Opportunities
Postdoctoral fellows
Although the lab does not currently have vacant grant-funded postdoc slots, Dr. McGuire is happy to chat informally with prospective postdocs about potential future openings (email jtmcg@bu.edu). Active research themes in the lab include (1) computational modeling of decision processes and (2) neuroimaging studies of decision-related brain systems in PFC, striatum, and MTL.
In addition, there are two internal programs at Boston University that offer postdoctoral funding on a competitive basis. Please get in touch if you would be interested in applying to work with the lab through either of the following programs.
- The College of Arts & Sciences Society of Fellows provides 2–3 years of funding and professional development support for postdoctoral scholars. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary research, teaching, and advancing the inclusivity and diversity of the academic community. Applications for the upcoming cycle are due October 16, 2023 for a start date of September 1, 2024.
- The Center for Systems Neuroscience Fellows program aims to bring postdocs to BU who will contribute to the development and use of new methodological approaches, including computational and neuroimaging techniques. In past years, the program’s call for applications has typically been released in mid-January.
Prospective Ph.D. students
The lab is primarily affiliated with the Brain, Behavior, and Cognition track of the Psychology graduate program (applications due annually on Dec. 1). We also work with students in the Graduate Program for Neuroscience (applications due annually on Dec. 15).
If you are interested in applying to work with the lab, please feel welcome to send an email to let Dr. McGuire know to be on the lookout for your application and to ask any questions you might have. Please understand that as a general matter it isn’t feasible to schedule meetings with applicants prior to the review of applications.
Undergraduate research
The lab periodically has openings for undergraduate research assistants. We sometimes have paid positions available; research can also be undertaken through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program or for course credit in the Psychology or Neuroscience major. Interested students should email the following application materials to jtmcg@bu.edu by Dec. 1 for the following Spring semester or Apr. 1 for the following Summer or Fall:
- Your unofficial academic transcript
- Your CV or résumé
- A 1–2 paragraph statement of interest, addressing (1) what aspects of the lab’s work interest you, and (2) any previous experience you might have with research or with computer programming (prior exposure to R, Python, or Matlab is especially relevant, but no experience is required).
If you are a BU student with a work-study financial aid award, please mention it in your email, as we are sometimes able to hire into work-study positions.
