Interested in joining our lab? We would love to meet you!

Our laboratory consists of a diverse team with a wide range of clinical and research abilities, including:

  • Neurologists

  • Psychiatrists

  • Experimental Psychologists

  • Cognitive Neuroscientists

  • Neuropsychologists

  • And other specialists

Each team member brings a unique perspective that enhances the creation of high-quality scientific work. The interdisciplinary nature of our team enables us to place our research findings in a broader context and effectively communicate them to a diverse audience.

We believe that joining our laboratory would provide you with the opportunity to experience these diverse perspectives and gain valuable insights from the varied skill sets within our team.


Research Populations

Our team has the opportunity to engage with:

Healthy Populations

  • Healthy older adults

Clinical Populations

  • Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injuries
  • Older adults with memory disorders, including:
    • Alzheimer’s disease
    • Parkinson’s disease
    • Dementia with Lewy Bodies
    • Frontotemporal dementia
    • Vascular dementia
    • Limbic-Predominant Age-Related TDP-43 Encephalopathy
    • Primary Age-Related Tauopathy

Feel free to explore the website to get to know our team and some of our current projects.

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Postdoctoral Research Fellow Position

Position: Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Principal Investigator: Dr. Andrew Budson
Funding: VA-funded research
Duration: 2-3 years (grant ends 6/30/27)
Salary: GS-11 level, $81,963 (Boston area)
Start Date: Summer 2026
Citizenship Requirement: US citizens only


Research Focus Areas

The successful candidate will contribute to cutting-edge research in memory and Alzheimer’s disease across six key projects:

  1. Memory Changes in Cognitive Decline: Using EEG, event-related potentials (ERPs), structural MRI, and amyloid PET scans to understand memory changes in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease
  2. COVID-19 Social Isolation Impact: Assessing the effects of pandemic-related social isolation on older adults with and without Alzheimer’s disease.
  3. Cognitive Interventions: Developing memory compensation strategies and interventions, including theta-band neurofeedback applications.
  4. Memory and Consciousness: Exploring the relationship between memory, consciousness, and dementia.
  5. Memory Consolidation: Understanding consolidation processes in Alzheimer’s disease.
  6. Visual Hallucinations: Investigating the causes of visual hallucinations in dementia with Lewy bodies and posterior cortical atrophy.

Key Responsibilities

Research Activities

  • Study design and methodology development
  • Data collection across multiple modalities:
    • Behavioral assessments
    • EEG recordings
    • Neuroimaging data
    • Clinical evaluations
  • Statistical analysis and data interpretation
  • Manuscript preparation and publication

Equipment and Technology

  • Set up new research equipment (TMS rig, gaze tracking systems)
  • Assist with study development and piloting for:
    • Consciousness as a memory system assessment
    • Memory enhancement through theta oscillatory brain activity modulation

Publications

  • Co-authorship on all publications and studies involving the fellow’s contributions

Required Qualifications

Essential Requirements

  • PhD in experimental psychology, cognitive neuroscience, or related field
  • Strong background in experimental psychology and cognitive neuroscience
  • Demonstrated ability to write scientific papers, grants, and IRB protocols
  • Established publication record in peer-reviewed journals
  • Proficiency in statistical analysis
  • US citizenship

Personal Qualities

  • High motivation and initiative
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively
  • Strong organizational and time management skills

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with EEG/ERP methods (BrainVision, , E Prime) and analysis software (MATLAB, R, Python)
  • Knowledge of TMS techniques and applications
  • Familiarity with neuroimaging data analysis
  • Previous postdoctoral or relevant research experience

Position Details

Contract Terms:

  • Initial appointment for one year
  • Renewable annually based on funding availability and satisfactory performance
  • Position available immediately with flexible start date

Work Environment:

  • Collaborative research team setting
  • Access to state-of-the-art neuroimaging and electrophysiology facilities
  • Opportunities for professional development and independent research initiatives

Application Process

Required Materials:

  1. Letter of interest
  2. Current curriculum vitae
  3. Contact information for three professional references

Submit to:
Dr. Kathy Xie, Postdoctoral Fellow
Email: kxie1@bu.edu

Application Status: Currently accepting applications

 


Research Assistant Intern Position 

Position Overview 

The Center for Translational Cognitive Neuroscience (CTCN), co-directed by Dr. Andrew Budson and Dr. Kate Turk, is seeking dedicated research assistant interns for Spring 2026 and/or Summer 2026. This position offers valuable hands-on research experience in cognitive neuroscience and clinical research with older adult populations. 

About the Center 

The Center for Translational Cognitive Neuroscience is co-affiliated with Boston University Medical Campus Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Our research focuses on understanding and improving cognitive function in aging and neurological disorders through innovative approaches combining neuroscience, psychology, and clinical practice. 

Location 

150 S. Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02130
Jamaica Plain Campus of the VA Boston Healthcare System 


Research Focus Areas 

Research interns will participate in cutting-edge projects involving older adult Veterans who are patients of our Memory Disorders Clinic. These patients present with various neurological conditions, including: 

  • Alzheimer’s disease 
  • Vascular dementia 
  • Lewy body disease 
  • Other age-related cognitive disorders 

Current and upcoming research projects include: 

  • Investigating the efficacy of EEG neurofeedback and mindfulness meditation interventions in improving memory function in Alzheimer’s disease 
  • Exploring relationships between consciousness and memory processes 
  • Examining neurophysiological mechanisms underlying memory decline in aging 
  • Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injuries and Event-Related Potentials research 

Position Requirements 

Time Commitment: 

  • Minimum of 10 hours per week at the Jamaica Plain VA Hospital 
  • Available for Spring 2026 and/or Summer 2026 terms 
  • Preferably, we are looking for students who can work with us for at least a year part-time or ten weeks full-time. 

Qualifications: 

  • Undergraduate or graduate student in psychology, neuroscience, or related field 
  • Strong interest in cognitive neuroscience and aging research 
  • Ability to work professionally with older adult clinical populations 
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills 
  • Attention to detail and ability to follow research protocols 
  • Reliable and punctual attendance 

Expectations 

Research interns will be expected to: 

  • Assist with data collection and analysis 
  • Interact professionally with veteran participants 
  • Maintain strict confidentiality and adhere to research ethics protocols 
  • Participate in research team meetings and training sessions 
  • Contribute to ongoing research projects under supervision 
  • Complete assigned tasks accurately and within deadlines 

Application Process 

Important Timeline Information: The onboarding process through the VA typically takes 3-6 months to complete. Therefore, we strongly encourage interested applicants to reach out well in advance of their desired start date. 

Interested applicants should contact Dr. Kathy Xie, Postdoctoral Fellow, Email: kxie1@bu.edu, and include: 

  • Current CV/resume 
  • Academic transcript (unofficial acceptable) 
  • Brief cover letter explaining interest in the position 

Additional Information 

For more information about our center and current research initiatives, please visit our website: https://sites.bu.edu/ctcnlab/ 

This internship provides an excellent opportunity to gain valuable research experience in translational cognitive neuroscience while contributing to meaningful research that may improve the lives of individuals with cognitive disorders.