PRR Project

Summary

Neuropsychology is one of the most popular and fastest growing fields in psychological practice. Besides being a fast-growing specialty in professional psychology, the number of published research using neuropsychological methods is growing exponentially. Neuropsychological assessment is, indeed, an extremely relevant method in this field, having contributed to improve scientific knowledge that supports clinical diagnostic information, differential diagnosis information, assessment of treatment response, and prediction of prognosis, potential or recovery, besides its value to understand, together with other methods, processes underlying neuropsychological profiles. Even in face of advances in imaging and other technological methods, neuropsychological assessment instruments continue to be an extremely relevant method, assembly today new trends of quantitative and qualitative methodologies, technology-based tools and intersection between performance based and questionnaire approaches, being useful in clinical and educational research.With this background in line, this position in neuropsychological assessment is fundamental for a RU dedicated to improving understanding of (neuro)psychological processes and develop and validate (neuro)psychological interventions, as this psychological methodology has a strong contribution for these aims. As such, the selected applicant to this position should demonstrate status and leadership records in the development, validation, and application of neuropsychological assessment instruments for clinical research and/or educational research, having also a solid academic record in the field of neuropsychology. Specifically, it is expected that the selected candidate for this position is committed with mastering and developing research trends on a) the validation of new culturally adapted neuropsychological assessment instruments of cognitive, emotional, behavioral and functional domains; b) the use of neuropsychological assessment  to contribute to diagnosis, monitoring and prognosis assignment of syndromes threatening development; c) the understanding  of several processes affecting neuropsychological status across lifespan (ex. sleep). Collaboration with other departments and research units is encouraged, particularly translational research with other scientific fields like Medicine and other Health Sciences is highly recommended. Fostering multimethod approaches required to understand neuropsychology syndromes, it is an advantage that the candidates hold extensive experience with at least one of other neuropsychological techniques (e.g. EEG, tDCS, fMRI). One of CINEICC research focus is on neuropsychological assessment and interventions, being renowned by high quality research in the field of neuropsychological assessment and with emerging studies in the use of neuropsychological assessment for the understanding of clinical syndromes, thus being critical that the candidate contributes to amplify this research line. The FPCE-UC has a strong record in neuropsychological assessment studies involving several age groups, so it is expected that the applicant will contribute to: a) coordinate research to improve high-quality tools and practices in neuropsychological assessment in clinical and educational settings; b) attract young researchers to the field, aimed to amplify a strong research team; c) establish and foster an international collaborative network of researchers, and participate in consortiums to capture competitive research funding; d) commit with knowledge transfer to relevant stakeholders in the field of neuropsychological assessment in health and educational settings, offering consultancy services, and promote knowledge transfer activities. Experience in coordinating and supervising studies in the field of neuropsychology assessment and cognitive neuropsychology is highly recommended. Becoming a core faculty member, it is expected that the candidate contributes to maintain an active research program supporting postgraduate research in neuropsychological assessment methods and in the methods for the development of neuropsychological instruments’ (tests, scales).RationaleThe CINEICC RU strategic plan is aligned with several sustainable developmental goals of the United Nations. The current position aims to empower the RU capacity to answer to several societal and health challenges, namely early diagnosis and convenient monitoring of conditions threatening normal and healthy development. By recruiting an expert in Neuropsychological Assessment, it will be possible to foster the diagnosis, monitoring and prognosis assignment of of several clinical conditions, contributing to health promotion, in alignment with the SDG 3. In addition, by introducing high-quality assessment tools in educational settings, looking forward to early intervention in face of existent threats to development and monitoring lifelong learning, we will address SDG 4.