Post-Doctoral Associate

A short-term full-time postdoctoral associate (PA) position is available at the University of Minnesota to work with Dr. Matthew Winn and his collaborators on topics related to speech perception, hearing impairment, and listening effort. This 4-month PA research position is supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health R01 DC017114. The goals of this grant are to understand the time course of listening effort, especially as it relates to listening with a cochlear implant.

The PA is expected to focus on statistical analysis of data including measures of pupil dilation, microsaccades, and behavioral measures of speech perception.

Experience with data collection and statistical modeling of time-series data are essential skills for this position. Specifically, the PA will use generalized additive mixed-effects models to analyze data from existing and ongoing projects.

Fluency with the R programming language is essential. Commitment to good data management is a highly desirable skill for this job. Experience with data visualization and preparation of scientific manuscripts are desirable skills.

Desired start and end dates: Start 8/25/2025, end 12/31/2025

Duties and responsibilities

The PA will be primarily be responsible for statistical analysis and data visualization for current projects relating to listening effort. The PA will be given the opportunity to take the lead in writing manuscripts related to this project. On a day-to-day basis, the PA will be responsible for tasks such as analyzing data, generating documentation for reproducible analysis pipelines, and gathering literature to support the preparation of manuscripts. The PA will also be able to coordinate with other lab members for assistance in all aspects of this job.

Position responsibilities.

• Data Analysis (40%)
  • Overseeing the data analysis and interpretation from behavioral and pupillometry experiments
  • Produce appropriate validation and visualization measures for generalized additive mixed-effects models
  • Design analysis pipelines that integrate behavioral and physiological data streams.
• Presentation/Dissemination of Findings (40%)
  • Write scholarly manuscripts describing the work undertaken with the project and submit them for publication
  • Advise the PI on the integration of statistical analysis into the manuscript(s)
• Documentation (10%)
  • Generate reproducible documentation of the analysis methods
  • Advise the PI on the integration of statistical analysis into the manuscript(s)
• Other duties to be assigned (10%)
  • Participating in other lab activities, such as the weekly lab meeting
  • Consulting on existing and new projects that involve methods similar to the main project

The employer retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

Required qualifications:

• PhD in hearing science, psychology, linguistics, physiology, cognition, or engineering, or a related field.
• Experience conducting research with human participants. Experience in creating and analyzing experiments relating to speech perception and production.
• Experience conducting statistical analysis and visualizations using generalized additive mixed-effects models for time-series pupillometry data.

Preferred qualifications:

• AuD (doctor of audiology) degree.
• Awareness of the communication needs of individuals who are older and/or who have hearing impairment.
• Intermediate to advanced skill in programming in R. Skills for good data management (e.g. GitHub or other version-control systems).
• Familiarity with time-series measurements of listening effort for speech comprehension.

About the Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences

The department offers internationally recognized programs in speech-language hearing sciences (BA, Ph.D.), speech-language pathology (M.A.), and audiology (Au.D.) that provide outstanding opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to pursue academic, educational, and clinical careers. The department hosts a Bilingual Multicultural Emphasis Certificate Program for graduate students in speech-language pathology and audiology. Faculty research and teaching are strongly supported at the unit and collegiate levels. Interdisciplinary collaborations abound across the university. Many faculty collaborate with university-wide centers, including the Center for Cognitive Sciences, the Center for Applied and Translational Sensory Sciences, The Masonic Institute on the Developing Brain, and the Center for Clinical Movement Disorders. The department also has ongoing collegial relationships with the departments of Psychology, Otolaryngology, and with the College of Education and Human Development. The department is strongly committed to community engagement and advancing an understanding of cultural and individual diversity in society (e.g., diversity related to age, ability/disability, ethnicity, gender identity, gender expression, race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status). For further information about the department, please visit the department website, http://slhs.umn.edu/

About the College of Liberal Arts

Home to the arts, social sciences and humanities disciplines and programs, the College of Liberal Arts is the largest college in the University of Minnesota and comprises 31 academic departments, and over 20 interdisciplinary research centers and administrative/support units. CLA has over 1,300 faculty and staff spanning research, teaching, advising, outreach, and administrative functions. CLA units reside in over twenty buildings on the East Bank and West Bank of the Twin Cities campus. CLA enrolls nearly 13,000 undergraduate students, over 40% of the undergraduate enrollment on the Twin Cities campus, 1,400 graduate students, and has an annual all-funds budget of $290 million.

CLA is a destination for curious, compassionate individuals who are committed to making our increasingly interdependent and diverse global community work for everyone. That foundational commitment begins in our CLA Constitution. CLA is committed to increasing enrollment of underrepresented and under-resourced students, diversifying our faculty across all disciplines, recruiting, and retaining a diverse staff, and promoting the expression and exploration of diverse perspectives and viewpoints-so that we all gain the background knowledge and analytical skills we need to understand and respect differences.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in CLA

Working in CLA

Pay Range: $62,232 - $67824; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Please visit the Benefits for Postdoctoral Candidates website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training
• Medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

This position requires that you attach a resume/CV, cover letter stating research and career goals, and writing sample.

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).