Postdoctoral Fellowship

Overview: A Postdoctoral Fellowship position is available in the MiCOR program at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) in Bethesda, Maryland, led by Drs. Mark Haigney (MiCOR Director; Professor of Medicine and Director of Cardiology), Jason Lavender, PhD (MiCOR Director of Behavioral Research; Associate Professor of Medicine), and Alaric Franzos (MiCOR Director of Biomedical Research; Associate Professor of Medicine). Secondary mentorship will be provided by Dr. Marian Tanofsky-Kraff, PhD, Professor and Vice Chair of Research, Department of Medical & Clinical Psychology.

The MiCOR program focuses on enhancing the cardiovascular health and well-being of military populations through innovative clinical research, including evaluating novel prevention and treatment approaches. MiCOR research studies address behavioral and biomedical factors and conditions that contribute to cardiometabolic health risk. A primary focus of behavioral studies within the program is the prevention or reduction of eating disorder symptoms, excess weight gain, and stress/affect concerns to improve long-term cardiometabolic outcomes. All MiCOR studies are developed with military relevance in mind, and research populations include active-duty military personnel, retirees, and their dependents, as well as civilian youth and adults.

Duties and Opportunities: The MiCOR program is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow with a doctorate in clinical or counseling psychology. The position will involve various clinical research duties, including provision of individual and/or group psychotherapy and behavioral interventions as part of randomized controlled trials (primarily targeting disordered eating and/or excess weight gain), as well as administration of semi-structured psychological interviews for behavioral and biomedical research studies within the MiCOR program. Fellows will be involved in performing research tasks related to these studies, as well as supervising research coordinators, and graduate students in relevant research duties. In addition, Fellows will have opportunities to develop and author peer-reviewed manuscripts and scientific conference presentations, develop and implement their own independent research projects (with potential for program pilot funding), participate in educational and career development trainings and workshops, and become involved in other ongoing research studies in the program.

The position offers a competitive full-time salary with benefits. The successful candidate will be hired through The Metis Foundation, which is a 501c (3) specifically organized to advance clinically relevant scientific research to the medical community, especially within the Department of Defense (DoD). A two-year commitment is requested.

Specific opportunities include:

- Research mentorship by experts in eating disorders, behavioral treatments, randomized-controlled trials, ecological momentary assessment, and multi-method research designs

- Training in semi-structured interviews focusing on disordered eating, general psychopathology, and other psychosocial domains

- Training in novel and empirically-supported psychotherapies and behavioral prevention and intervention programs focused on disordered eating (e.g., cognitive-behavioral and interpersonal and interventions)

- Potential for program funding to support pilot research project

- First and co-authorship of peer-reviewed manuscripts and scientific conference presentations

- Working and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team of researchers with expertise in clinical psychology, health psychology, cardiology, and other medical disciplines

- Mentoring and supervising junior trainees and research staff

- Potential for growth and upward mobility within MiCOR or USU

Qualifications:

(a) Required - A PhD or PsyD in clinical or counseling psychology (from APA-accredited graduate and internship programs) obtained by the start date for the position. Must be able to obtain applicable Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) certifications, and meet requirements to obtain a DoD Common Access Card.

(b) Preferred (but not required) - Some prior clinical and/or research experience working with individuals with eating or weight disorders, training in empirically-supported treatments, and/or experience working with military populations.

Physical Capabilities: Long periods of sitting and occasionally escorting research participants within work space.

Work Environment: Hybrid (onsite and offsite); some evening and/or weekend hours.

Application Process: To apply, candidates for the position should submit a cover letter (detailing your research and clinical experiences, as well as your interest and fit for the position), CV, and 3 reference letters. . Applications will be reviewed as they are received (Summer or Fall 2024 start date; timing negotiable).

Metis Foundation is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents, in lieu of stated minimums, require the prior approval of the Director of Human Resources.

Job Types: Full-time, Contract

Pay: $60,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Doctorate (Required)

Experience:

• Clinical research: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: In person