CSE Postdoctoral Scholar - Brain, Data, and Causality (BDC) Lab

The College of Science and Engineering at University of North Carolina Wilmington invites applications for a postdoctoral scholar to begin Fall 2025. A UNCW postdoctoral scholar is a 12-month full-time temporary non-faculty position with the potential to renew for up to 2 years.

A postdoctoral fellow position is available in the Brain, Data, and Causality ( BDC) Lab, directed by Dr. Eric Rawls, in the Department of Psychology at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Our lab focuses on using EEG and noninvasive neuromodulation to investigate the brain basis of executive control, and contextual modulators of executive control like emotion and motivation. We use and develop advanced computational methods, including "big data" statistical methods, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, and we conduct experiments with both healthy volunteers and clinical patients ( PTSD, substance use disorders, mTBI).

UNCW postdoctoral scholars gain important training and research experience through their relationship with the university in ways that support and fulfill the research, scholarship, and teaching missions of the institution. The primary responsibility of the postdoctoral scholar is to conduct research and, upon initial appointment, may provide oversight of research projects and personnel, project management, assistance in development and writing of proposals and manuscripts, data acquisition, higher-level interpretation of computational results, and comprehensive data analysis. These activities may be carried out in both field and laboratory settings.

The UNCW postdoctoral scholar will:

This is a 1-year term appointment with opportunity for renewal year to year, contingent on the availability of funding through June 2027.

Postdoctoral appointments are term-limited based on the availability of funding. Postdoctoral scholars are typically assigned 12-month full-time appointments for a 1-2 year term appointment not to exceed a total of five years.

NOTE:

No Required Certifications or Licensure

UNCW is an 18,000-student campus located on the scenic North Carolina coast. It is a public Carnegie R2 doctoral University institution (high research activity).

The Psychology Department has 32 full-time faculty members and serves over 875 undergraduate and 89 graduate majors. The department operates successful Ph.D. programs in Clinical Psychology, Psychological Science, and Applied Behavior Analysis and a Neuroscience & Behavior Master's program.

The department emphasizes applied learning experiences at the graduate and undergraduate levels and strongly values the contribution of basic and applied research to advance the field of psychology.

A description of our department and the degrees offered can be found at: https://uncw.edu/academics/colleges/cse/departments/psychology/.

The College of Science and Engineering offers a variety of programs leading to Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees, as well as Doctor of Philosophy degrees in applied coastal and ocean sciences; pharmaceutical chemistry; integrative, comparative, and marine biology; and psychology degrees. The college also offers combined bachelor's/master's degree programs in information technology/computer science and information systems, computer science/computer science and information systems, and B.S. in mathematics/M.S. in mathematics. To implement its academic programs, the college provides instruction and research opportunities in the natural and behavioral sciences, information technology, data science, computer science, mathematics, pre-engineering, and engineering. The eight academic departments in the college provide courses of study in each of these areas, in addition to interdepartmental programs in information technology, cybersecurity, and digital arts. A 2+2 in engineering; and 3+2 programs in computer science and electrical or computer engineering; and physics and electrical engineering, are also offered in the college. Post-baccalaureate certificate programs in environmental studies, applied statistics, and geographic information science are also available.

CSE students work with distinguished faculty and scientists, use cutting edge technology, and conduct impactful research. Faculty-directed research projects empower CSE students to apply what they learn inside the classroom and laboratory to real-world situations and prepares them for a variety of careers or advanced study.

The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state's coastal university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring, research and service. Widely acknowledged for its world-class faculty and staff and continuously recognized at a national level for scholarly excellence and affordability, UNCW offers a powerful academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry and critical thinking and a community rich in diversity, inclusion and global perspectives.

A public institution with nearly 18,000 students, UNCW offers a full range of baccalaureate- and graduate-level programs, as well as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, marine biology, nursing practice and psychology; and many distance learning options, including clinical research, an accelerated RN-to- BSN program, an Executive M.B.A. program structured for working professionals, and the nation's only bachelor's degree program focused on coastal engineering.

The university's efforts to advance research and scholarly activities have earned UNCW the elevated designation of "Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity" institution (R2 University) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

UNCW has been part of the University of North Carolina System since 1969.

At the University of North Carolina at Wilmington ( UNCW), our culture reflects our values of inclusion, diversity, globalization, ethics and integrity and innovation and we are committed to providing equality of educational and employment opportunity for all persons without regard to race, sex (such as gender, gender identity, marital status, childbirth, and pregnancy), age, color, national origin (including ethnicity), religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, military service member status, genetic information, or relationship to other university constituents - except where sex, age, or ability represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutorily established eligibility criterion for State funded employee benefit programs. UNCW believes that embracing the unique contributions of our faculty, staff and students is critical to our success and paramount in being recognized for our global mindset.

Please note, this is a postdoctoral position. The length of the assignment will be based on department need with the possibility of continuation. Employees in postdoc positions are considered temporary positions (non-permanent state employees) but do qualify for postdoctoral medical insurance and paid leave, unlike other temporary employees at the university. More information about postdoctoral employees can be found in the Postdoc Handbook.

To receive consideration, please be sure you have fully completed the entire application before you apply for this position. For more info/to apply visit the applicant portal. Applications must be submitted through the online application system by 11:59pm EST of the posting close date to be considered.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. UNC Wilmington participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Prior to the official appointment to the university, the candidate(s) selected for hire must be able to demonstrate eligibility to teach assigned courses by successfully meeting the credentialing requirements based on official transcripts and other documentation as required.

To apply, please submit:

Please contact Dr. Eric Rawls at rawlse@uncw.edu