South Midwest HERC

Description:

Possesses, understands, and applies a comprehensive knowledge in area of specialization. Develops understanding and skills to allow for completion of assignments that cross fields of specialization. Develops leadership and management skills.

1. Receives/Reviews progress and evaluates results of experiments or projects under control or supervisory responsibility.
2. Recommends changes in research, testing or experimental procedures.
3. May be responsible for a single highly technical and complex piece of research equipment.
4. May review and evaluate the effectiveness of personnel.
5. May plan for and assign personnel to projects under control.
6. Operates with latitude for unreviewed action.
7. May receive general supervision conferring with higher levels only in unusual situations.
8. Performs other job-related duties as required.

Position Summary:
The Clinical Research Center for Developmental Language Disorder at the University of Houston invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to support an NIH-funded, multi-year research program focused on early developmental pathways to Developmental Language Disorder (DLD).

This longitudinal program follows a large and diverse cohort of children from ages 2 to 4, with repeated assessments of language, cognitive, and motor development. The overarching goal is to improve early identification of DLD by examining multiple developmental pathways and integrating language, cognitive, motor, and environmental domains.

The postdoctoral fellow will play a central role in the implementation of the language components of the project, including language sampling, transcription and coding of parent child language interactions, and administration of standardized and parent-report measures. At the same time, this position is embedded within a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary team, and candidates with interest in intersecting domains (e.g., cognition, motor development, quantitative methods, or population science) are strongly encouraged to apply.

The fellow will work closely with a collaborative team of investigators across projects and cores of the Center, contributing to cross-domain integration and team-based science. Fit with the broader research team and openness to interdisciplinary collaboration are essential.

This is an in-person position based in Houston, Texas; candidates must be local or willing to relocate. Remote appointments are not available.

Start Date: August 1, 2026 (negotiable within summer 2026)

Minimum Qualifications:
PhD in Speech-Language Pathology, Linguistics, Psychology, or a closely related field (completed by start date)
Background in child development or a closely related area

Preferred Qualifications:
Expertise in early language development and/or Developmental Language Disorder
Experience working with bilingual populations (Spanish–English preferred but not required)
Experience with standardized language assessments and/or parent-report measures.
Interest in interdisciplinary research spanning language, cognition, motor development, or related domains
Strong organizational, analytical, and collaborative skills

Key Responsibilities:
Support and lead implementation of assessment protocols
Participate in data management, analysis, and interpretation
Contribute to manuscript preparation and dissemination of findings
Mentor and supervise research assistants and graduate students
Collaborate with multidisciplinary team members across projects and cores
Salary and Benefits:
Salary will be commensurate with NIH postdoctoral salary guidelines and includes a comprehensive benefits package.

Appointment Terms:
This position is for one year with the possibility of annual renewal for multiple years, pending expected funding. A minimum commitment of 2–3 years is desired.

Application Instructions:
Applicants should submit:
Curriculum vitae
Brief statement of research interests
Contact information for three references
Applications should be submitted through the University of Houston’s internal hiring system. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

For questions about the position, please contact:
Anny Castilla-Earls, PhD annycastilla@uh.edu

MQ: Requires singular knowledge of a specialized advanced professional discipline or the highest level of general business knowledge, normally acquired through attainment of a directly job-related terminal degree or equivalent formal training in a recognized field of specialization that is directly related to the type of work being performed. No experience is required.

All positions at the University of Houston-System are security sensitive and will require a criminal history check.

The University of Houston System and its universities are Equal Opportunity Institutions. Everyone is encouraged to apply.