MAY/JUNE 2004
Volume 10 - No. 2
SRNT Newsletter
May/June 2004, Volume 10, Number 2
Position Openings (Postdoctoral)
The Scripps Research Institute: Postdoctoral Position in Behavioural Neuroscience within an international multidisciplinary academia-industry research team. In response to an NIMH/NIDA initiative to strengthen academic/industry collaborations and to advance drug discovery, we have received NIH funding for a multidisciplinary project aimed at furthering knowledge of pharmacological treatments for depression and nicotine dependence, and developing animal models of depression. The post-doctoral position will based at the Department of Neuropharmacology of The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, U.S.A and will involve visits and interactions with the Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland, and with NIH staff. This position will involve the study of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying depression, antidepressant activity, and nicotine dependence. The candidate should have a strong background in psychopharmacology and/or behavioral neuroscience, with an interest in psychiatric disorders and/or drug dependence. Experience with rodent survival surgery, intravenous drug self-administration, and intracranial self-stimulation is desirable. Applicants with a strong background in molecular biology with an interest to expand their expertise to behavioral pharmacology are also encouraged to apply. The successful applicant will be a highly motivated individual with good communication skills and interest and experience in molecular biology, psychopharmacology and/or drug discovery as they relate to psychiatric disorders and drug dependence. The ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team and to travel and liaise between the Basel and La Jolla sites is essential. For further information and to apply, contact Dr. Athina Markou, amarkou@scripps.edu. To apply, please send: (1) a short letter of intent outlining your suitability for position; and (2) a copy of your CV that includes the names and full addresses of three references.
University of Colorado Health Sciences Center: Post-doctoral position in Molecular Neurobiology of the Human Nicotinic Receptor Gene Family. This position is open immediately for study of the molecular neurobiology of human nicotinic receptors in both mental illness and nicotine addiction. Expression and function of nicotinic receptors are being studied in human postmortem brain and in blood leukocytes from both schizophrenic and control subjects, smokers and non-smokers. Rodent models are also being studied. Several projects are open: (1) Characterization of receptor subunits by ligand binding in smokers and non-smokers; (2) Steroid regulation of gene promoter activity; and (3) Microarray studies in postmortem brain of smokers and non-smokers. Applicants should have a Ph.D. in molecular biology, pharmacology, neuroscience, or a related field, with a background in the measurement of expression and function. The stipend will be commensurate with qualifications. Please send curriculum vitae and three references to:Sherry Leonard, Ph.D., Department of Psychiatry, Box C-268-71, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, 4200 E. 9th Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80262 (Sherry.Leonard@UCHSC.edu). The University of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer.
University of Kansas Medical Center: The Department of Preventive Medicine at the University of Kansas Medical Center has six post-doctoral fellowship positions available. Candidates should have training in behavioral medicine, clinical psychology, social psychology, counseling psychology, health education, medical sociology, health services research, or related disciplines. Applicants should have excellent interpersonal skills and strong training in applied research. All positions provide mentored training with an opportunity to develop research skills and collaborate with a dynamic, federally funded, multi-disciplinary team of more than 24 researchers including psychologists, physicians, epidemiologists, and statisticians. The position will be a 2-3 year appointment with a flexible start date, competitive salary, excellent resources for career development (funding for conference travel, books, training, etc), and liberal benefits. The fellowship can be tailored to suit the individualÕs training requirements with opportunity for gaining teaching experience, clinical work, funding to obtain a M.P.H. degree, and authorship on relevant manuscripts. The Department of Preventive Medicine is a dynamic and growing department with a strong track record in assisting students and junior faculty engage in mentored research and obtain independent funding. The department has close ties with the Kansas Cancer Institute, the Center on Aging, the Department of Health Policy and Management, and the Schools of Nursing and Allied Health. The University of Kansas Medical Center, a full-service, tertiary care center, is the medical training facility for the state of Kansas and provides a stimulating academic environment. Available positions include: Two post-doctoral research fellowship positions in behavioral medicine/health psychology with an emphasis on nicotine dependence/smoking cessation research; one post-doctoral research fellowship position in nutrition, obesity and/or physical activity intervention research; one postdoctoral research fellowship in health services research and outcomes research; one postdoctoral research fellowship in breast cancer health services research and outcomes research; one post-doctoral research fellowship position in disparities in health care. Send letter of interest, CV, and three references or support letters to: Dr. Jasjit S. Ahluwalia, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Chair and Professor, Department of Preventive Medicine, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., Kansas City, KS 66160-7313 (jahluwal@kumc.edu). EO/AA.
University of Mississippi Medical Center: Health Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship in Primary Care. The Departments of Family Medicine, Medicine, and Diagnostic Sciences at the University of Mississippi Medical Center are accepting applications for a 2-year postdoctoral fellowship in health psychology. The program prepares psychologists to work in academic settings by providing extensive supervised clinical, teaching, and research experience. Fifty percent time is focused on clinical and teaching activities with 50% time devoted to tobacco research. Preference will be given to those candidates who are scientist-practitioners with a background in behavior therapies and research interest/experience in addictive behaviors. Salary is $33,000 with liberal benefits. Appointment date is flexible between July and September, 2004. Send letter of intent, curriculum vitae, representative publications, and three recommendation letters to Patrick O. Smith, Ph.D., UMMC, Family Medicine, 2500 North State Street, Jackson MS 39216 or via email to posmith@familymed.umsmed.edu. For additional information call (601) 984-5425, email, and/or visit our website (http://familymed.umc.edu/). EEO, M/F/D/V.
