Center of Alcohol and Substance Use Studies and the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey 

Position Description: 

This is a two-year endowed post-doctoral clinical research fellowship available to clinical psychologists and other social scientists (e.g., from health related fields such as sociology, social work, public health, psychiatric rehabilitation) from an accredited institution interested in developing their professional trajectory towards translational research on interventions and treatments for traumatic stress and addictions and wellness promotion. Trainees are expected to conduct research in areas that could range from:  

• conducting systematic reviews, meta-analyses or secondary, integrative data analyses of clinical trials seeking to identify mechanisms or moderators of change.  
• developing or modifying interventions or a combination of behavioral therapies to the treatment of traumatic stress and addictions.  
• testing technology or mobile health applications of evidence-based treatments.  
• studying implementation and dissemination of evidence-based treatments in the community.   
  
   
  The training program is designed to impart the skills necessary for submitting successful career development (LRP and K) awards. The emphasis on translational clinical research will require competitive applicants to demonstrate an interest in mentorship from an interdisciplinary team of scientists who will help build knowledge in a number of relevant domains, including (but not limited to) clinical trials, cognitive and affective neuroscience, and implementation science. 
  
   
  Trainees will be mentored in core domains of translational research in addictions and trauma treatment including:  
  
  (1) experimental medicine and clinical trials methods and design,  
  
  (2) translational neuroscience relating to stress models in animals and humans, 
  
  (3) biostatistics,  
  
  (4) research design, management, and ethics,  
  
  (5) scientific writing and oral presentation, and  
  
  (6) grant preparation.  
  
  
  The training program is led by a group of internationally recognized researchers with strong records in addiction-focused clinical trials including psychological and psychopharmacological interventions, cardiac neuroscience, SCAN-based (social, cognitive and affective) neuroscience, neuroimaging, and prevention research. Faculty include Brandon Alderman, Ph.D., Marsha Bates, Ph.D., Alex Bauer, PhD., Jennifer Buckman, Ph.D., Angelo Di Bello, Ph.D., Denise Hien, Ph.D., ABPP, Shireen Rizvi, Ph. D, ABPP, Tanya Saraiya, PhD., and Peggy Swarbrick, Ph.D., FAOTA. Candidates can elect to work in any of the numerous laboratories affiliated with the program.  

Trainees who are interested may have opportunities to receive supervised clinical hours at the Dialectical Behavior Therapies Clinic at Rutgers University (DBT-RU) or brief addiction treatment in sports psychology. Trainees must apply for a limited permit from the State of New Jersey.  

The Center of Alcohol & Substance Use Studies (CAS), located on the Busch Campus of Rutgers University, is a multidisciplinary research and training institute, which performs clinical and biomedical research on alcohol and substance use disorders. CAS serves as a home to clinical and biomedical researchers and clinical practitioners across Rutgers University schools and programs, as well as an illustrious group of affiliated scientists outside of the university. The Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP) is home to CAS, with strong ties to Department of Psychiatry; University Behavioral Health Care; the Brain Health Institute; Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging; School of Health Professions, and the School of Public Health. 

GSAPP’s commitment to diversity, social justice and helping the underserved contributes to a supportive and mission-focused training. We place a high degree of emphasis on fostering and encouraging a diverse community of faculty and students and on supporting research/practice that benefits diverse and under-served communities. Applicants who can contribute in this valued direction are particularly encouraged to apply. More information on our school and centers can be found at: http://gsappweb.rutgers.edu 

To Apply:  

Applicants should email a cover letter describing how their knowledge and experience are matched to this position, a CV, and three references to: Margaret Swarbrick swarbrma@rutgers.edu  

To ensure your complete application arrives intact, compile the application materials into a single PDF document labeled with your last name, first initial. Note:If your mentors prefer to submit their letters separately, please request that they indicate your full name in their email. 

Qualifications: 

• PhD in clinical psychology, or from another social science or related behavioral health field from an accredited institution.  
• A publication track record, experience in addiction and traumatic stress is required.  
• Interest in statistical modeling is a plus.  
  
  Application deadline:  November 15, 2023 
  Start Date:  September 1, 2024  
  Salary: $53,743.00 with benefits