Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, Treatment Dissemination and Implementation Research with Children/Youth, University of Pittsburgh

In the context of a post-doctoral research fellowship in the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine/Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (WPIC), candidates are actively sought for a program that specializes in translational research at the university and community (efficacy-effectiveness) interface. The program trains clinical-researchers in the skills necessary to design and conduct treatment dissemination/implementation trials in “real-world” settings.

WPIC’s portfolio includes clinical trials and programs that draw upon the application of evidence based treatments for child/adolescent populations (e.g., behavior problems/disorders, adolescent sexual offending, child physical abuse/family conflict/trauma) in community settings/systems that have become increasingly involved in the delivery of mental health services (e.g., pediatric primary care, juvenile justice, child welfare, community mental health). Some of our current effectiveness trials and dissemination/training efforts involve applications of an evidence-based intervention for families involved in verbal and physical aggression, including child physical abuse (Alternatives for Families: A Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy). WPIC is committed to promoting and evaluating the integration of collaborative, evidence based, mental health services for pediatric behavioral and emotional problems in primary-care, family medicine, and other healthcare programs, based largely on clinical trials conducted in the Services for Kids in Primary-care program.

Fellows are encouraged to contribute to and/or manage clinical trials, develop treatment research grant applications, and disseminate products having scientific, practice, and policy implications. In all of these venues, opportunities are provided to work with research investigators and community leaders/practitioners on projects that integrate clinical assessments, extend treatment guidelines to real-world settings, and train/collaborate with professionals in multiple service sectors.

Individuals with a Ph.D. in psychology (clinical/quantitative preferred) from an APA-accredited program with interests in addressing the efficacy-effectiveness continuum, potential for excellence in scholarship/academic research, and the ability to work creatively and collaboratively are encouraged to apply. A good grounding in CBT/parent training with children/adolescents and their families, community-based participatory research, and applied research in developmental psychopathology, as well as exposure to vulnerable and undeserved populations, is encouraged. Candidates for this NIMH-funded, T-32 fellowship must be U.S. citizens. Fellows have an opportunity to interact with some of the country’s leading clinical treatment researchers in child/adolescent psychology and psychiatry, and adult psychiatry. There has been a high success rate among post-doctoral fellows who have sought external (federal) funding for research.

WPIC is consistently ranked at or near the top of all federal grant recipients among university departments and departments of psychiatry based on a substantial portfolio that includes research and research training projects relevant to mental health disorders and behavioral treatments, NIH Career Development Awards (K Awards), and post-doctoral fellows. The department has a strong commitment to training, research, and clinical service.

For more information, view the fellowship website.

For preliminary discussions:

Please contact David J. Kolko, Ph.D., Professor of Psychiatry, Psychology, Pediatrics, and Clinical and Translational Science.