Now Open: Postdoctoral Research Scholar Summer/Fall 2023 Position Available
Program Goal
The primary goal of our program is to train research scientists in the development and use of basic theories and research in psychology to elucidate issues in mental and physical health. The focus of the program is on research training in the integration of biological, psychological, social, ethnic/racial, and cultural levels of analysis to study mental health in relation to physical health. Quantitative methods, diversity science, biological mechanisms, and translational science, including research with clinical populations, are training strengths of the program. Research goals that integrate new ways of investigating psychopathology in line with the RDoC are welcomed. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/research-priorities/rdoc/index.shtml Persons from underrepresented groups, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Program Structure
One scholar will be appointed for two years beginning July to September 2023. A postdoctoral scholar enters the program with a designated primary and secondary faculty mentor. Individualized plans of supervised research (IDPs), involvement in labs, and appropriate coursework are designed by each trainee with mentors and approved by training directors.
Faculty
The program is led by Professors Chris Dunkel Schetter (Director), Julie Bower (Co-Director). and Annette Stanton (Co-Director). Nearly 20 faculty in psychology and other departments and schools at UCLA serve as faculty mentors in the program. These individuals have expertise in the following areas: Biological processes in mental and physical health; Psychoneuroimmunology; Stress, coping, and social support processes; Maternal and child health; Ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic influences on mental and physical health. See website for full list of program faculty and their areas of research expertise: https://health.psych.ucla.edu/fellowships/. You may consult Director Dunkel Schetter regarding currently available primary and secondary mentors.
Requirements
Applicants must have completed a Ph.D. from any area of psychology. In order to qualify for this federally funded grant, an applicant must be a U.S. citizen, a non-citizen national, or a foreign national possessing a visa permitting permanent residence in the U.S. Applicants are not eligible if they have received 3 years of prior PHS support.
Stipend
Stipend levels are set by the NIMH and depend on years of post-doctoral experience.
How to Apply
Applicants should send a brief letter describing: (1) their background, (2) area(s) of interest and possible mentors, (3) proposed objectives for the fellowship. A curriculum vitae and selected prints/reprints should be included. Applicants should also arrange for three letters of reference to be sent directly to the email address below. All correspondence should be addressed to:
Chris Dunkel Schetter
Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry
UCLA Department of Psychology
dunkel@psych.ucla.edu
We review applications and conduct ZOOM or in-person interviews to make final decisions. Postdoctoral offers are made on the basis of the strength of the applicant, fit with the program, and maintenance of a balance of interests among the faculty mentors. Review of applications is ongoing and will continue until the position is filled. Last date for application is January 1.
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NIMH T32 Biobehavioral Issues in Mental and Physical Health
The primary goal of this program is to train research scientists in the development and application of basic theories and research in psychology to issues of physical and mental health and their interrelationship. Our program for predoctoral students and postdoctoral fellows includes coursework and intensive supervised research in laboratory, clinical, and community settings. The program faculty has strong expertise in a number of important biobehavioral processes relevant to mental health and physical illness including stress processes, racial and ethnic disparities, comorbidities across the lifespan, and health promotion and prevention. These areas of concentration in the program are supplemented by expertise among the faculty in human and animal models of specific mental disorders and physical diseases. All predoctoral and postdoctoral fellows must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States, and applicants are not eligible if they have received 3 years of prior PHS support. Under-represented minorities are encouraged to apply.
Specifics on Predoctoral Fellowships
The NIMH training grant currently funds 2 to 4 fellowships for predoctoral trainees in health psychology or other areas of psychology. Students are typically appointed in their second or third year of training and are usually funded for two years. The training grant pays for tuition and fees and provides an annual stipend set by NIH ($25,320 per year in 2020-2021), plus health insurance, conference travel funds, and some training-related expenses. Invitations to apply for openings are circulated to all Psychology graduate students when they occur, typically in March. All trainees have a primary and secondary sponsor among the training faculty.
Specifics on Postdoctoral Fellowships
The NIMH training grant currently funds 2 fellowships for postdoctoral trainees focusing on mental health as it intersects with any of our other areas of expertise. Applicants must have completed a PhD in an accredited psychology program or related field. Openings are advertised and inquiries are accepted at any time. Each postdoctoral fellow enters the program with a designated primary and secondary faculty mentor, one of which is typically from the core faculty.
Core Faculty – Department/School
Director: Chris Dunkel Schetter, Distinguished Professor of Psychology/Psychiatry
CoDirectors: Julienne Bower, Professor of Psychology/ Psychiatry
Annette Stanton, Distinguished Professor of Psychology/Psychiatry and Chair of Psychology
Affiliated Faculty/Mentors – Department/School
Bridget Callaghan, Assistant Professor of Psychology
Judith Carroll, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences
Denise Chavira, Professor of Psychology
Steve Cole, Professor of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Professor of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences
Michelle Craske, Distinguished Professor of Psychology
Naomi Eisenberger, Professor of Psychology
Craig Enders, Professor of Psychology
Michael Fanselow, Distinguished Professor of Psychology
Michael Irwin, Cousins Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Distinguished Professor of Psychology, Director of Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology
Katherine Karlsgodt, Associate Professor of Psychology
Anna Lau, Professor of Psychology
Steve Lee, Professor of Psychology
Amanda Montoya, Assistant Professor of Psychology
Lauren Ng, Assistant Professor of Psychology
Lara Ray, Professor of Psychology
Theodore Robles, Professor of Psychology
Teresa Seeman, Professor of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, Professor of Epidemiology at the Fielding School of Public Health and of Medicine
Jennifer Silvers, Assistant Professor of Psychology
Jennifer Sumner, Assistant Professor of Psychology