Training Opportunities

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. 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 understanding and intervening on eating disorder symptoms, stress/affect concerns, and behavioral health in relation to 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 doctoral degree in psychology (clinical, counseling, or health preferred, but any area will be considered). The position will involve various clinical research duties, including administration of semi-structured psychological interviews for behavioral and biomedical research studies within the MiCOR program, as well as delivering individual and/or group interventions in behavioral trials (primarily targeting disordered eating, affect/stress, or related concerns). 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. 

 

- Research mentorship by experts in eating disorders, behavioral interventions, clinical trials, ecological momentary assessment, and multi-method research designs

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

- Potential for program funding to support pilot research project

- Training in grant development and writing

- 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 

 

(a) Required - A PhD or PsyD in psychology (if clinical or counseling, must be from an APA-accredited graduate and internship program) 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 behavioral treatments, and/or experience working with military populations. 

Application Process: To apply, candidates for the position should submit a cover letter (addressing your research and/or clinical experiences as relevant, as well as your interest and fit for the position), CV, and 3 reference letters at this site. Any questions about the position can be sent to Dr. Jason Lavender (jason.lavender.ctr@usuhs.edu). Application review will begin March 1, and will continue on a rolling basis (Summer or Fall 2024 start date, timing negotiable).