campus clinical facilities and is easily reached by public transportation.

The position involves interacting with children with and without autism and their families, recruiting participants and coordinating research activities in the lab, collecting and analyzing eyetracking, speech-acoustic, motion-capture, and behavioral data, and disseminating research results through conferences and journal publications. The successful candidate is expected to develop and implement independent projects as well.

Applicants should have a doctorate in speech and hearing sciences, linguistics, computer science, engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with autism, computer programming, and strong writing skills are required.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter describing their research interests and relevant experience, Curriculum Vitae, and contact information for three references to Dr. Ruth Grossman at ruth_grossman@emerson.edu.

Emerson College values and has placed an institutional priority on multiculturalism in the campus community. Through its constantly evolving curriculum it seeks to prepare students for success in an increasingly multicultural society. The successful candidate must have the ability to work effectively with faculty, students, and staff from diverse backgrounds. Members of historically underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.