Job Postings

(05/12/05): Postdoctoral/Predoctoral Position at University of Kansas - Parsons

(05/12/05): Assistant or Associate Scientist at University of Kansas - Parsons

(12/01/04): Postdoctoral position at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences


Schiefelbusch Institute for Life Span Studies at Parsons

POSTDOCTORAL/PREDOCTORAL POSITION

Kate Saunders and Dean Williams of the Parsons Research Center anticipate an opening at the post-doctoral or a pre-doctoral level beginning summer 2005. This is a 100% full-time post-doctoral position with full University benefits. The position will be supported by an NIH funded grant entitled "Laboratory Models of Maladaptive Escape Behaviors." The research involves human laboratory research with persons with developmental disabilities.

The ideal person would be able to assume major responsibilities for carrying out all aspects of the research program in the grant, including writing publications and giving presentations on the research. Although this is not a training position, we have outstanding human-operant laboratory facilities, and the person hired could conduct his or her own research within limitations (i.e., the grant related activities come first). In addition, post-doctoral level persons will have opportunities to work on the development of collaborative and independent grant proposals. Thus, it is a good opportunity to expand one's vitae by conducting research and soliciting external funding for research.

Although we would like to get a replacement for our current post-doc (Adam Doughty who is leaving for a position at the College of Charleston), high-quality, pre-doctoral people are also welcome. Obviously, the responsibilities for supervising lab techs and level of participation in other activities will be commensurate with experience. In the past, we have had good luck with newly graduated bachelor or masters-level students who want more and varied research experience and are interested in applying to gradate school next year. We have had a number of such students and most of them have successfully gone on to graduate or professional schools after a year of experience in our lab. We think that this record is due to the students obtaining additional, high-quality research experiences, authorship on presentations at national conventions, and even authorship on publications.

One of the benefits of the position is that very inexpensive housing is available in our 3 bedroom, KU student house located near the Research Center ($30 per month). We have a library at the research center that contains numerous, seminal books and psychological journals as well as document delivery service from the main campus and medical school. Lab staff frequently go to Lawrence to attend presentations and meetings allowing exposure to a wide variety of academic and professional experiences.

The Parsons Research Center is located in a small (10k) city in Southeastern Kansas. There is a community college in Parsons and Pittsburg State University 30 minutes away. Both give some opportunity for culture. Housing is very inexpensive, and the community is quite safe. Thus, Parsons does not offer the day-to-day bustle of the City or University Town but the freedom from distraction and easy parking can provide compensation for the right person.

If you have anyone that may be interested in this position, have them contact us by e-mail and I can give them more details including getting them in contact with past post-docs and pre-docs who have been in our lab in similar positions, and discuss the specific project.

Dean Williams deanwms@ku.edu (620) 421-6550 ext. 1893 or Kate Saunders ksaunders@ku.edu ext. 1891.

The University of Kansas is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. The university encourages applications form underrepresented group members. Federal and state legislation prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, disability, and veteran status. In addition, university policies prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, marital status, and parental status.

Here are some publications that have included past post and pre-docs:

Saunders, K. J., Johnston, M. D., Tompkins, B. F., Dutcher, D. L., & Williams, D. C. (1997). Generalized identity matching of two-dimensional forms by individuals with moderate to profound retardation. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 102, 285-291.
Tompkins and Dutcher were pre-docs

Williams, D. C., Dube, W. V., Johnston, M. D., & Saunders, K. J. (1998). Conditional vs. trial-unique delayed matching to sample. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 103, 186-192.
Johnston was a pre-doc.

O’Donnell, J., Crosbie, J., Williams, D. C., & Saunders, K. J. (2000). Stimulus control and generalization of point-loss punishment with humans. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior,73, 261-274.
O'Donnell was a post-doc

Williams, D. C., Jack, S. L., Mahon, K. L., & Shores, R. E. (2002). Measuring effects of drugs on human social behaviors. Experimental Analysis of Human Behavior Bulletin, 20, 9-12.
Mahon was a post-doc

Saunders, K. J., O’Donnell, J., Vaidya, M., & Williams, D. C. (2003). Recombinative generalization of within-syllable units in nonreading adults with mental retardation. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 36, 95-99.
Vaidya and O'Donnell were post-docs

Bejarano, R., Williams, D. C., & Perone, M. (2003). Pausing on multiple schedules: Toward a laboratory model of escape-motivated behavior. Experimental Analysis of Human Behavior Bulletin, 21, 18-20.
Bejarano was a post-doc.

Saunders, K. J., O'Donnell, J., Williams, D. C., & Spradlin, J. E. (in press) Derived conditional position discrimination in individuals without naming skills. Psychological Record.

Doughty, A. H., Doughty, S. S., O'Donnell, J. Saunders, K. J., & Williams, D. C. (in press) Stimulus control of punishment effects: Determining the controlling variables. Mexican Journal of Behavior Analysis.
Doughty, A and O'Donnell post-doc.

