Μεταδιδακτορική θέση ψυχολογίας στο Πανεπιστήμιο της Κοπεγχάγης

University of Copenhagen -Department of Psychology

Applications for a position as a postdoctoral research fellow (postdoc) at the Department of Psychology at the University of Copenhagen are hereby called for. The postdoc position is connected to a new international research initiative: “Parent-infant interaction in schizophrenia. Exploring mechanisms of developmental risk and resilience.”

The postdoc is a fixed-term position lasting two years (24 months), starting on March 1^st 2014.

Job description
The project focuses on the role of attachment in risk transmission from mothers diagnosed with schizophrenia to their infants. Several of these infants develop mental illness but only 7% develop schizophrenia, indicating environmental factors affecting transmission of vulnerability to psychopathology. The mother-infant caregiver-attachment relationship plays an important role in normal infant development. The project will explore the role of attachment relationships during the infant’s first 12 months. The project will also evaluate the role of stress-sensitivity as a biomarker of risk, operationalized as heightened cortisol release following a stressful event. Stress-sensitivity is recognized as a risk factor in schizophrenia and psychopathology in general. It is also associated with mother and infant attachment status. The project will establish a globally unique cohort across two countries and create new knowledge informing preventative interventions in this group.

The project is a collaborative research effort between Danish and Scottish research teams. The Danish team is located at Department of Psychology University of Copenhagen. The Scottish team is hosted by the Mental Health and Wellbeing Research Group, University of Glasgow. The PhD will be placed at Department of Psychology and will be part of the international research group consisting of associate professor Susanne Harder, University of Copenhagen (PI),  Professor Andrew Gumley, University of Glasgow, two Postdoc, one PhD and one associated senior researcher.

The postdoc position will include data collection and publication of articles within the project. Considerable travelling must be expected in relation to data collection. Within the first two month of the position the postdoc will develop a project description within the project in collaboration with Susanne Harder.

Qualifications
Postdoctoral positions require qualifications at the PhD level, preferable within a related area. Further special importance will be attached to the applicant having clinical experience with psychosis and/or infant mental health. You must be able to communicate in Danish.

The postdoc position is a full-time research position and does not involve any teaching obligations. Note that the position will not contribute to a broadening of pedagogical competencies. Therefore, the postdoctoral position may not alone qualify for appointment as associate professor/senior researcher.

Full announcement: Applications cannot be based on this extract. To apply for this role please select the APPLY button below.

The deadline for applications including enclosures is 22 November, 2013 (at 12 PM Danish Time).

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