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Position: Ph.D. Studentship in the Educational Psychology Program at the University of Alabama College of Education

The University of Alabama invites applications for the Ph.D. Program within the Educational Psychology Program (https://education.ua.edu/programs/bep/phd/). Funding is available to qualified students. Educational Psychology Ph.D. Program consists of a human development, a learning & motivation, and an educational neuroscience track with an optional concentration in educational neuroscience (additional information available here: http://edneuro.ua.edu/). Starting students select one of these tracks depending on their interests and plans for future research. We are looking for students who are interested in studying cognitive, affective, and neural mechanisms of learning and exploring educational implications in one or more domains relevant to education (e.g., mathematics learning & cognition, language development, reading, & bilingualism, gesture, moral development, motivation & affect, cognitive and behavioral disorders). Students from diverse backgrounds (e.g., education, cognitive science, neuroscience, learning sciences, STEM fields, psychology, computer science) are encouraged to apply.

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s or master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., education, cognitive science, neuroscience, psychology, STEM fields)
  • ​Interest in conducting interdisciplinary research that incorporates methods and perspectives from education, brain, and cognitive sciences
  • Interest in educational applications broadly defined
  • Ability to work with students and faculty in a variety of disciplines
  • Strong quantitative and programming skills
  • Strong writing and communication skills 

Program Faculty & Research Areas 
(All faculty open to accepting qualified Ph.D. students)
Dr. David Walker - Moral psychology & decision making, social & character development
Dr. Firat Soylu - Educational & cognitive neuroscience, mathematical cognition, STEM learning, embodied cognition, EEG/ERP, fMRI
Dr. Hyemin Han - Educational neuroscience, social neuroscience, social development, positive psychology, computational simulations, educational interventions
Dr. Jason Scofield - Child development, cognitive development, language development
Dr. Laura Morett - Gesture, language and literacy, developmental cognitive neuroscience, autism spectrum disorder, bilingualism, embodied cognition, eyetracking, EEG/ERP, fNIRS
Dr. Macarena Suarez Pellicioni - Educational neuroscience, mathematical cognition, child development, learning, fMRI, ERPs​

Start Date: August 2020

Location: The University of Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa, a city of approximately 100,000 residents in west central Alabama. Aside from hosting the winningest football team in the Southeastern Conference (Roll Tide!), Tuscaloosa offers a low cost of living and Southern hospitality and charm complemented by a vibrant downtown with a variety of restaurants and family-owned shops, a farmer’s market, an outdoor amphitheater, and a folk art center and festival.  Proximity to several state parks, the Appalachian Mountains, and the Gulf Shore provide numerous opportunities for recreational activities including hiking, mountain biking, trail running, spelunking, fishing, and camping. Nearby cities include Birmingham (< 1 hr.), Atlanta (3 hrs.), Chattanooga (3 hrs.), Nashville (3.5 hrs.), Memphis (4 hrs.), and New Orleans (4 hrs.).

Application Process: Please apply online at http://graduate.ua.edu/prospects/application/. A letter of application, curriculum vita, unofficial transcript of all coursework, GRE scores, TOEFL scores (international applicants), and three reference letters are required to complete the online application process. You should select “Educational Psychology” as your intended major, and indicate which track you are interested in your letter of application. Review of applications will begin on December 15 and will continue until April 15. Applicants seeking a graduate assistantship or a fellowship are encouraged to apply by December 15. Please contact Dr. David Walker (diwalker@ua.edu), program coordinator, if you have any questions.


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