The Treatment Innovation for Psychological Services (TIPS) Research Group in the Psychology department of the College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Kentucky, in Lexington, KY is seeking two full-time postdoctoral scholars. The scholars will be hired for an in-person, full-time, 1-year position, with the possibility of extending into a 2nd year contingent on funding and scholars’ progress. The scholars will be co-mentored by both Drs. Shannon Sauer-Zavala (at UK) and Matt Southward (at Ohio State University). 

 

The postdoctoral scholars will primarily be involved in the treatment, assessment, and analyses of our NIMH-funded clinical trial, “Engaging Higher Order Mechanisms of Psychopathology: A Parsimonious Approach to Precision Medicine.” We are testing if discrete cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) modules can engage higher-order personality vulnerabilities (neuroticism, antagonism, disinhibition) and if matching modules to patients’ personality profiles results in efficient improvements in psychopathology symptoms (learn more about our project here). Postdoctoral scholars will serve as study therapists or study assessors, which will provide supervised hours for clinical licensure. They will have the opportunity to participate in tiered supervision of graduate student clinicians and provide research mentorship to the group’s graduate students and post-baccalaureate project coordinators. Postdoctoral scholars will typically have 20 hours per week of protected time for scholarly activities (manuscript preparation, grant writing) with access to ample archival data from two completed and two ongoing clinical trials examining the mechanisms and personalization of CBT to support this work. 

  

A PhD in Clinical Psychology (APA- and/or PCSAS-accredited) is required. Experience with CBT interventions (experience treating borderline personality disorder is a plus!) and/or diagnostic assessment is required. Research interest in dimensional models of psychopathology, personality science, and treatment outcome research would be an excellent fit with the lab’s work. We envision these positions as ideal for people preparing for clinical research careers in universities or academic medical centers.

 Applicants must include the following: 1) Cover letter describing fit with the position and training/career goals, and 2) CV. In addition, please email the names and contact information for 3 professional references to Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala (ssz@uky.edu).

 

Review of applications will begin November 1st, 2024. Applications received after that date will be reviewed until the position(s) are filled.