Postdoctoral Research Fellow

McLean Hospital; Belmont (MA); On-site; USD 2,100 - 3,120,000; Full time

Job summary

McLean Hospital, a renowned psychiatric hospital in the Boston area, is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Clinical Psychology to join an NIH-funded PTSD study. The fellow will deliver Written Exposure Therapy (WET) to PTSD participants, under supervision and with formal WET training supplied at the start.

The two-year fellowship emphasizes independent work under supervision, collaboration with Harvard Medical School partners, and opportunities for manuscript preparation and grant

Qualifications

• PhD or PsyD in Clinical Psychology completed by the anticipated start date.
• Experience working with individuals with PTSD or other trauma-related disorders is strongly preferred.
• Prior clinical and research experience is required; WET training will be provided at the start of the fellowship.

Responsibilities

• Deliver Written Exposure Therapy (WET) to research participants with PTSD according to the study protocol.
• Participate in initial WET training and ongoing clinical supervision.
• Maintain fidelity to the WET treatment protocol and document treatment sessions and research records.
• Monitor participant safety and report concerns to study personnel.
• Collaborate with study clinicians, research staff, and the Principal Investigator.
• Contribute to interpretation and dissemination of study findings and manuscripts.

Skills

Clinical skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

PhD or PsyD in Clinical Psychology

Job description

Site: The McLean Hospital Corporation

Mass General Brigham relies on a wide range of professionals, including doctors, nurses, business people, tech experts, researchers, and systems analysts to advance our mission. As a not-for-profit, we support patient care, research, teaching, and community service, striving to provide exceptional care. We believe that high-performing teams drive groundbreaking medical discoveries and invite all applicants to join us and experience what it means to be part of Mass General Brigham.

Job Summary

Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Clinical Psychology / PTSD

McLean Hospital is a comprehensive psychiatric hospital committed to providing easy access to superior quality, cost-effective mental health services in the Boston area, Massachusetts, and beyond. Since 1811, McLean Hospital has been a world leader in the treatment of mental illness and chemical dependency, research into the causes of mental illness, and the training of generations of mental health care providers. All McLean team members are expected to consistently demonstrate our values of integrity, compassion, respect, diversity, teamwork, excellence, and innovation in their work activities and interactions. A Postdoctoral Research Fellow typically holds affiliations at McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School. There are many opportunities for education and professional growth within our multidisciplinary and collaborative research environment at McLean Hospital, which brings together clinicians, psychologists, neuroscientists, engineers, and statisticians.

Job Description

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Clinical Psychology to join an NIH-funded clinical research study focused on the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

This is a two-year position, with the possibility of extension based on performance and mutual interest.

The fellow will work on the TREAT study (Trauma Recovery via EEG and Actigraphy Tracking), a randomized clinical study investigating treatment response in individuals with PTSD.

The fellow's primary responsibility will be to deliver Written Exposure Therapy (WET) to study participants according to the established treatment protocol. Formal training in Written Exposure Therapy will be provided by an expert in WET at the beginning of the fellowship, followed by ongoing clinical supervision and fidelity monitoring throughout the study.

Responsibilities

• Delivering Written Exposure Therapy (WET) to research participants with PTSD according to the study protocol.


• Participating in initial WET training provided by an expert in the intervention.


• Maintaining fidelity to the WET treatment protocol and participating in ongoing clinical supervision and fidelity monitoring.


• Maintaining accurate and timely documentation of treatment sessions and relevant clinical research records.


• Monitoring participant safety during treatment sessions and following established study procedures for communicating clinical or safety concerns to appropriate study personnel.


• Participating in clinical and research team meetings related to the study.


• Collaborating effectively with study clinicians, research staff, and the Principal Investigator.


• Contributing to the interpretation and dissemination of study findings.


• Presenting research findings at laboratory meetings and national or international scientific conferences.


• Contributing to and leading preparation of research manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals.


• Assisting with preparation of grant applications and development of future research projects.


• Participating in professional development and research training opportunities available through McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School.


• Other duties as assigned.

A Successful Candidate Will

• Work independently under the general direction of the Principal Investigator and clinical supervisors.


• Be motivated, reliable, organized, and detail-oriented.


• Demonstrate strong clinical skills and professionalism when working with individuals with PTSD.


• Demonstrate interest in trauma-focused psychotherapy and PTSD research.


• Be able to learn and consistently implement a manualized psychotherapy protocol.


• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills.


• Possess strong written and oral scientific communication skills.


• Demonstrate good clinical judgment and the ability to appropriately communicate clinical or safety concerns.


• Work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary clinical research team.


• Demonstrate interest in developing their research and academic career through publications, presentations, and grant development.

Qualifications

Education

PhD or PsyD in Clinical Psychology completed by the anticipated start date.

Candidates should have appropriate clinical training and experience providing psychotherapy. Experience working with individuals with PTSD or other trauma-related disorders is strongly preferred.

Experience

Prior clinical and research experience is required. Candidates should demonstrate scientific productivity through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, or other scholarly activities.

Prior experience with Written Exposure Therapy is not required. Formal WET training will be provided by an expert at the beginning of the fellowship, with ongoing supervision throughout the study.

Experience with PTSD, trauma-focused psychotherapy, exposure-based interventions, or clinical trials is preferred.

Supervisory Responsibility

The fellow may assist in mentoring research assistants, students, and other trainees involved in related laboratory research activities.

Working Conditions

Work will be performed within a multidisciplinary clinical research environment at McLean Hospital. The position involves direct interaction with research participants with PTSD and requires professionalism, reliability, careful adherence to treatment protocols, and collaboration with the study's clinical and research teams.

Some scheduling flexibility may be required to accommodate participants' treatment sessions.

Application

• A cover letter limited to one page, including one paragraph describing why this position and the TREAT study are a good fit for their future career goals


• Curriculum vitae


• Contact information for three professional references


• At least one first-author peer-reviewed publication (published or in press)

Additional Job Details

Physical Requirements

• Standing Frequently


• Walking Frequently


• Sitting Occasionally


• Lifting Frequently


• Carrying Frequently


• Pushing Occasionally


• Pulling Occasionally


• Climbing Rarely


• Balancing Frequently


• Stooping Occasionally


• Kneeling Occasionally


• Crouching Occasionally


• Crawling Rarely


• Reaching Frequently


• Gross Manipulation (Handling) Frequently


• Fine Manipulation (Fingering) Frequently


• Feeling Constantly


• Foot Use Rarely


• Vision - Far Constantly


• Vision - Near Constantly


• Talking Constantly


• Hearing Constantly

Remote Type

Onsite

Work Location

115 Mill Street

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Employee Type

Regular

Work Shift

Day (United States of America)

EEO Statement

1600 The McLean Hospital Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. To ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Veteran's Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants who require accommodation in the job application process may contact Human Resources at (857)-282-7642.

Mass General Brigham Competency Framework

At Mass General Brigham, our competency framework defines what effective leadership \"looks like\" by specifying which behaviors are most critical for successful performance at each job level. The framework is comprised of ten competencies (half People-Focused, half Performance-Focused) and are defined by observable and measurable skills and behaviors that contribute to workplace effectiveness and career success. These competencies are used to evaluate performance, make hiring decisions, identify development needs, mobilize employees across our system, and establish a strong talent pipeline.

Salary and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $2,080 to $3,120,000 annually.

In addition to competitive base pay, we offer comprehensive benefits, career advancement opportunities, differentials, premiums, and bonuses as applicable, along with recognition programs designed to celebrate your contributions and support your professional growth. We invite candidates to apply, and our Talent Acquisition team will provide an overview of their potential compensation and benefits package.