Physician Research Postdoctoral Fellowship
VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System
Pittsburgh, PA 15240
https://www.va.gov/pittsburgh-health-care/
Advanced Fellowship Program in Mental Illness Research and Treatment
Overview: The Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC) at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System (VAPHS) is recruiting clinical psychologists, physicians, nurses, and other associated health clinicians for a 2-year clinical research fellowship program. The primary goal of the fellowship program is to train MD and PhD postdoctoral fellows to become leaders in Precision Mental Health Care research—including basic and clinical sciences, and health services research with the aim of enhancing the efficacy and impact of evidence-based treatments for Veterans with mental illness. Within the broad scope of Precision Mental Health Care, our MIRECC focuses on research that targets: 1) identification, validation and incorporation of putative biomarkers/other measures of disease, disorder and problems for incorporation in evidence-based care, 2) development of intervention tools, treatment algorithms and decision aids, to influence treatment choice, treatment planning and program management (integral to precision mental health care), and 3) the incorporation of implementation science in the translation and implementation of the products of precision mental health science to practice. The long-term mission of MIRECC-funded research and training is to improve the mental and physical health, quality of life, and outcomes of healthcare services for Veterans with mental illness.
Program Description: This interdisciplinary program aims to train clinical psychologists, physicians, nurses, social workers and other associated health graduates to become outstanding clinical researchers in high priority areas of mental health. Individualized, mentored research and clinical training is combined with a state-of-the-art curriculum that emphasizes research methods, statistics, epidemiology, mental health systems, quality improvement methods, education, and service delivery that center on the whole person. Training in professional skills includes manuscript preparation, grant writing, project management, networking, and the responsible conduct of research. Fellowship sites across the national network of VA Advanced Fellowship training sites are linked electronically for didactic, academic, and research efforts. Our center strives to foster a climate of cultural awareness, humility, and inclusivity among the Veterans we care for and our employees. We celebrate diversity and are committed to a professional environment that is positive, respectful, and supportive of cultural and individual differences.
Fellows devote the majority of their time to patient-oriented research and education activities and 25% to direct patient clinical care. In collaboration with their mentors, fellows will develop and implement a research project, publish, and present findings, participate in grant writing, and utilize the latest technology for educational activities and clinical service delivery. MD applicants must have completed ACGME-accredited residency training, be board eligible or board certified, and have an active, unrestricted U.S. license to practice. The VA funds fellows' stipends in amounts based on previously completed ACGME-accredited residency training.
Faculty: Mentees often have dual mentorship including a mentor from the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) in addition to VAPHS. Based on your research focus, Pitt/VA investigators not listed can participate on mentorship teams as appropriate. Research must be conducted primarily at the VA. Available research mentors (and interests) from VAPHS (bolded) and the University of Pittsburgh include:
- Howard Aizenstein, MD (neuroimaging, late-life mood disorders)
- Adam Bramoweth, PhD (sleep, implementation science)
- Meryl Butters, PhD (late-life cognition, dementia)
- Daniel Buysse, MD (sleep interventions, neurobiology of sleep)
- Judith Callan, PhD, RN (technology interventions, CBT, mood D/O)
- Matthew Chinman, PhD (implementation science, peer support)
- Fabio Ferrarelli, MD, PhD (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, SMI)
- Zachary Freyberg, MD, PhD (basic science of psychiatric disorders)
- Ariel Gildengers, MD (late-life bipolar disorder)
- Gretchen Haas, PhD (suicide, social cognition, psychosis)
- Brant Hasler, PhD (sleep, circadian rhythm)
- Heeyoung Lee, PhD (schizophrenia, clinical trials)
- Faith Luyster, PhD (sleep, digital interventions, comorbidities)
- Vishwajit Nimgaonkar, MD (genetics, predictive analytics)
- Konasale Prasad, MD (neuroimaging, genetics, schizophrenia)
- Armando Rotondi, PhD (e-health, SMI)
- Dean Salisbury, PhD (neurophysiology, schizophrenia)
- Greg Siegle, PhD (neuroimaging, affective disorders)
- Isabella Soreca, MD (sleep, SMI)
- Stuart Steinhauer, PhD (psychophysiology, psychosis)
- Robert Sweet, MD (neurobiology of psychosis)
- Katalin Szanto, MD (late-life suicide)
- David Volk, MD, PhD (cortical circuitry in schizophrenia)
Application Due Date: Review of applications is rolling with an application deadline of March 1, 2024. The program is observing COVID safety precautions. Interview arrangements (virtual or in-person) will be made accordingly.
How to Apply: Interested physicians who meet the eligibility requirements should send a cover letter, CV, transcripts, and three letters of recommendation to Gretchen L. Haas, PhD (haasgl@upmc.edu) and Sara Chapman, MS, OTR/L (sara.chapman@va.gov). The cover letter should specify the reasons for your interest in this particular fellowship training program, a brief overview of your previous clinical and research experiences, investigators you are interested in working with, and how you see this program promoting your professional and career goals.
Click here for more information about the fellowship and the VISN 4 MIRECC.
Updated 1/23/2024
