Postdoctoral Fellow

Posting Details

Job Code/Title PD - Post Doctoral Position Number P00001 Working Title Postdoctoral Fellow Department Psychology Organizational Overview

At VCU, we Make it Real through learning, research, creativity, service and discovery — the hallmarks of the VCU experience. A premier, urban, public research university nationally recognized as one of the best employers for diversity, VCU is a great place to work. It’s a place of opportunity, where your success is supported and your career can thrive. VCU offers employees a generous leave package, career paths for advancement, competitive pay, and an opportunity to do mission-driven work.

Recruitment Pool All Applicants Anticipated Hiring Range starting at $52,704,00 Campus Monroe Park Campus Position Type Post Doc Hours/Week 40 Normal work days M-F Normal work hours Job Category Research Does this position provide patient or clinical services to the VCU Health System? No Does this position require a pre-placement medical assessment? No Is any portion of this position grant-funded? Yes - Continuation of this position depends on funding of the grant. Sensitive Position No Resource Critical No Description of the Job

We invite applications for a postdoctoral position in the EDGE laboratory (Examining Development, Genes, and Environments) at Virginia Commonwealth University (edge.vcu.edu). The primary focus in the EDGE lab is studying genetic and environmental influences on the development of substance use and related behavioral outcomes.

The successful applicant(s) will have the opportunity to work across gene identification studies; longitudinal, community-based samples with genotypic data; and twin studies. Current projects for which there is active grant funding include (1) The Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism, a large family-based study of alcohol use disorder and related outcomes, aimed at gene identification and mapping risk and recovery across the lifespan; (2) the Externalizing Consortium, focused on multivariate analyses aimed at gene identification for externalizing outcomes, and characterizing the risk associated with identified variants across development and in conjunction with the environment; (3) the Finnish Twin Studies, population-based samples of Finnish twins and their families who have been followed longitudinally from ages 12 through mid-life; and (4) the Genetics, Marriage, and Divorce project, which leverages molecular and latent genetic methods to understand the indirect, ‘outside-the-skin’ pathways through which genetic risk for alcohol problems is transmitted and exacerbated in families. Across these projects, we are examining issues such as how genetic and environmental influences change across development; trajectories of risk associated with identified genes; environmental factors that alter risk pathways; genetic influences on subtypes and intermediary phenotypes associated with substance use problems; and the mediating and moderating mechanisms involved in gene-behavior associations.

The EDGE Lab is a multidisciplinary team consisting of psychologists, geneticists, and biostatisticians, all housed together in the College of Humanities and Sciences. An ideal opportunity for a strong developmental/clinical psychologist who wants to expand their training in genetics, or for someone with a background in statistical genetics or biostatistics with an interest in expanding their work to complex behavioral outcomes.

The responsibilities of the successful applicant will include the following:
• Conduct research aligned with the scientific aims of the group under the supervision of EDGE Lab PIs, to include developing/refining research questions, pre-registering analytic plans, conducting analyses, preparing manuscripts for peer review and for conference presentations.
• Develop, in conjunction with EDGE Lab PIs, a research training and career development plan that delineates the skills to be developed as a postdoctoral fellow
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary, translational team.

The position is expected to be 2 years, with the possibility of renewal for a third year.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Psychology, Human Genetics, or closely related field

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience with structural equation modeling and other statistical methods for the analysis of longitudinal data, or prior experience with quantitative or statistical genetics

Job Open Date 10/08/2020 Remove from posting on or before Open Until Filled Yes Special Instructions to Applicants

Interested candidates should complete the online application and include a CV, a statement of research experiences and postdoctoral training goals (uploaded as “Other Document”), and the names and contact information of two references.

Additional Information

The person in this position will benefit from the rich, collaborative, interdisciplinary, and diverse training environment in the EDGE Lab, the Department of Psychology, and the University more broadly. VCU strives to provide an inclusive environment for all its employees. For example, VCU has an institutional membership to the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity. The Department of Psychology, which will be the home for this position, is a diverse department with over 50 faculty members from varying backgrounds, and serves a diverse student body of over 1,500 undergraduate students and over 120 graduate students. The Psychology Department is also home to the Committee for the Promotion of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, which serves to address department needs and concerns, as well as advocate for faculty, students, and staff. The EDGE Lab has developed an integrated training environment that promotes diversity at all levels, and of special note is home to an NIH / NIAAA -funded R25 to promote research training experiences for students from backgrounds typically underrepresented in the biomedical sciences. Finally, trainees will benefit from career enrichment programs sponsored by the Offices of the Vice President for Research and Postdoctoral Affairs, including sessions on mentoring, scientific leadership, and manuscript and grant preparation. The EDGE Lab has a successful track record of NIH Individual National Research Service Awards (F31 and F32), Career Development Awards, and Diversity Supplements; and participates in an NIH / NIMH -funded T32 training program in Psychiatric and Statistical Genetics that provides additional training, research, and career development opportunities. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public university located in Virginia’s capital city, Richmond. Located on the James River and within 2 hours of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia Beach, and Washington DC, Richmond provides many opportunities for a meaningful work/life balance.

Health and dental benefits provided for postdoctoral positions can be viewed at https://research.vcu.edu/postdoc/health.htm.

Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Quick Link https://www.vcujobs.com/postings/101026 Supplemental Questions

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Optional & Required Documents
Required Documents

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
2. Other Document

Optional Documents