Williams, D. C., Johnston, M. D., & Saunders, K. J. Intertrial sources of stimulus control and delayed matching-to-sample performance in humans. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior. Accepted pending revisions.
Johnston was a pre-doc

Posted: 5-16-2005



Schiefelbusch Institute for Life Span Studies at Parsons

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

TITLE: Assistant or Associate Scientist

OVERVIEW: The University of Kansas, Schiefelbusch Institute for Life Span Studies at Parsons is a nationally recognized program in Developmental Disabilities. For over 40 years, the University has maintained an active research, training and service program at Parsons, Kansas, which is located approximately 2 hours south of the University’s main campus in Lawrence. The Parsons program focuses on basic and applied research, training, and model program development. The site offers a distinguished history of research and training while providing a collegial atmosphere that is highly conducive to professional development and productivity.

POSITION DESCRIPTION: A non-teaching faculty equivalent position at the Assistant or Associate Scientist rank with expertise and interests related to one or more of the following topics: assistive technology, early childhood, reading, challenging and aberrant behavior, dual diagnosis, health disparities faced by individuals with disabilities, training, or direct service providers, or distance education. This position will develop and direct new initiatives in applied research, training, and/or the development of model demonstration services and programs for persons with disabilities through grant funded programs. It is anticipated that this person will complement and broaden existing research, training and/or exemplary service programs and staff as well as extend the breadth of professional resources at the Parsons setting.

This is a 12-month position that will be fully funded for two years after which the successful applicant will be expected to provide at least 25% of his/her support from externally funded grants or contracts. This is a permanent position contingent upon continued funding.

DUTIES:
1. Develop and maintain a program of research to complement the Parsons program
2. Design, prepare and submit grants for external and internal funding
3. Publish research in reputable scientific journals and other media
4. Participate as team member in program development efforts at Parsons and with other Life Span Institute sites
5. Recruit, train and supervise research staff
6. Provide service to the community and to the profession
7. Develop collaborations with other university scientist in Kansas and elsewhere
8. Serve on committees as required

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS for Assistant Scientist:
1. Earned Doctoral Degree in human development, special education, psychology, or related field
2. Evidence of strong potential for independent external funding
3. Written evidence of current or planned research/program development appropriate to the mission of the Life Span Institute
4. Recent publications in referred journals or edited material
5. Documented experience in public speaking, scholarly presentations, and/or teaching at preservice/inservice with adult learners
6. Ability to work successfully with other professionals in a cooperative research environment

IN ADDITION, REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS for Associate Scientist:
1. Evidence of funded external grants and contracts
2. Experience in project management/program development

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR ASSISTANT SCIENTIST AND ASSOCIATE SCIENTIST:
1. Development and distribution of professional training materials
2. Research/Program interests that complement or extend ongoing work at the Parsons LSI program

STARTING DATE: August 1, 2005 or as soon thereafter as possible

CLOSING DATE: First consideration will be given to applications received by April 15, 2005. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled

SALARY RANGE: Salary negotiable, depending on qualifications

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Application should include the following:
1. Letter of intent to apply for the position including brief (2 page) description of plan for model demonstration program development, research, or training as well as any unique scientific or research equipment or support needs
2. Current vita
3. One to three of the following: a) published, in press or unpublished article(s) and, if possible (b) grant proposal(s) that are in preparation or that have been submitted
4. Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three references whom may be contacted by letter and/or telephone

APPLICATION AND REQUEST FOR FURTHER INFORMATION SHOULD BE ADDRESSES TO:

Laura Hanigan
University of Kansas
Search Committee
2601 Gabriel
Parsons Kansas 67357
620-421-6550 ext. 1896
lhanigan@ku.edu

THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER. THE UNIVERSITY ENCOURAGES APPLICATIONS FORM UNDERREPRESENTED GROUP MEMBERS. FEDERAL AND STATE LEGISLATION PROHIBITS DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF RACE, RELIGION, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, ANCESTRY, SEX, AGE, DISABILITY, AND VETERAN STATUS. IN ADDITION, UNIVERSITY POLICIES PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION, MATRIAL STATUS, AND PARENTAL STATUS.

Posted: 5-12-2005



POSTDOCTORAL POSITION IN SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Research fellowship positions (2-3yrs) are available in new and growing research center. Participate in the development, conduct, and publication of studies such as delay discounting, behavioral economics of drug-reinforced behavior, and computerized treatments of drug abuse. Trainees may participate in research using brain-imaging techniques. Outstanding trainees will have opportunity to join the faculty. Applicants must have completed doctoral training in psychology or related field and have research experience. Individuals from disadvantaged groups are encouraged to apply. Competitive stipends. Send letter of interest, vita, and letters of reference to:

Warren K. Bickel, Ph.D., Director
Arkansas Center for Addictive Behaviors
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
4301 W. Markham St. # 554
Little Rock, AR 72205

Posted: 12-01-2004