Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Esbensen) Down Syndrome

Dr. Anna Esbensen's laboratory in the Division of Developmental Disabilities and Behavioral Pediatrics is looking for a motivated postdoctoral research fellow to join her laboratory focused on clinical and behavioral outcomes research with children and adolescents with Down Syndrome. 

The fellow will be involved in several studies, including
clinical trials of school-age children with Down syndrome, measuring
cognitive or language outcomes in preschool to school-age children
with Down syndrome and a study developing a novel behavioral
outcome measure for use with individuals with Down syndrome. 

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform analysis and experiments - Design, execute, and record analysis and experiments; apply standard scientific protocols to research, and improve current methods and evaluate innovative techniques. Develop and implement human subject research protocols, vertebrate animal research protocols and design experimental procedures and documentation in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations.  Prepare, clean and analyze data. Maintain optimal protocol and accuracy by conducting regular quality and reproducibility checks.

• Communicate results/findings - Draft, write, and edit scientific reports, papers, journal articles, and abstracts. Present information on research and department work to others at department meetings, journal clubs, and seminars. Present results and discuss relevant insights with Faculty and provide useful recommendations and analysis.

• Innovate and advance departmental capabilities - Independently reproduce, evaluate, research, and improve techniques currently used.  Adapt new methods to existing procedures and modify current analysis/experiments through scientific knowledge and intuition.  Maintain accurate and detailed records of all analysis and experiments. Develop, set-up, and verify new procedures in the department.  Standardize and establish new published procedures; evaluate innovative techniques.  Develop new protocols; design formats. Maintain an integral role in the department's meetings, presentations, and publications.  Troubleshoot and correct erroneous results or problems with department software/equipment.  Maintain and repair software/equipment; monitor proper use by personnel.

• Financial/Budgeting - Assist in preparing grant applications.  Assist in preparing, writing, and maintaining fiscal budget.  Monitor expenditures and prepare capital expenditure requests.  Prepare, approve, and initiate check requests; track funding, maintain accurate balance, and resolve any discrepancies.

• Staff Leadership - May provide day-to-day functional leadership for a team or directly manage a minimal number of support staff.  Establishes team goals. Gives input into, and performs employee performance reviews. Oversees and guides work assignments.   Serves as the functional expert and provides guidance to the team.

• Education and Training - May serve as course master and develop new courses at the undergraduate and graduate level, including appropriate plans for evaluating student performance; may deliver lectures as a guest lecturer in courses organized by other faculty.  Assist in the training of new employees. Serve as a resource and/or mentor to coworkers.  Assist in the development and presentation of department training. Identify training needs and provide necessary coaching.

 JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• Ph.D. in developmental science, psychology; experiences in developmental disabilities, MD, or equivalent degree   

• Preferred: PhD in Computer Science, Physics, Biomedical Informatics, Bioinformatics, Epidemiology, Biostatistics or other similar quantitative disciplines

• Preferred: Experience in a related discipline

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At Cincinnati Children’s, we come to work with one goal: to make children’s health better. We believe in a holistic team approach, both in caring for patients and their families, and in advancing science and discovery. We strive to do better and find energy and inspiration in our shared purpose. If you want to be the best you can be, you can do it at Cincinnati Children’s. 

 Cincinnati Children's is: 

• Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 10  best Children's Hospitals in the nation for more than 15 years 

• Consistently among the top 3 Children's Hospitals for National Institutes of Health (NIH) Funding 

• Recognized as one of America’s Best Large Employers  (2025), America’s Best Employers for New Grads (2025) 

• One of the nation's America’s Most Innovative Companies as noted by Fortune 

• Consistently certified as great place to work 

• A Leading Disability Employer as noted by the National Organization on Disability 

• Magnet® designated for the fourth consecutive time by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) 

 We Embrace Innovation—Together.  We believe in empowering our teams with the tools that help us work smarter and care better. That’s why we support the responsible use of artificial intelligence. By encouraging innovation, we’re creating space for new ideas, better outcomes, and a stronger future—for all of us.

Comprehensive job description provided upon request.

Cincinnati Children’s is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an environment of dignity and respect for all our employees, patients, and families. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, genetic information, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. EEO/Veteran/Disability