Cognitive Science Internship Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Position Summary
This is a full-time position (40 hours per week), prefers a minimum 2-year commitment, and will continue upon availability of funds and performance. Work will primarily be conducted in person, engaging directly with families and participants. Some tasks may be completed remotely when applicable. This position offers an excellent opportunity for professional growth and training in developmental and behavioral assessment and intervention within a collaborative research environment. This Psychologist position will lead and work with a team including psychometrists, child-family life specialists, BCBA interventionists, behavior technicians, and trainees. Child participants also may have psychiatrists and other medical providers within the MIDB who will consult with the study team.
Applications must be submitted online; please upload a cover letter and CV. Your application will not be considered until all components are complete. Review of applications is ongoing, and the position(s) will remain open until the posting is removed. Ideal start date is July 1, 2026. This position will report directly to Dr. Amy Esler.
Responsibilities
Overseeing and Conducting Assessment Administrations (70%)
- Lead psychological and neuropsychological evaluation of toddlers and school-age youth with neurodevelopmental disabilities, including autism, intellectual disability, rare disorders, ADHD, and those with behavioral and mental health needs
- Provide and review other team members written summaries of testing results, including written and oral feedback to families and recommendations for treatment and educational planning
- Provide expertise in consultation and execution on appropriate cognitive and behavioral assessments to describe children and measure their growth 
- Manage participant engagement supports during testing through positive behavior strategies and advanced interpersonal, analytical, technical, and child interaction skills
- Train and lead team members to ensure adherence to standardized administration, scoring, and data management procedures
Research Study Coordination (10%)
- Manage compliance and adherence to the established research assessment protocols and study procedures by clinical team members
- Direct clinical team members and project coordinators on the logistics of scheduling assessment research appointments with participants, preparing testing materials, and organization of assessment data
- Provide consultation on best practices in assessment, including maximizing child engagement and comfort during research protocols, selection of measures, and interpretation of measures
- Lead team members with advanced expertise on the day-to-day research operations related to clinical assessments and evaluations
Training and Supervision (10%)
- Supervise trainees and staff administering clinical assessments
- Provide organizational oversight of child life services
- Provide training to faculty, trainees, and research staff to reliability on standardized assessment administration and interpretation 
- Maintain assessment fidelity and reliability across clinical core team members
- Manage regular performance reviews and professional development opportunities for project staff and trainees
Laboratory Support & Publication (10%)
- Lead and attend project meetings
- Advise and consult on complex problems, to support the broader lab and clinical assessment team as needed
- Collaborate regularly with study PIs, Program Director, and Clinical Core Lead
- Participate in the broader intellectual environment to augment professional development
- Conduct various outreach activities for community partners and participate in seminars and other didactic experiences 
- Contribute to research analysis and dissemination, including writing and contributing to manuscripts, grant proposals, and scientific presentations

Required Qualifications
- Ph.D. or a Psy.D. in clinical psychology, school psychology, or counseling psychology from an APA and/or CPA accredited program, internship training, and minimum 1-year post-doctoral training in pediatric psychology or neuropsychology
- Applicant must be license-eligible in the state of Minnesota
- Strong diagnostic skills required, including extensive experience assessing young children with neurodevelopmental disabilities
- Strong skills in clinical interviewing and engaging caregivers and families in assessments
- Excellent organizational skills, strong oral and written communication skills and computer proficiency 
- Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with people from a variety of communities, backgrounds, and identities, commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion as well as accepting and embracing neurodiversity
Preferred Qualifications
- Desire to contribute to clinical research on neurodevelopmental disabilities, especially autism and rare disorders
- Research-level training on diagnostic measures for autism, including Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R). Must be willing to train to reliability on both measures.
- 5+ years of relevant experience administering standardized assessments in research, clinical, or educational settings
- Experience working with children with autism and related conditions with high support needs (i.e., having intellectual disability and/or being non-speaking)
- Advanced analytical and technical skills to solve complex problems
- Experience with university regulations, policies, and best practices involved in clinical research projects with child participants
- Knowledgeable of professional and ethical clinical standards regarding the delivery of professional mental health services in general
- Willingness to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends, to accommodate family schedules
- Fluency in multiple languages
 

Program/Unit Description
This position supports research conducted at the Cognition and Neurodevelopmental Studies (CNS) Lab at the University of Minnesota. The CNS lab is a multiple PI-led research lab focused on brain and behavioral development in neurodevelopmental disabilities with a significant grant funding portfolio across multiple departments (Pediatrics, ICD) housed at the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain. The Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain (MIDB) is dedicated to fostering healthy brain function across the lifespan through early neurobehavioral and mental health assessment, innovative targeted interventions, informed policy-making, compassionate child-advocacy, and community education. The MIDBs mission of basic and clinical research in the field of neurobehavioral development is supported by a M Health Fairview multi-specialty clinic and multiple research service hubs including: Analytics, Informatics, Neuroimaging, Center for Neurobehavioral Development, Translational Neuroscience, Neuromodulation, TeleOutreach, Community Engagement and Education, and Clinic-Research Integration.
Drs. Meghan Swanson and Jed Elison are co-Directors of the CNS Lab, Casey Burrows is the Lab Director of Clinical Training, and Shanna Mliner is the Program Director. Amy Esler, PhD, LP serves as the Clinical Core lead for this project. We are seeking a Licensed Psychologist (LP) or Neuropsychologist to join our expanding clinical research team specializing in the characterization of neurodevelopment and neurodevelopmental disabilities. Responsibilities for this Psychologist role include overseeing and conducting behavioral phenotyping assessment activities, research study coordination, training and supervision, and general laboratory support.

Pay Range: $85,000 - $115,000, depending on education/qualifications/experience 

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff 

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services 
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

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 be given 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.

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

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