Description
About Us
The Center for Brain Recovery (CBR) at Boston University is a cutting-edge research center focused on understanding mechanisms of language recovery following stroke and developing effective treatments for stroke survivors. Our interdisciplinary team of clinicians, neuroscientists, engineers, and data scientists is dedicated to advancing precision rehabilitation and next-generation neurotechnologies for individuals with aphasia.
Position Overview
The Center for Brain Recovery is seeking a highly motivated and innovative Postdoctoral Researcher to join our dynamic team working on two complementary research initiatives. The successful candidate will advance groundbreaking work in understanding how the brain recovers language function after stroke and in developing neuroimaging-based prognostic frameworks to enhance precision rehabilitation, neuromodulation and therapeutics for aphasia. This position offers a unique opportunity to work on cutting-edge research in neuroimaging, computational neuroscience, and precision therapeutics for aphasia recovery.
Requirements
Key Responsibilities
Neural Network Engagement & Language Recovery Research:
Conduct and analyze fMRI studies investigating how different brain networks (language network and domain-general multiple demand network) support language processing in persons with aphasia
Evaluate how intensive language therapy modulates neural engagement across brain networks
Neuroimaging-Based Prognostication & Connectivity Mapping:
Develop and refine computational pipelines for analyzing directional temporal-frontal connectivity using advanced neuroimaging data (MRI, DTI, rsfMRI)
Build and validate lesion-informed cortical-dynamics simulations to compute patient-specific effective connectivity
Create personalized "digital twins" of patient brains to identify recruitable language function and viable neuroprosthesis targets
Computational Modeling & Machine Learning:
Develop machine learning models that predict individual recovery prognosis and treatment response from multimodal neuroimaging and behavioral data
Apply interpretable AI methods to identify predictive neural biomarkers
Validate prognostic algorithms on independent cohorts and translate findings into clinical candidacy assessments
Clinical Research & Data Management:
Coordinate recruitment, screening, and enrollment of stroke survivors with aphasia across varying severity levels
Oversee fMRI data collection and quality assurance
Manage longitudinal study databases and ensure compliance with ethical research standards
Contribute to clinical characterization of participants and behavioral assessments
Qualifications
Required:
Ph.D. in neuroscience, neuroimaging, computational neuroscience, biomedical engineering, data science, psychology, or related field
Strong experience with fMRI data acquisition and analysis
Proficiency in neuroimaging analysis software (FSL, SPM, AFNI) and programming languages (Python, MATLAB, or R)
Experience with structural connectivity analysis and/or computational modeling
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team
Commitment to ethical research practices and patient-centered care
Highly Desired:
Experience with machine learning or deep learning applications in neuroimaging
Prior involvement in clinical trials or clinical research with stroke or aphasia populations
Experience with network neuroscience or connectivity analyses
Familiarity with brain-computer interface, neuromodulation research or neurorehabilitation
