Postdoctoral Fellowship
Prevention and Treatment of Disordered Eating and Excess Weight Gain
Military Cardiovascular Outcomes Research Program (MiCOR)
Metis Foundation, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Overview: Postdoctoral fellowship positions are available in the MiCOR program at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) in Bethesda, Maryland, led by Mark Haigney, MD (Director), Marian Tanofsky-Kraff, PhD (Research Director), and Jason Lavender, PhD (Deputy Research Director). This multidisciplinary program supports randomized clinical trials, particularly in active-duty military personnel, retirees, and their dependents, to examine state-of-the-art behavioral approaches for preventing and treating conditions that increase risk for poor cardiometabolic health. A primary focus of these behavioral approaches is the prevention or reduction of disordered eating, excess weight gain, and affect and stress concerns.
Duties and Opportunities: The MiCOR program is seeking postdoctoral fellows 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 a variety of semi-structured psychological interviews for research studies within the MiCOR program. Fellows will also be involved in performing research tasks related to these clinical trials, as well as supervising research assistants and graduate students in relevant research duties. In addition, fellows will have opportunities to develop and author peer-reviewed manuscripts and scientific conference presentations, 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, and will provide postdoctoral hours and supervision necessary for licensure. 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:
- Training and supervision in both novel and empirically-supported psychotherapies and behavioral prevention and intervention programs focused on disordered eating and excess weight gain (e.g., interpersonal, cognitive-behavioral, and mindfulness-based interventions).
- Training and supervision in semi-structured interviews focusing on disordered eating, general psychopathology, and other psychosocial domains.
- Research mentorship by experts in eating and weight disorders, psychotherapy development and evaluation, randomized-controlled trials, and multi-method research designs.
- Working and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team of researchers with expertise in clinical psychology, medical psychology, cardiology, and other medical disciplines.
- Authorship of peer-reviewed manuscripts and scientific conference presentations.
- 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, or experience working with military populations.
Physical Capabilities: Long periods of sitting and occasionally escorting participants within work space.
Work Environment: Office work space; some evening and/or weekend hours.
Application Process: To apply, candidates for the position should submit a cover letter (detailing your clinical and research experiences, as well as your interest and fit for the position) and current CV here. Additionally, 3 letters of reference should be emailed directly by the letter writers to Dr. Jason Lavender (jason.lavender.ctr@usuhs.edu). Any questions about the position can also be sent to this address. Applications will be reviewed as they are received (Spring, Summer, or Fall 2022 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.