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center: Post-doctoral position in human behavioral pharmacology of nicotine. A post-doctoral position in the behavioral pharmacology of nicotine in humans may be available in the laboratory of Dr. Kenneth A. Perkins at the University of Pittsburgh. Ongoing NIDA-supported projects focus on: (1) environmental modulation of nicotine responses and tobacco self-administration, (2) individual differences associated with sensitivity to nicotine, including gender, genetic, and personality factors. Applicants also interested in clinical research may become involved in smoking cessation studies. Interested candidates should send a C.V. and letter of interest to Dr. Perkins at the following address: Kenneth A. Perkins, Ph.D., Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 3811 OÕHara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, voice: (412) 246-5395, fax: (412) 246-5390, email: perkinska@upmc.edu, website: http://myprofile.cos.com/perkinsk31.
Virginia Commonwealth University, Clinical Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory (CBPL). The CBPL at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) has an immediate opening for a post-doctoral researcher. The CBPL is an active research facility specializing in tobacco and nicotine research with human participants in a controlled setting. Primary research areas include: (1) Investigating potential gender differences in response to nicotine replacement medications; (2) Developing laboratory models for evaluating potential reduced exposure products for tobacco users; (3) Understanding the effects of tobacco use in adolescents; (4) Examining the effects of water-pipe use in smokers in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Other areas of research include the abuse liability of stimulants, analgesic properties of opioids, and potential therapeutic effectiveness of smoked marijuana relative to oral THC. Emphasis will be placed on honing the skills needed to become an independent investigator. This post-doctoral researcher will be given opportunities to co-manage multiple projects in a dynamic research and learning environment, prepare scientific manuscripts and obtain publications, and receive training and feedback in grant-writing. Previous CBPL alumnae have successfully transitioned into university and pharmaceutical industry settings. The ideal candidate will have a Ph.D. in psychology or a related field, and will possess excellent written and oral communications skills. Experience with research using human participants is preferred. Salary will be consistent with NIH levels, and the maximum duration for this position is two years. Richmond, Virginia is an affordable and historic city with many entertainment options. It is well-situated within 90 minutesÕ drive from the Chesapeake Bay, Shenandoah Mountains, and Washington, DC. To apply, please e-mail a cover letter describing your interests and a C.V. with names and contact information for three references to Dr. Thomas Eissenberg at teissenb@vcu.edu. Address snail-mail to: Department of Psychology and Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Box 980205, Richmond, VA 23298-0205.
Virginia Commonwealth University, Department of Psychiatry, Division of Addiction Psychiatry: A 2-year postdoctoral fellowship position is available for a psychologist with interest and experience in clinical research on health psychology and/or substance abuse. The fellow will serve as research clinician and help to coordinate a NIDA-funded research project and may have roles on other federal and state grants depending on interest and experience. The primary project is a behavioral therapy development study targeting addictive behaviors and non-adherence in people with HIV/AIDS located in Richmond, Virginia. The position offers the opportunity to join an active multi-disciplinary research group with studies of addiction in medical populations. There are generally 2-3 psychology fellows as well as psychiatry residents and trainees in our division at any time, providing important peers for the fellow. In addition, VCU has a large interdisciplinary Institute on Drug and Alcohol Studies providing numerous opportunities for learning and collaboration. We have a diverse faculty with strong female role models and especially encourage applications from female and minority applicants. We also have a history of offering faculty positions to successful postdoctoral fellows. Virginia Commonwealth University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Ongoing research: Examples of current clinical research projects include prevention of alcohol exposed pregnancy, improving adherence to medications in people with HIV, developing combination behavioral and medication treatment of chronic pain, treatment of perinatal addiction, smoking cessation in female prisoners, management of alcohol withdrawal, prevention of tobacco dependence in adolescents, and smoking cessation in people with HIV/AIDS. Many of our projects utilize a motivational interviewing approach. Some of our faculty also conduct bench research on drugs of abuse. Career opportunities: The fellow will gain valuable research and publication experience working on federally funded projects and will be mentored in writing his/her own training, career development, or minority supplement grant to fund independent research. In addition, the fellow will receive training in motivational interviewing and supervision toward licensure. Clinical experience may include working with a variety of medical/substance abuse populations such as people with HIV, impaired health professionals, psychiatric patients, candidates for transplantation, pancreatitis patients, etc. The fellow may also have the opportunity to provide clinical supervision for counseling staff. Benefits: The salary is competitive and may be supplemented with the federal loan repayment program. Individual health insurance and vacation time are included as benefits. Requirements: A doctoral degree in clinical, counseling, or health psychology is required. We expect the successful applicant to have strong clinical experience with health psychology or substance abuse populations, excellent interpersonal skills, and a solid background in statistics and publication. Experience with motivational interviewing or person-centered psychotherapy optimal. Application Process: Review of applications will begin March 22, 2004, and continue until the position is filled. Start date is anticipated for August, 2004, or as negotiated. Inquiries are encouraged and should be directed to kingerso@vcu.edu. Send cover letter, CV, and three letters of recommendation to: Karen Ingersoll Ph.D., Division of Addiction Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Va., 23298-0109