Postdoctoral Research Associate Jobs in New Jersey

Position Details

Recruitment/Posting Title Postdoctoral Research Associate – Cognitive Aging, Minority Health, and Multimodal Data Integration

Department Institute for Health, Health C

Salary Details A maximum of $70,000 is budgeted for this position

The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university’s broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.

Benefits

Rutgers provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. The specific benefits vary based on the position and may include:
- Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
- Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
- Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options
- Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)
- Life insurance coverage
- Employee discount programs

Posting Summary

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will work directly with Dr. Luciana Mascarenhas Fonseca, Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Rutgers University. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research at the intersection of cognitive aging and dementia, with a particular focus on individuals with Down syndrome and other populations at elevated risk for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

The successful candidate will play a key role in ongoing and developing studies examining longitudinal cognitive trajectories and the mechanisms underlying dementia risk and progression. The postdoctoral researcher will work closely with Dr. Fonseca and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of neuropsychologists, neurologists, and cognitive neuroscientists within the Herbert and Jacqueline Krieger Alzheimer’s Research Center.

Applicants should be highly motivated to work in aging and dementia research and have experience working with human subjects. Experience in multimodal data integration and statistical analysis is required. Experience with neuroimaging and/or other large-scale biomedical or behavioral datasets is desirable. Ideal candidates will have a background in Neuroscience, Psychology, Neuropsychology, Psychiatry, Cognitive Science, or Health Studies, with a strong interest in cognitive aging and neurodegenerative disease.

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will participate in lab meetings, research-in-progress seminars, and presentations at national and international conferences. Responsibilities include preparing manuscripts, contributing to grant applications, and supporting the development of independent research projects. The successful candidate will also be encouraged to pursue external funding opportunities.

The position requires a minimum on-site presence of 60%. While alternative arrangements may be considered, the ideal candidate should be able to work on-site in New Brunswick at least three days per week. The appointment is initially for one year, with the expectation of a longer-term collaboration and the possibility of renewal.

Dr. Fonseca’s research focuses on identifying early predictive markers of dementia, understanding mechanisms of cognitive decline, and advancing inclusive approaches to dementia research. Her work includes studies involving adults with Down syndrome as a key population at elevated risk for Alzheimer’s disease, as well as other cohorts affected by neurodegenerative conditions. Her research integrates traditional neuropsychological assessments, digital phenotyping, and ecological momentary assessment approaches, alongside multimodal data sources, to better understand the mechanisms underlying both healthy and pathological aging.

This position provides an opportunity to engage in translational and community-engaged research, co-author and lead manuscripts and grant proposals, develop independent research directions, and grow as an early-career investigator within the Herbert and Jacqueline Krieger Alzheimer’s Research Center, the first center in New Jersey dedicated solely to advancing Alzheimer’s and dementia research.

Position Status Full Time

Posting Number 26FA0582

Posting Open Date 06/08/2026

Posting Close Date 07/07/2026

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

- PhD or MD in Neuroscience, Psychology, Cognitive Science, Public Health, or related discipline, with experience in multimodal data integration and statistical analysis.
- Demonstrated experience working with human subject research.
- Must have at least one first-author publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
- Candidate must hold a PhD and/or M.D, by August 2026, at the latest.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

- Proficiency in statistical programming (e.g., R, Python) for data analysis and visualization.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and time-management skills.
- Oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate research findings to both academic and non-academic audiences.
- Proficiency with standard office and data tools (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, reference managers, etc.).
- Ability to work collaboratively and independently.

Preferred Qualifications

- Specific experience with individuals with Down syndrome, or populations with intellectual disabilities is desirable.
- Experience working with neuroimaging is desirable.
- Spanish proficiency is desirable.

Equipment Utilized

- Statistical programming (e.g. R, Python)

Overview

The Department of Psychiatry at Rutgers University conducts clinical, translational and population-based research on mental health, brain health and aging. The Institute for Health supports interdisciplinary research focused on improving health outcomes, healthcare delivery and policy across the life span. And the Herbert and Jacqueline Krieger Klein Alzheimer’s Research Center is the first center in New Jersey dedicated solely to advancing Alzheimer’s and dementia research.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

- Resume/CV
- Cover Letter/Letter of Application
- List of Professional References (contact Info)

Optional Documents

Pre-employment Screenings

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.

Immunization Requirements

Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals, if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate’s offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we encourage all qualified applicants to apply. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement