"Postdoctoral Fellow, Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics"

Job Details

Benefits: All VCU employee types are eligible for a wide array of benefits to support you during your employment at VCU. Consult the benefits website for information on benefits eligibility according to employee type. Detailed information about each benefit can be found at https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/benefits/postdoctoral-employee-benefits/

Unit: School Of Medicine MBU

Department: Psychiatry

Duties & Responsibilities:

Dr. Ruth Brown and the HOPE Lab at the Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics (VIPBG) and VCU School of Medicine are seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow to work on a multi-site grant focusing on mental health and developmental regression in youth and adults with Down syndrome. The HOPE Lab is dedicated to eliminating the mental health disparities experienced by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The postdoctoral fellow will play a pivotal role in the HOPE Lab’s mission to improve mental health awareness, measurement, and service delivery for individuals with IDD. This is an exciting opportunity for a clinical psychologist or related professional who is passionate about conducting impactful research, mentoring junior team members, and advancing their academic career through robust professional development opportunities.

While in-person work is strongly preferred, remote or hybrid arrangements may be considered in extenuating circumstances.

Key Responsibilities:

Study Management & Oversight:
-Supervise and guide the Research Coordinator to ensure efficient and compliant execution of the multi-site study on Down syndrome Regression Disorder.
-Coordinate study-related tasks, timelines, and deliverables, fostering strong collaboration within the research team.

Research & Data Analysis:
-Lead data collection efforts (medical records reviews, focus groups, and psychiatric clinical diagnostic interviews for parents of youth and adults with Down syndrome).
-Conduct statistical analyses of existing and incoming datasets.
-Manage IRB protocols, ensuring full compliance and serving as the primary liaison between the research team and the IRB.

Scholarly Dissemination & Engagement:
-Prepare and publish peer-reviewed manuscripts, and present findings at national or international conferences.
-Provide workshops, information sessions, and community presentations to parent support groups and other stakeholders.

Mentoring & Professional Development:
-Mentor undergraduate research assistants and other junior team members.
-Participate in advanced training programs such as the Virginia Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (VA LEND) or Data Science certificate courses.
-Engage in professional development opportunities, including grant-writing and additional coursework relevant to clinical research and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD (or equivalent terminal degree) in Clinical Psychology.
• Demonstrated experience in human-subjects research (e.g., managing IRB protocols, supervising research projects, analyzing data) in a clinical or academic environment.
• Strong publication track record or clear evidence of scientific writing skills.
• Proven leadership and team management experience, with the ability to coordinate complex research activities and deadlines.
• Proficiency in statistical software (e.g., SPSS, R, SAS) and familiarity with data collection platforms (e.g., REDCap, Qualtrics).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to engage diverse audiences and disseminate findings.
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with neurodevelopmental or intellectual disabilities (especially Down syndrome) in either a clinical or research capacity, or willingness to learn.
• Completed or ongoing interdisciplinary/interprofessional training (e.g., LEND, leadership development programs).
• Experience conducting diagnostic interviews or clinical assessments.
• Fluency in Spanish for participant outreach and engagement.
• Strong record of peer-reviewed publications and experience presenting at academic conferences.

Salary Range: Commensurate per NIH Scale

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

ORP Eligible: Yes

Restricted: Yes

Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid

Rank: Non Faculty

Contact Name: Dr. Ruth Brown-Ennis Contact Email: ruth.brown@vcuhealth.org

Why Join Us?

• Impactful Work: Contribute to advancing the understanding and treatment of mental health in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Professional Growth: Access to extensive professional development resources, including grant writing, leadership programs, and specialized coursework.
• Collaborative Environment: Work within a vibrant academic community at VCU, partnering with faculty and students from diverse disciplines.
• Benefits & Flexibility: Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package and the potential for remote or hybrid work arrangements under special circumstances.

If you are a motivated clinical psychologist or closely related professional eager to advance the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities while developing your own research and leadership skills, we encourage you to apply.

To Apply:
Please submit your CV, a cover letter detailing your relevant experience and career goals, and contact information for three professional references. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Join us at VCU and the HOPE Lab to make a meaningful impact on the mental health of individuals with Down syndrome while furthering your own professional journey. We look forward to your application!

This is a restricted position with no set end date and continued employment is dependent upon project need, availability of funding, and performance.

This will be a minimum one-year appointment, contingent upon satisfactory annual reviews. Salary is commensurate with NIH guidelines and applicant experience.