Research Scholar (Postdoctoral Fellowship)

Northern California Institute for Research and Education; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern California Institute for Research and Education in San Francisco invites applications for a two-year Post-Doctoral Advanced Fellowship in Mental Health Research and Treatment focusing on dementia, cognitive health, and geriatric neuropsychiatry.

The program trains MDs and allied professionals in clinical research and care delivery, with 75% dedicated to research and 25% to clinical training, under mentors from UCSF and SFVA, and includes opportunities for grant development and

Qualifications

• MDs in psychiatry, neurology, geriatrics or related fields; psychologists/neuropsychologists or other allied health professionals are eligible.
• Interest in dementia, cognitive health and geriatric neuropsychiatry with research orientation.
• Willingness to train in clinical research and clinical care service delivery with dedicated time for research.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute dementia and cognitive aging research studies.
• Write manuscripts for peer reviewed publications and develop conference presentations.
• Contribute to grant development and collaborate with SFVA/UCSF investigators.
• Balance 75% research/education activities with 25% clinical training.

Job description

Dr. Kristine Yaffe and the Center for Population Brain Health are recruiting for a two-year Post-Doctoral Advanced Fellowship Program in Mental Health Research and Treatment with a focus on dementia, cognitive health, and geriatric neuropsychiatry. This fellowship is associated with the Sierra Pacific Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center at the San Francisco VA Health Care System (MIRECC; VISN 21) and affiliated with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).

The primary goal of the fellowship is to train MDs in psychiatry, neurology, geriatrics or related fields; psychologists/neuropsychologists; or other allied health professionals to become leading clinical researchers in the areas of Alzheimer disease and Alzheimer disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD), cognitive aging, brain health, and geriatric neuropsychiatry. Over the course of the 2-year program, fellows are trained in clinical research and clinical care service delivery devoting 75% time to research and educational activities including didactics and career development seminars and 25% to clinical training. Fellows will be responsible for driving innovative research projects while also gaining clinical and translational research experience/skills and training to become an independent investigator.

The candidate will have the opportunity to collaborate with SFVA/UCSF investigators and participate in didactic sessions. Under the mentorship of Dr. Kristine Yaffe, the scholar will design and execute dementia and cognitive aging research studies, write manuscripts for peer reviewed publications, develop, presentations for conferences and meetings, and contribute to grant development. Potential projects may be focused on social determinants of brain health as well as modifiable risk factors of cognitive aging and AD/ADRD including traumatic brain injury, PTSD, depression, cardiovascular risk factors, and sleep. Ideal applicants would have particular interest in expanding expertise in population-based health.

Faculty mentors are affiliated with the SFVA Research and Mental Health services, the UCSF Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Neurology, and Epidemiology and Biostatistics, the SFVA/UCSF Center for Population Brain Health (CPBH), and the Global Brain Health Institute. We are a multidisciplinary group of clinical researchers, dedicated to the advancement of brain heath across the lifespan. The fellowship is funded by the Office of Academic Affiliations (OAA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

The application deadline is November 15, 2026.

VA Onboarding Requirements:

NCIRE is an affiliate organization of the San Francisco VA Health Care System (SFVAHCS), which requires all candidates to complete SFVA onboarding in addition to NCIRE's onboarding process. The SFVA is a federal agency that requires a federal background check, occupational health clearance, vaccines and immunizations, and drug testing for certain positions. Drug testing may include screening for marijuana which remains an illegal substance according to federal law. The failure to pass required drug testing will disqualify candidates from employment.

The base wage range for this position is $70,304.00 - $79639.96 per year. The wage actually offered to a successful candidate will take into account various relevant and non-discriminatory business factors including, without limitation, the candidate's geographic location, job-related experience, knowledge, and skills, and education, as well as internal equity considerations. A successful candidate may also be eligible to earn additional compensation including bonuses.

NCIRE is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This position requires access to United States Government research under the Veterans Administration. Per Veterans Administration regulations surrounding access to US research, qualified US Citizens will be selected over other individuals eligible to work in the United States. If you are eligible to work in the United States, you may still be considered for this position but only if no qualified US citizens apply.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.